Although the overall U.S. job market remains sluggish, the story is different for those with IT skills. Businesses of all sizes are seeking qualified talent in the areas of big data, unified communications, mobile-device management and other burgeoning technologies.
For much sought-after IT professionals, the environment in which they work—particularly corporate leadership—is crucial. IT pros should consider this when accepting jobs. How much they like their jobs could have much to do with how the companies they work for are run.
Job and career site Glassdoor presented its employee-centric workplace rating system, which could delineate the difference between a professional paradise or a perfunctory purgatory. On Glassdoor’s 2014 list of the highest-rated chief executives at large companies, the top CEOs represent diverse industries, including tech, auto manufacturing, public relations and retail.
Glassdoor’s 2014 list of the 25 highest-rated CEOs at small and midsized companies includes three CEOs at leading tech companies that provide software to help organizations manage and grow business. The list of leading small- and midsize-business (SMB) executives also includes the chiefs of real estate site Zillow, IT health firm Castlight Health and marketing software specialist Hubspot.
Intacct’s Robert Reid, Applied Predictive Technologies’ Anthony Bruce, Paylocity’s Steve Beauchamp, SirsiDynix’s Bill Davison and 2U’s Chip Paucek were the top-five best-rated chiefs of small businesses.
The top-rated CEO on Glassdoor’s 2013 report, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, dropped to No. 10 on the 2014 report, with a 93 percent approval rating, down 6 percentage points.
Of CEOs appearing on Glassdoor’s 2013 and 2014 reports, Goldman Sachs’ Lloyd Blankfein has seen the most improvement, jumping 28 spots from No. 36 on the 2013 report to No. 8 on the 2014 report, with a 94 percent approval rating, increasing 9 percentage points since last year.
Jeff Weiner’s guidance of business networking behemoth LinkedIn led to a 100 percent approval rating—an achievement that will likely lead to even more current employees leveraging the benefits of the site.
“We find on Glassdoor that a strong leader is often one who has the ability to clearly communicate the vision for the company and who helps employees see how their work connects to the big picture. In addition, top-rated CEOs are commonly seen as relatable, accessible and transparent,” Robert Hohman, Glassdoor CEO and co-founder, said in a statement. “I offer my sincerest congratulations to all CEOs recognized on the 2014 Glassdoor report. It is no small feat to gain the support of your employees for your leadership.”