The ICT sector is one of most attractive sectors for employment in Azerbaijan

He said the development of information technologies in Azerbaijan in recent years has created a boom in professions regarding information technology and managerial positions in companies operating in the field of ICT.

He said while the average salary is 297 manat in the country as of June 2009, the corresponding figures for the ICT sector exceeds this figure approximately 1.5-2 times. On average, high-skilled specialists earn  1,000-2,000 manat per month. The average is about 500-600 manat.

Kazimov said according to the attractiveness rating based on data received from the recruiting agencies Allianz Group and the GDG professionals, Azercell, Azerfon and Bakcell rank in the
first place for the attractiveness of employment is the sector of mobile communications.

According to the data,  Azerfon enjoys most popular among the young and highly skilled managers. Recruitment agencies says major reasons for Azerfon’s popularity as an employer is a possibility of career advancement, good salary and social packages.

Kazimov said  that interest in mobile network operators as employers is objectively understandable at present. After the oil companies in the late 90's and the banking sector in the first half of 2000, mobile operators represents “the next wave” for employment as these organizations are built on international corporate standards and they have opportunity for horizontal and vertical growth. Therefore, mobile operators such as Azerfon, which is at a stage of rapid growth, has more demand for qualified staff. The company is very attractive for young, educated and ambitious specialists. Moreover, now Azerfon became more popular as a employer after signing of a cooperation agreement with Vodafone.

Due to the fact that the Azerbaijani IT companies (software, computer equipment sales, service providers) are actually small and medium businesses and already have established labor groups, it is much more difficult to make a career in such companies. There is high demand for high-level specialists in such companies.

Kazimov also warned new careerists of lack of discipline as the practice shows that ambitions and competence of young or middle-level specialist diverge in 60 percent of cases. “High ambitions should be primarily based on the skills and desire for knowledge. Only then these professionals will be in demand in many companies from the ICT sector, including in AZEL, Azerfon, Azercell, Bakcell, BM Texnologiya SINAM and ULTRA,” the expert said.