How to boost your Career as an IT Professional

I would aim first at the jobs that have the highest salaries
as well as the biggest lack of professionals.
You can find this information in the library or on technical forums
and publications on the internet.

Make a list of such jobs.
Don't worry if you know nothing about this job type.
That's because you can learn and succeed in any jobs you will aim
for if you really like what it involves in.

Make a list of such jobs you are considering.

To select a good job off your list, score it
according to those characteristics:

1. You like the job and find it interesting

You should talk with friends or make friends with
people that do the job type you are considering.
Talk with people who are successful, so you do
not have to filter any bad feelings they have
if they are not successful.
As them about the challenges they have and how
they had resolved them.

Go to the library and browse through magazines
so you can have wider prospective about what
this jobs involves.

Join Forums on the internet and look for more
information.

Select the company in your vicinity and call
their technical department.
Ask for the manager of the team type that you aim
for. Tell them you have high appreciation for
their company and job and that you want to get
their advice on learning this job type.
Invite them to lunch and interview them.
Ask them what knowledge and experience areas
you will have to acquire to be able and work in
the jobs you want, with what you should start
and what are the important required skills
for success in this kind of job.

2. The Salary and other benefits are appealing

Review Salary and benefit reports on the
internet.
Look at the last 2 years.

Make a prioritized list of the benefits you
desire the most and the maximum Salary these
jobs can offer for a starter.

Write down the time and salary you would like
to have as soon as you become an expert in that
job type.

At future postings I will advise on what are
my ideas for each of the IT job types, so you
will not have to go too far to ask for such
advise :-)

3. You feel great about the value this job brings to your customers

Some People will say it's important to have
a title that you appreciate.
Deep in your heart you may seek for a title
that you dearest (Mom, Dad, Wife, Husband) may
find as honorable.

I say - shoot for a value that you can offer
that makes you feel good. Most chances you will
succeed there much better and this will trigger
higher salary and promotions.

Focus on bringing value and forget about honor
and appreciation will seek you out.

4. The knowledge you acquire will be a stepping stone in your road map.

Make sure what is the ultimate job you would like
to have.
Then you should find out what jobs and skills
are required to get your dream job and
work on each one of them.
Don't hurry.
Do each job at the best way possible. Become
the best expert in that skill set and then
leverage your reputation to get the next job.

Use self learning to get knowledge for the next
job. Grab opportunities to provide service
in your new skill set for free and using
your after work hours. Then as you get
experience you can ask officially doing tasks
in the new job area.

Here is an example for you:

If you know Unix Sys Admin and want to be a DBA,
learn DBA in your spare time.
Assist DBAs doing simple mundane tasks for them
on your free time.
Then as you get experience and people know you
you can ask to get a part job as DBA.
This will allow you eventually to get a DBA job
offer.

5. The company you are considering is highly appreciated or has very good prospect to become such

Read reports about the best companies.
Listen to web casts offered by those companies.
Ask friends.
Join IT forums and get friends at the companies
you aim for and ask their advise.
Offer assistance and in turn get advice about their companies.

Stay tuned for more advice at my next posting.

You can also visit my BLOG at
http://www.it-elligence.com

Yours,

Jack.