Moving Up In The It Industry

Moving up in the IT Industry

What can my next IT move be? With so many jobs in the IT industry to choose from, your options are seemingly endless. And because technology is forever changing, you may find the area you started your career in has now become obsolete. It's up to you to stay in touch with what's happening now, and to develop your skills so they will be of use for many years to come. Here are some of the options available to you: Programmers Many programmers tend not to step too much out of their own comfort zones when considering their next move, with most making the natural transition into a Systems Analyst or Web Designer role. An alternative route is to make the step up to Systems Architect or Systems Engineer level. Both routes then progress to Project Manager before making it to Director level or moving into Consultancy. Network Engineers Career progression for Network Engineers is a more obvious and direct one than for Programmers. The next step up is Network Manager and from here it’s a direct route to more senior positions and Director level.

www.monster.co.uk Systems Analysts Systems Analysts will invariably take one of two routes. The first will be to progress as a Business Analyst before becoming a Consultant and eventually Director, whilst the second option will be to reach the top via the Project Management route. Web Designers The traditional path to the top is to follow the Project Manager route or into more specialised user experience roles. Many will opt to go freelance whilst others continue to make their way up the career ladder in either a Consultancy and/or Director role. Software Engineers Like their Programmer cousins, Software Engineers and Systems Designers will progress as either Systems Architects or Systems Engineers before following the Project Manager to Consultant or Director route. The route you take will depend upon the skills that you already have and the new skills that you want to learn. For instance, making the transition from Programmer to Systems Engineer will mark a significant step not just in terms of responsibility but also in terms of technical know-how. If you know what route is best for you, see what training courses are available with your employer, online or at your local college so that you can hit the ground running ready for your next position.

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Moving up in the IT Industry

What achievements should I add to my CV? The key to writing an effective and powerful CV is to make sure that the content is directly relevant to the job that you are applying for. You need to make sure that the achievements you include in your application will make a potential employer sit up and take notice. It’s all very well believing that you are the best programmer in the business or that your web design skills are the envy of your peers, but if you don’t demonstrate this in your application, then your CV may only get as far as the paper shredder. The IT industry recognises a wide range of skills, such as proven problem solving, analytical and technical expertise. But don’t just list them, explain to the reader how you have applied them. Many people fill their CV with typical requirements for a job, but the memorable candidates will set themselves apart from the pack and focus on what makes them special. Try to include achievements that nobody else can claim. Have you won any awards? Have you delivered a project on time and on budget? Have you developed an innovative web offering that your set your organisation apart from its competitors? Maybe your strong analytical, financial tracking and budgetary control skills have identified cost-cutting measures for your employer?

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Always try to include facts and figures so the person reading your CV can relate to the achievement and see how it had an impact on the business as a whole. Here are a few examples that you could include on your CV: "Created an automated data back-up system to improve data security and recovery processes." "Awarded ‘Best Use of New Media’ at a prestigious UK award ceremony." "Took charge of a £multi-million system integration which was successfully rolled out across 15 UK locations." "Analysed system requirements and developed a backup and restoration resolution in a 20% increase in system efficiency." "Pioneered the move into the social networking environment for my employer, creating a range of widgets that achieved a 300% increase in unique visitors and a 120% increase in sales over 3 months." Think of as many relevant examples of instances when you have done something beyond your current job remit - something that won the recognition of your colleagues and had an impact on the business.

Further Reading - How should I list my previous jobs on my CV? - What makes a good CV design and layout? - How can I make my CV more effective?

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Moving up in the IT Industry

What are the important skills to develop? If you attempted to acquire every attainable IT skill and list them all on your CV, chances are that your two-page CV would quickly blossom into a document that could easily double as a rather attractive foot stool. With so many skills on offer, you need to recognise the ones that are relevant for the job you are doing now and the job you want. If you’re looking to step up the career ladder, as well as improving your overall business skills such as project management and budgeting, you will also need to develop the skills that will impress prospective employers. In no particular order, SQL, Java, C, C++, .NET, C#, Visual Basic, SQL Server, ASP, and Oracle are currently the ten most sought after skills in the IT industry. Regardless of what sector you work in, the demand for some (if not all) of these skills remains constant. As your career progresses you will be required to learn new skills for each role that you do. Often the best way to secure the job you want is to acquire these skills before you apply, rather than expecting to learn them on-the-job.

www.monster.co.uk Suppose you are looking to move up to become a Senior Web Designer, your familiarity with programmes such as HTML, CSS, ASP.NET, C#, and SQL will give you a good chance of being interviewed for the job. But by doing your homework you will find that Flash, Photoshop, Quark and InDesign are part-and-parcel of a Senior Web Designer’s job. By becoming familiar with the skills that will used in your next position and by seizing the initiative to learn these new skills, your application will stand out because you have demonstrated a desire to learn new skills, a passion for the industry, and a determination to hit the ground running in your new role. Do as much research as you can by reading job descriptions and speaking to people who already do the job you want. Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry and remember that many of the IT skills in demand today didn't even exist 10 years ago. If you can get involved at the early stages, you could be an expert by the time they reach common usage. It’s worth asking your current employer about their staff development policy and the training they provide. If it's not sufficient for your needs, consider enrolling on a night school course at your local college, Open University or an online training provider. Postgraduate and academic study is not usually required to help advance your career, however, the BCS runs a number of ISEB qualifications for IT professionals at various stages of their careers, from new entrants to senior managers.

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Moving up in the IT Industry

How can I get my boss to notice my efforts? Most of us are modest about our achievements at work and often shy-away from getting praise for a job well done. But if no-one knows how great you are at your job, you simply won’t get ahead. To make sure you get noticed in your workplace and get the recognition you deserve, there are a few key things you need to do. Firstly, make sure you're regularly contacting your boss. In addition to regular meeting and yearly appraisals, let them know of any notable achievements you have. There are ways of letting them know what you are doing without looking like you’re bragging. For instance, if you developed a new flash widget for the company website, send a quick email when 100k people have used it. You may also want to acknowledge the part they played in any successful project. By praising your boss for overseeing the project, they will be more likely to remember it. There is a fine balancing act between telling your boss about the great work you're doing, and making it look like you're pitching for their job. Rather than individual pursuits, most projects you get involved with will be a team effort. Game development is a prime example where professionals from animation, design and sound engineering, all come together for a common goal.

www.monster.co.uk If you have been involved in a team project, try to set yourself in a position where you are seen as a pivotal part of the group. Be the one to set up the meetings, update others on the project progress and copy in your boss on all important communications to show you have managerial qualities. Another way to get in the good books is to take on more responsibility. Simply asking for more responsibilities will increase your worth to the organisation because it demonstrates your desire to expand your skill set, your willingness to help your company to succeed and most importantly, it puts the spotlight on you. Think about how your IT skills can help other people in the organisation, from simple things like training new employees on the various systems your company uses, through to developing software that will improve the productivity and efficiency of the business. If you get your name out there with projects that are recognisable across the business, you'll inevitably be in with a chance of promotion when the time comes. As good as internal recognition is, it can't compare with the praise you get from outside the company. Testimonials from your clients or suppliers are one of the most effective ways of getting your boss to recognise your achievements. So if you have advised a client on how to use the software they purchased for their business and they are delighted with the results, ask them write you a quick ‘thank you’ email acknowledging the service that you provided. If you're a contractor, these will become a key part of your portfolio when looking for the next role.

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Moving up in the IT Industry

Should I move internally or externally? IT is a fast-moving industry and the opportunities for career advancement and specialising are always just around the corner. Whether you stay with the same company or not will depend on which direction you want to take your career. Suppose you started your IT career as a Junior Software Engineer for Google or Microsoft. You may thrive in being at the forefront of creating the next generation in technology with a company that can meet your careers aspirations. In big companies there is plenty of scope to expand your options, progress through the ranks or specialise in your chosen specialism. The decision to develop your career within the same organisation is sometimes a no-brainer. IT departments generally have a lower turnover of staff than others and this can in part be attributed to a shortage of skilled professionals IT employers are renowned for recognising employee loyalty and when promotion time comes around, the first thought is to look for someone from within the business, rather than looking externally.

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www.monster.co.uk Whatever job you do, it's important that you have the chance to work on the projects you want to work on, and develop the skills you want to develop. If you're spending 20% of your time on graphic design and 80% on programming, is this the ratio you want, or would you prefer it was the other way round? If you feel that your current employer is not positioned to fulfil the career aspirations you have identified for yourself, then you need to find a company that will. If you want a management position but opportunities are few and far between, then you should move elsewhere or you will become stuck in a rut. Staying for too long in the same job may also harm your future career as your CV will suggest you didn't have the ambition to move up the ladder. With employers are clambering over themselves to secure the services of suitably qualified personnel to fill their vacancies, it can be very lucrative to keep moving jobs every few months. Some employers will see this as a negative, so If you are to job hop, the trick is to effectively market your penchant for short-term success and your ability to meet an employer’s need.

Take part in a Virtual Job Interview to find out if your answers are what IT employers want to hear. Click here when you’re ready to begin.

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Moving up in the IT Industry

What attributes make a good manager? Moving into management isn’t simply a case of being the best Systems Analyst or Software Developer, it’s about being the ‘right type’. Think about it in football terms: Bryan Robson was arguably one of England’s greatest ever footballers, yet his management ability never quite lived up to expectations having faced relegation three times with three different clubs. in stark contrast, Sir Alex Ferguson's playing career was largely forgettable, however, he has gone on to become the most successful football manager in English history. Some people are good at the practical aspects of the job and are masters in their specific job roles, whilst others have the ability to look at the bigger picture and recognise how to blend each individual’s skill into an effective working team focused on achieving the overall objectives of the organisation. Are you a Robson or a Ferguson? if you want to step into a management position, while it’s important to be good at your own role, you need to be conscious of what everyone else does and look for ways of doing the job better, slicker, quicker and more profitably.

www.monster.co.uk In other words, you must learn to become a multi-disciplinarian who understands how the technical team complements the design team, whilst being aware of the workload of the guys from testing. Good IT managers develop all-round project management skills with a solid understanding of the various programme-types that are used. It is your job to oversee the delivery of a project from start to finish on time and within budget, whilst considering its aims from both a technical and business perspective. Managers will often find themselves balancing a few projects concurrently and you must be able to keep your cool under pressure, manage your time effectively, and thrive on getting things done. Equally important are your interpersonal and communications skills which will be employed to relay the objectives of the project to their team, as well as up to the management team above you. Planning and analysis play key roles here. If you can set out your initial objectives and checkpoints to be met by certain times, you can keep the people under you aware of what is expected of them, and the people above you aware of how things are going.

Further Reading - How can I secure a pay rise? - What can I do to ensure a promotion? - How can I improve as a manager?

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Moving up in the IT Industry

How can I make a long-term career plan? In 1965, Gordon Moore, the founder of Intel, predicted that computing technology would increase in value at the same time it would decrease in cost. In other words, Moore’s Law argued that as the pace of computer technology continues to double its capabilities and becomes smaller, quicker and smarter, it inevitably becomes more affordable. How right he was. Moore’s Law will inevitably characterise the future of the IT industry. The next decade promises much with developments in voice recognition, cloud computing and mobile technology. We may even see the end of television as we know it. By its very nature, the IT industry is constantly on the look out for the next innovate user experience or application that will precede all that has gone before it. But what does this mean to your future prospects? There's no disputing the fact that both personal and business use of IT will continue to grow. Consequently, skilled IT practitioners who can combine technical and ‘soft’ business skills (communication, team-working, business acumen, etc) will forever be in demand. That demand can carve out a long and rewarding career path for those who have the IT skills that are in short supply.

www.monster.co.uk It's up to you to stay in touch with the IT world, decide the areas where you feel will be in demand in the future, and focus your efforts on developing your skills. be careful not to throw all your eggs in one basket. If you're spent thousands on training courses to become an expert in Java, what are you going to do when a new technology replaces it? When making career goals, make sure they are SMART: • • • • •

Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely

Whether you go for a managerial route, into consultancy or to start your own business stay one step ahead of the game and become a pioneer in the industry, boldly going where no IT professional has gone before.

Improve Your Monster Experience If you have a Monster Profile, you may have noticed the Career Goals section on your personalised homepage. This is a perfect place to put your career aspirations down in writing, so you can look back in 6 months or 6 years to see how far you are towards achieving your goals. If you tell us your dream jobs, we’ll automatically update you on job opportunities that match so you can take note of the skills you need to develop, or apply right away. View or create your Monster Profile now.

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Moving up in the IT Industry

Is IT the right industry for me? Do you envisage that your long term career will be in IT, or do have dreams of spreading your wings and working in an entirely different field? Recognising whether the IT industry is right for you is a simple question of motivation. Does your job and the sector in which you work make you want to get out of bed in the morning to see what the day will bring, or have things become repetitive and monotonous leaving you feeling unchallenged because you are not learning anything new? It's natural for anyone to have a blip and for you to start considering what alternatives there may be. The key to knowing whether you're in need of a career change is the length of time this goes on. Think about whether it's the job that's getting you down or whether it's the work. Would you be happy doing the same job in a different location or with a different set of colleagues? Even if you’re in a job that you have loved for a number of years, it doesn’t mean that you will want to do it forever. One of the beauties about being an IT professional is that you're armed with a skill set that is in high demand across a variety of job functions.

www.monster.co.uk For instance, pretty much all IT roles involve using informationbased skills such as analysis, problem solving, project planning and of course, technical ability. You will be also be familiar with the software and systems used in other industries so will have a head start on training. So if you are a Programmer or a Project Manager who feels that you have been there, done that and have the proverbial T-shirt to prove it within the IT industry, have a look through Monster to see what other jobs you might fancy. Rather than searching by job title, try putting some of your key skills into the keyword box to see what comes up. And if you'd prefer not to step into a conventional job, you may wish to consider ways of passing on you knowledge to the next generation. Teaching is a career that can bring lots of job satisfaction, not to mention the outstanding holiday allowances. There are a few hurdles to overcome in terms of the teaching qualifications you need to get, but if you're fed up with looking at a computer screen all day, how would you feel about replacing it with a room full of open minds, eager to learn from your experience?

What Next? If you’re still looking for advice on finding the right job, creating a great CV or tips on job interview, career-advice.monster.co.uk contains everything you ever wanted to know, and more! If you’re ready to apply for jobs, upload you CV to Monster and then take a look through the latest IT and Technology roles.

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Moving up in the IT Industry

IT & Technology Glossary Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) - a group of interrelated web development techniques used to create interactive web applications. Browser - a software application which enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music, games and other information typically located on the World Wide Web or a local area network. Cookie - a small pieces of text, stored on a user's computer by a web browser containing the user's settings, shopping cart contents, or other data used by websites. DNS (Domain Name System) - a hierarchical naming system for computers, services, or any resource participating in the Internet. It translates domain names into binary identifiers associated with networking equipment. Ethernet - a family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). Firewall - part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting outward communication.

www.monster.co.uk GUI (Graphical User Interface) - a type of user interface which allows people to interact with electronic devices such as computers, hand-held devices, household appliances and office equipment. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - the predominant markup language for web pages. A means to describe the structure of text-based information in a document. IP (Internet Protocol) Address - a numerical identification that is assigned to devices participating in a computer network utilizing the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes. Java - a number of computer software products and specifications that together provide a system for developing application software and deploying it in a cross-platform environment. Kernel - the central component of most computer operating systems. Its responsibilities include managing the system's communication between hardware and software components. LAN (Local Area Network) - a computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or small group of buildings, such as a school.

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Moving up in the IT Industry Macro - a rule or pattern that specifies how a certain input sequence should be mapped to an output sequence according to a defined procedure. NTFS - the standard file system of Windows NT, including its later versions Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, and the new Windows 7. Operating System - an interface between hardware and user. It is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of a computer's resources. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) - a handheld computer incorporating colour screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones (smartphones), web browsers, or portable media players. QuarkXPress - a computer application for creating and editing complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG environment. Router - a device that determines the correct destination for data being transmitted from one network to another. Shareware - copyrighted commercial software that is distributed without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability or convenience.

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Terabyte (TB)- a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage equal to 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, or 1,000 Gigabytes (GB). URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - a type of Uniform Resource Identifier that specifies where an identified resource is available and the mechanism for retrieving these resources. Virus - a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the owner. Wi-Fi - a set of internationally accepted standards which ensures the compatibility of wireless network devices manufactured by different companies. XML (Extensible Markup Language) - a general-purpose specification for creating custom markup languages. XML's purpose is to aid information systems in sharing data YouTube - a video sharing website that displays movie clips, TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original films. ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) - a concept used in the design of IC sockets, invented to avoid problems caused by applying force upon insertion and extraction.

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Moving up in the IT Industry

They say that the grass isn’t greener on the other side, but often it is. Our series of eBooks brings together expert advice to help you secure the job you want and build a successful career. For more career tools, visit career-advice.monster.co.uk.