By Kimberly Cates
Technologies are becoming the backbone of businesses of all sizes across the world. As a result, there are a growing number of career opportunities for IT professionals. The more knowledge, experience, and qualifications you have, the easier it will be to secure a position at a forward-thinking company.
If you want to stand apart from the competition and secure your dream job, find out how to enjoy a rewarding IT career.
Choose the Right Career Path for Your Passion
The wonderful thing about technology is that it is also diverse that you can determine your own career path. All you must do is find an area that complements your interests and passion.
For example, if you love data security and want to prevent leaks and hackings that can damage or destroy businesses, you could become an information security analyst or a computer network architect and companies will pay a substantial salary for that.
Improve Your Soft Skills to Stand Out
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If you’re facing much competition in your field, you must aim to set yourself apart from the competition. While technical skills are sought after by companies, it is your soft skills that could help you to secure a new role and climb the career ladder.
Never underestimate the importance of problem-solving, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills, as they can help a business to prevent mistakes and quickly bounce back from potential problems.
Fill a Gap in the Market
Filling a gap in the market will open the door to multiple job opportunities, and could help you to advance in your career quickly. What’s more, companies will pay a substantial salary for your much-needed knowledge and experience.
For example, IT professionals wanting to secure a rewarding career should consider cyber security, which is experiencing an industry shortage. Enjoy greater job security by embarking on an accredited Cisco training course, so you will have the knowledge and qualifications to protect a business against various cyber threats.
Change Companies to Prevent Boredom
If you know a job like the back of your hand and are feeling a little too comfortable in your role, it could be time for you to change companies. Staying in the same position for many years could result in a lack of challenges, which could cause you to fall behind on the latest technologies or growing bored in your role. Don’t be afraid to move companies to continually expand your knowledge and experience.
Focus on a Company’s Bottom Line
If you want to advance in your career with each passing year, it is a smart decision to focus on the company’s bottom line. Your goal should be to identify, install and execute the best technologies for the business while finding ways to reduce their expenditure and increase their profit margin.
By doing so, you will become a valuable member of staff who is worthy of a promotion or pay raise. Aim to improve your skills by finding ways to reduce a company’s costs and generate revenue so that you will become an asset to a business.
Dress to Impress to Receive Respect
While you might not feel the need to dress up for a career in IT, how you present yourself can determine other people’s perception of you. If you want to convince a company owner that you have a solution to an IT problem, your clothing could determine whether they respect or dismiss your opinion. Smart attire will make a business owner listen to you, as they will be less likely to take you seriously if you look as if you’ve just rolled out of bed.
Choose the Best Destinations for Your Career
If you want to take your pick from a wide array of career opportunities, choose a destination with a strong job market for your skills and experience. For example, if you want to mix with some of the best tech minds in the world, Silicon Valley is one of the best destinations for an exciting IT career.
Find a Solution Before You Discuss a Problem
If you have spotted an IT problem within a company, such as a data security breach or a bug, you should consider the potential solutions before you discuss a problem with the business owner. After all, they will look to you for innovative ideas.
If you don’t have an answer to their question, they might doubt whether you are the right person for the job. Take the time to analyze the problem and think up an idea that could help the organization, which will prove to an employer that you are a trusted, knowledgeable member of staff.
Continue to Learn About the Newest Technologies
The most successful IT professionals never stop learning, as technology is constantly evolving and it is their job to stay ahead of the newest systems and solutions. It means setting time aside to read industry textbooks, the latest tech articles, and new government regulations, which will ensure you will have in-depth knowledge of your field.
Set Professional Goals to Advance in Your Career
Professional goals will help you to identify the position you want to reach and the steps you need to take to make it a reality, such as additional training or industry experience. These goals could help you to seek additional responsibilities, ask for a promotion, or move careers.
If you don’t have professional goals, you might be forced to remain in a static role for many years. Also, if you move companies with a solid track record of professional development, an employer might feel obliged to provide you with more responsibilities and greater career opportunities.
Grow Your Professional Network
If you want to improve your industry knowledge, discover new job opportunities, find a mentor, and establish yourself as an IT thought leader, aim to grow your professional network both on and offline.
Connect with like-minded individuals and companies on social media, or attend industry conferences and exhibitions to mix with industry professionals. You also must aim to keep your professional relationships alive through regular communications or even a coffee meeting.
Kimberly is a technology sales expert with over 20 years of experience working with firms such as Microsoft, Iron Mountain and Dell. When she is not lending her considerable expertise and contribution to the tech industry, she can be found coaching Special Needs athletes with Special Olympics Texas and baking.
