The job market for IT professions is constantly expanding, so now is a good time to step forward. Whether you have experience in the field or not, here's how to increase your chances of getting a job in this field.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Embarking on an IT Career
Step 1. Get the right qualifications
When an employer reads your resume, look for evidence that you are able to apply yourself, have the ability to learn, and have experience in the functional area you are applying for. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to demonstrate to employers that you have certain skills. If you know how to use Prince2 or are a qualified ISO9001 auditor, be sure to include this in your CV. Do you feel you have gaps between your IT qualifications? Then do something about it. Don't let this get in your way during interviews.
Step 2. Know your ITIL
Today, almost any IT-oriented enterprise, especially medium and large ones, will require you to be familiar with ITIL. If you are not qualified at least as far as its basic level is concerned, then your resume will be discarded. The ITIL v3 Foundation Level is the initial qualification that gives professionals a general understanding of the key elements, concepts and terminology used in the ITIL Service Lifecycle, including the links between the Lifecycle phases, the processes used and their contribution to the practices of Service Management.
Step 3. Be aggressive in your job search
One of the most common ways nowadays is to apply online through sites like monster.com. On these pages, you will find numerous job advertisements.
Tip: Write down the job you are applying for, especially the name of the person who posted the ad. Make sure you look up his phone number as well. While not many do, you can call a company's main number to speak to this person. Wait 24 hours after sending the resume and then make a call. Ask if they have received the CV and if they can give you some more information about your role. Your resume will emerge from the huge pile that has formed with all the applications and will be placed on top. This is a very effective way to get through the first skimming phase. Remember that hiring agents receive hundreds of CVs a day. All they want are roughly five resumes to consider. Once they have them, they will discard the rest
Step 4. Prepare a quality resume
The CV is your marketing brochure. If it's unconvincing, contains spelling and grammatical errors, or there are too many pages, then you're already at a disadvantage.
Step 5. Start networking
This is undoubtedly the most popular and widespread way to get a job nowadays. Networking comes in various forms. The most obvious is to attend job fairs, seminars and conferences and meet new people. Make sure your colleagues know who you are. Obviously, a stereotypical professional figure in the IT sector usually does not have certain character traits. If you have them, then take advantage of this method to make your way. If you don't have them, then a more subtle, low-key approach involves signing up on a professional social network like LinkedIn ([1]). This page has become very popular for companies to hire new employees directly, without resorting to hiring agencies. Check out the jobs section and include this strategy in your marketing plan. This site allows you to effectively build your profile and have a personalized CV on the internet.
Step 6. Don't give up
The truth is that, despite your best efforts, your applications will likely be rejected often, that you do not make the final selection for the interview, or that you are not selected after the first meeting. Always be proactive and courageous. Call the hiring manager and ask him why you weren't chosen. Be bold enough to ask what you could improve on. This doesn't always work because these professionals actually aim to get on with their work, but, if you've built a relationship with an agency representing a business, then the people who work there will be more willing to give you free advice.. If you are selected for an interview, consider it a good sign. In fact, apparently your resume works. Ask for feedback and learn from the interview process. Go through these lessons on your own to understand what you did well and what you did wrong and practice to do better next time. The IT industry job market is currently competitive, but there are many good roles to fill and employers looking for good candidates. Stay positive, improve your resume, practice excellent interview techniques, and keep applying for various jobs.
Part 2 of 4: The Labor Market
Step 1. Do a field research
The first thing you need to think about is what exact type of work you want to do. Each profession has its own special requirements, so you should evaluate your skills and then decide which position is best for you. Also consider the law of supply and demand. Don't forget that traditional online programming and support jobs are moving to places like China and India. However, new jobs are emerging, such as Business Analysis, Testing and Compliance. Read the section “Types of IT Jobs” to know the most common ones.
Step 2. Correct your resume
You will need to add a section called “Skills”, which will be a list of all the skills you have acquired with computers. You might also mention something about IT in the "Interests" or "Hobbies" section. Make sure your CV looks extremely professional and free of grammatical and spelling errors.
Step 3. Get in touch with a staffing agency for various businesses to expose yourself to computer-related jobs in your area
Companies often don't have the time or inclination to post ads or fill positions themselves, so they rely on an agency to do it for them. Write a resume, call your local agency directly, and explain that you want to fill a position in the IT industry.
Don't be too picky about the agency's offers. If they offer you a vacancy, accept it. You can always find a more satisfying, better-paid job once you gain some experience
Step 4. Temporary positions
The chances of getting a job with no previous experience are slim. These jobs offer no benefits, but they allow you to become familiar with the industry and receive a salary.
After 90 days, you are NOT required to continue doing this job if it is not right for you. Notify the agency to help you find another location. Once you gain experience working for them and build a good reputation, it will be easier to get a job somewhere else
Step 5. Network
Find out what places professionals in the sector go to. You will be surprised to find that you can get so much information just by talking to these people. You may also find that this is not the right field for you.
Part 3 of 4: Education
Step 1. Play and experiment
Sit in front of the computer and play with it to see how far you can go. This is a great way to learn new programs, but it's not the best way to learn how to configure an operating system or write programs. At least though, it serves to make you feel comfortable with the car.
Step 2. Find a mentor
You probably know someone who knows more about computers than you do. Learn from this person. Once you have absorbed certain knowledge, turn to someone else even more experienced. Soon, you will be the one who knows everything and people will look for you.
Step 3. Read a book or browse a website
There are pages that teach you to do practically everything with your computer, from the basics to advanced programming. If you google a specific problem, you will surely find an answer. If you want to find general computer advice, just type "computer advice", or similar phrases, on the search engine.
Step 4. Get certified
Some companies that offer software (Red Hat, Sun, Microsoft, Oracle, and many others) may also submit paid official exams. As they don't teach you anything and only test your knowledge, this is often a very cheap option when compared to paid courses. If you take an exam, you can prove your understanding of technologies, which will be enjoyed by many businesses.
Step 5. Take a job training
If you already have a job in the IT world but you want a better one, contact someone in your company to learn from or participate in new projects capable of teaching you something. It will be tough at first, but your skills will improve and you will become eligible for promotions or to fill better positions in other companies.
Step 6. Take a course
This is the most obvious approach, but many people have had long careers in the information technology industry without any formal training. However, not all computer skills can be self-taught and more and more students are enrolling at university to pursue this course of study. As a result, the high competition will make things more complicated for those without a title. A bachelor's degree, certified course, or specialized certification such as the MCSE will greatly improve your chances.
Part 4 of 4: Jobs in the Information Technology Field
- Data entry - this work can be done by practically anyone. It consists in taking the information contained in an archive and transcribing it on the computer. Many people who started in this role have grown to high positions in IT departments, but this was more the case in the past, today it is difficult.
- Secretarial / administrative work - this position implies some basic knowledge of office management. Not only do you need to understand the fundamentals of using computers and some applications, you generally also need to be able to perform tasks such as writing dictation, answering the phone, writing letters and keeping everything organized. In terms of computer skills, at least one must know how to use account writing and management programs and databases. People in this role can often become managers, meeting organizers or members of the human resources department. Of course, it is also possible to switch to the mainstream IT areas, particularly QA and Testing.
- Power User - it is not so much a position as a status of an extremely experienced user of (typically) Microsoft Office and similar tools. Advanced users become familiar with computer programming by starting with programming Excel macros and Access databases. They can play a very important role in small businesses by learning these skills and also start working as consultants at other companies earning quite well from the start.
- Customer Service / Telephone Sales - these positions usually place more emphasis on telephone skills than computer skills, but you need to know how to use the computer at least a little.
- Technical support (production support) - most companies consider technical support as a basic job in the IT industry. You need to know the operating systems and the basics of the programs linked to the product. The good news is that the company will teach you everything there is to know about its production - all you have to do is learn. Being successful in this industry requires good problem-solving skills and excellent attention to detail. Technical support and problem management is a rapidly growing area. Users now rely heavily on support lines, international service centers and this type of service.
- Product quality control engineer - this professional figure should have the same knowledge as the best technical support staff. He must be able to solve problems, be a detective, and sometimes even a customer service representative. In addition, he must have some basic programming skills, as more and more companies are starting to focus on automatic testing. The best engineers understand every aspect of computers, from construction to programming.
- Software Engineer (Developer or Programmer) - To get a job at a company like Microsoft or Google, you need a computer science degree and a detailed understanding of the industry. However, filling this position in a smaller company is easier. What you need to know is the program in which it will be programmed. It is also important to be familiar with the fundamentals of the database and, if programming for Windows, with the Windows API. Knowing more than one programming language is very helpful. Understanding many of the basics of computer science (for example linked lists or object-oriented programming) will be essential to demonstrate your competence.
- Business Analyst (systems analyst or analyst, analyst / programmer or user analyst)- this is a relatively recent title, but the role has been around for some time. It is possible to fill this role with a mix of business and IT skills. Consider what the company is really looking for. A good professional should know the process from start to finish. This figure mainly represents the connection between the business and the developers. To get this job, you also need to have a good knowledge of economics. So, if you can learn from the work you do and take the right course, you can be successful in this industry.
- Tester (Test Manager) - this position does not seem attractive, but many employers consider it very important. It is often an easy gateway to a job in information technology but it is not an especially desired profession. However, when it takes place, you truly understand the whole process and can move on to a more prestigious position, such as in Compliance or Management. But remember that usually the test manager is the one to blame if the implementation goes wrong.
- Graphic Designer - a graphic designer creates digital art works for a company: logos, advertising brochures and websites.
- Database administrator / programmer - database specialists are often software engineers, but not all software engineers work with databases, and some database specialists have not received training in software engineering or computer science. These professionals receive high rewards and have some influence in IT businesses. Some of them start by programming Access databases, they pass to the SQL Server and then to Oracle through specific certifications. Once in this role, you can move on to data architecture and systems analysis.
- MIS / Network administration / User support - MIS (Management of Information Systems) is responsible for making sure that a company's computer network always works well. This includes various tasks, from showing users how to send an email to update or repair computers and to manage network resources, such as servers, printers and internet firewalls. For user support positions, you need to be familiar with the operating systems used in the network computers and the network itself. It is also necessary to know the fundamentals of repairing hardware, internet and applications running on the network. Larger companies prefer their MIS staff to have (or, at least, are taking) special certifications that prove their knowledge.
- Technical Writer (technical author, documentation analyst) - to fill this position, you need to understand the basics of information technology and the product you are writing about. You also need to know the programs used to write, such as Word, publishing software, web languages such as HTML and all the tools needed for editing. It is essential to be a good writer (or to persuade others that you are). The best technical writers tend to be former (or not) journalists or teachers. The latter often have a good reputation in the IT field, possibly due to their presentation and management skills.
- Compliance - this is a rapidly growing area for reasons ranging from corporate exposure to exorbitant payments to rule-breaking government authorities. To enter this area, one must show an interest in controlling what others are doing and making the rules. Employers are primarily interested in your knowledge of IT processes (for example, how the accounts receivable system works). These departments generally have large budgets.
- Medicine / Imaging - there are so many new jobs for computer savvy people in the field of medicine. Computed tomography, positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance scanners are all characterized by complex software, which should be operated by people with good computer skills.
- Production analyst - another key position. These professionals manage the systems and give the ok to systems written by developers. If you like to have power, this is the job for you.
- Computer Manager (Project Leader, Executive Director, Vice President) - there are probably more jobs of this kind in the IT industry than anywhere else, so don't rule them out. The industry is expanding and changing, especially now that so much of the real work is being done in India! Remember that these professionals make a lot of money. The key job of an IT manager is to convince users to continue funding IT projects.
- Computer Contractor - although it is not a recent role, the demand is still high. This figure usually corresponds to an experienced professional, but not to a manager. His typical role includes that of Business Analyst, Tester and Developer. Remember that many IT teams are predominantly made up of these professionals, who can make good money in booming economies.
- Onshore Consultant - generally it is a senior position, but held in a foreign country. This professional can fill any role, from Senior Manager to Developer. An example of an Onshore Consultant is a Chinese or Pakistani professional working in Canada.
- Offshore Consultant - a figure in full development. This professional works in his country and gets the job from abroad.
Advice
- Software certifications are a way to prove your knowledge of industry standards and have an advantage instead of having to gain years of experience to prove your skills. These certifications exist for Microsoft's operating systems and products, but also for the most common databases and, fortunately, they are now also emerging for Linux. Contact a training center to learn more about training and the associated costs for a Linux certification.
- Learn to use as many operating systems as possible. With the growing Macintosh and Linux markets and an apparent shortage of professionals in these areas, knowing multiple operating systems, in addition to Windows, will give you a competitive edge in the technical job market.
- A good all-round tutorial for using computers is “The Secret Guide to Computers,” by Russ Walter. It is a good manual to start learning more, but instead of focusing on a particular topic, it includes information on almost any computer subject, from buying a computer to the basics of programming in different languages. If you are self-taught to become a software engineer, read Sams Publishing's "Teach Yourself in 21 Days" series, Deitel & Deitel's "How to Program" series, or Sybex's "No Experience Required" series..
- The hottest languages for programmers are Java, C / C ++, Visual Basic, PHP, Perl and C #. Preferred languages change often, so click on the Tiobe index and other similar review sites for current popularity.
- It really helps a lot to get to know someone on the inside. If you ask a friend who works in a business to turn in your resume, the company is likely to conduct an interview out of courtesy, even if the resume doesn't match what they're looking for. However, during the meeting, you can show what you know. Be prepared to ask them questions and not put untrue knowledge on the resume.
- If you live in the United States and have not completed your degree, you can enroll in a junior college. Most of them offer certified programs to work in computer support, networking and programming. You would take pretty much the same courses as college and get a computer science degree, but the certified program excludes unrelated courses. This is a great way to have a good educational background in the industry and cheaper than enrolling in a technical school.
- Enrolling in college will give you a much better chance of getting a job. It is the best investment you can make.
- Business and communication skills are considered very important by employers. Programmers who are able to express themselves correctly both verbally and by writing have a competitive advantage in the job market. Those with an MBA appear even more desirable in the eyes of the hirer.
Warnings
- Of course you will have to know how to use the computer, so try to become familiar with the three major operating systems, namely Mac, Linux and Windows, otherwise, you risk precluding yourself from the possibilities.
- You could lose a lot of money if the company you are taking a course with does not issue an official certification. Typically, only the owner or publisher of the technology can issue a serious certificate.
- Once you get hired, don't relax. Keep learning. This industry is constantly evolving. If you don't move with her, you will be replaced by someone who will.
- Relational skills are also important in this sector and the policies of the place where you work must be respected.
