The nation's employers say they plan to hire more tech professionals in the second half of the year, but finding the talent to fill open positions still frustrates recruiters.

That's what hiring managers and recruiters said in the most recent hiring report by technology careers website Dice.com.

In Dice's findings, released Thursday, respondents said some positions are staying open for months because of a shortage of qualified tech pros.

Respondents said the time to fill the position is lengthening, with 63 percent of those who said so citing a shallow talent pool as the reason.

Less than half of respondents – 46 percent – said they felt that way six months ago.

Positions demanding Java experience remain the most difficult to fill across geographic regions, hiring officials said in the Dice survey.

That was followed by techs with .net skills, mobile developers and those with SAP software skills.

In the West, though, demand is also great for skills in the Web application Ruby on Rails, and for database administrators. That puts technology professionals with experience at an advantage, said Tom Silver, a Dice senior vice president.

Most companies are seeking information technology professionals with six to 10 years' experience, so job seekers can negotiate better salary deals.

Nearly half of hiring managers and recruiters said pay was increasing for the newly hired. That was up from 29 percent six months ago.

"Now is the time to ask for more money," Silver said in comments announcing the report. "Negotiate hard at the outset of a new job because that initial salary may set the base for the next three years."

Dice queried nearly 900 hiring managers and recruiters who recruit and hire information technology professionals in its survey. Find the report at http://news.dice.com.

Sales reps sought

Rocklin-based security systems firm Security Management Alarms is seeking independent outside sales representatives.

The full-time positions are commission-based, said owner Tom Ralston. Candidates should have sales experience and their own vehicle.

The company serves Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties.

Applicants can call the business at (916) 768-8764.

Free job fair Tuesday

Job seekers can meet regional employers and find job opportunities Tuesday at the California Job Journal's June HIREvent, at Holiday Inn Northeast in Sacramento.

Representatives from a number of businesses, agencies and nonprofits will be at the free fair, from noon to 4 p.m., 5231 Date Ave., near Madison Avenue and Interstate 80.

Employers include Verizon Wireless, CarMax and Farmers Insurance.

For more information, call the Job Journal at (888) 843-5627 or visit http://jobjournal.com.

Job-hunting questions?

Ask Terri Carpenter, one of our "Ask the Experts" writers, who answers your career questions online.

A jobs expert at the Sacramento Employment & Training Agency, Carpenter has expertise in résumé writing, job-skills training and career counseling.

To post your questions or view her advice to other job seekers, go to www.sacbee.com/ask.

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Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.

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