Careers Slideshow: Tech Jobs: Outlook Brightens for Second-Half 2012

Gauging the overall health of the IT jobs market is always tricky. Seemingly conflicting reports are issued every month predicting everything from dire hiring stagnation to cautious optimism. The latest report from tech recruiter Dice.com leans toward the brighter side when it comes to the tech jobs outlook for second-half 2012. From May 14 to May 18, 2012, Dice surveyed human resource managers, recruiters, consulting and staffing companies from every region of the country who primarily hire or recruit technology professionals. More than 800 responded to the survey, with 45 percent identified as recruiting for their own needs. Of that group, 35 percent had more than 500 employees. Here are nine highlights from the survey.