NEW YORK (FORTUNE) - Dear Annie: Everything I hear and read these days about the job market suggests that employers in general are planning to do a lot of hiring this year, but does that include tech jobs too? I've lost two high-level programming jobs to outsourcing in the past three years, and I'm wondering if I should just give up and change fields. --Silicon Sam

Dear Sam: The job market for techies is still struggling to recover from the dot-com bust of five years ago, and it may never bounce back all the way, Still the outlook isn't all bad.

First, layoffs are slowing, according to research by Chicago career-services firm Challenger Gray & Christmas. Tech companies announced in the fourth quarter of 2005 that they would eliminate 34,048 jobs, a decrease of 18% from the previous quarter -- and an eye-catching 41% drop from the number of layoffs (57,686) in the same period of 2004.

Second, "many companies are expecting their spending on technology to rise significantly in 2006, which will lead to increased hiring," says John Challenger, the firm's chief.

One interesting note: Challenger's figures show that, for all of 2005, tech job losses caused by mergers shot up 800%. As telecommunications, computer, and electronics companies acquired each other, they shed 174,444 jobs -- a huge jump from 2004, when just 6,115 layoffs resulted from mergers.

"You might assume from media coverage that offshore outsourcing would be the biggest cause of tech-sector job loss, but those cuts were minor compared to the fallout from corporate marriages," observes Challenger.

He also points out that, as companies' priorities and strategies shift, "hiring and firing often occur simultaneously. They will lay off people in areas where revenues are slowing, while adding staff in faster-growing parts of the business."

So, Sam, here's a tip: If you decide to stick with IT, get a job with a fast-growing outfit -- and then hope nobody comes along and acquires it.

Dear Annie: I've been tapped for a big new job at my company, and I'm in the process of negotiating my compensation package. In the past, I've heard the men around here, including my potential new boss, say they think married women should earn less than their husbands. (They all have stay-at-home wives.)

My colleagues know that my husband works for a Fortune 100 company, although his job is at a lower level than mine, and in negotiations, the subject of his pay has come up. My theory is that the work requirements drive the pay. Any suggestions on how to handle this? --Just Rita

Dear JR: Are you kidding me? Where exactly is this company located --1955? And how exactly does the subject of your husband's pay come up? It is totally irrelevant to your negotiations.

Moreover, the notion that the job determines the pay is not just a "theory," it's federal law. Sex-based wage discrimination has been illegal since Congress passed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (which was followed, and reinforced, by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972).

Surely the people you're negotiating with know this, whether they like it or not. The next time someone brings up the subject of your husband's pay, here is what you say: "Excuse me, there's something I'm not quite getting here. Can you explain to me why it matters what my husband makes? He won't be the one doing this job."

And stick to your guns. If you let these Neanderthals cheat you out of your true market value, you're making a huge mistake -- and they're unlikely to respect you for it.

Dear Annie: How can you tell when you're being edged out of your job? My division reorganized about a year ago and, ever since, I've been feeling less and less valued by my boss (and his boss).

First, several people who used to report to me were promoted to my same level so that, from managing a staff of eight, I'm now down to one direct report, who is my assistant. Then, three or four major responsibilities of mine were taken away and given to others. I have been trying since last September to sit down with my boss and talk about my role and my future here, but he has cancelled every appointment (five, so far).

My friends tell me not to worry about it, the boss is just busy, I'm being paranoid, etc. But what do you think? Should I start looking for another job? --Odd Man Out

Dear OMO: I would start job hunting if I were you, and the sooner the better. Having direct reports taken away is a bad sign. Losing major areas of responsibility is an even worse one. But the clincher is your boss's evident reluctance to talk with you.

Your friends are sweet to try to reassure you, but come on. You've been trying for five months to set up a meeting? Nobody's that busy. As a highly experienced executive coach once told me, "If the people above you don't want to talk to you about your future with the company, it almost always means you don't have one."

So yes, update your resume, get in touch with people in your network, and hit the job boards. It's always easier to find a job when you've already got one and, in your case, that may not be too much longer.

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