There are few sectors of industry that embrace change and ongoing development as much as the IT sector. This field of work is in an almost perpetual state of improvement and advancement and requires staff members to commit to ongoing learning and development.
In recent decades, dramatic shifts in working practices across industry have been driven by advances in the IT sector. For example, millions of businesses now operate their key applications and software platforms from cloud-based locations. This has been a key enabler in the move to remote and hybrid working models, but could not have been achieved without advanced technology and a skilled IT workforce.
If you are considering a career in IT or are already in the IT sector and want to boost your career aspirations, this article will be of significant benefit, as some of the most valuable top tips for career development within the IT sector will be explored in detail.
Get high-level skills and knowledge
It is vitally important to ensure that your IT skills and knowledge are up to date if you wish to secure almost any position within the industry. Admittedly, entry-level positions such as a junior IT support desk assistant may not require highly developed knowledge, as you will often receive on-the-job training and the expectation will be that you have core IT competencies that can be developed subsequently. However, for career development within the field, it is incredibly important to demonstrate that you are keeping your skills and knowledge up to date.
Senior positions within IT that attract higher salaries inevitably require a higher level of knowledge and expertise. For example, the field of cybersecurity is growing in demand across business as the disruption and financial impacts of acts of cybercrime become widely understood.
A cybersecurity manager can expect to receive between $51k and $172k depending on the employer and the level of expertise required in the role. For senior roles in this field, it is important to complete a range of cybersecurity training courses. These will allow you to demonstrate to potential employers that you have the knowledge, skills, and core competencies to successfully undertake such roles.
In the field of cybersecurity, knowledge needs to be updated on a regular basis. This ensures that your skills are in line with the emerging developments in this area and can be applied to current business systems.
Keep your résumé up to date
As you progress with your IT career, it is important to demonstrate that you have undertaken specialist courses and training schemes. Over a period of years, you should have amassed a considerable body of learning experience which illustrates your increasing proficiency in your chosen area of IT; remember to update your résumé with every course attended and certificate gained.
Employers will be looking for evidence of ongoing training and a commitment to the philosophy of lifelong learning. Few other industries value this personal and professional commitment as much as the IT sector. In fact, it is a vital quality to possess when the industry is in an almost constant state of change and development. Ideally you will aim to undertake several training courses every year that build your knowledge base and can be applied in the workplace.
Keeping your résumé up to date with these additions will ensure that you can apply for new positions quickly and efficiently, without needing to search through course information and certificates to find out when the training was completed.
Learn to network effectively
The art of networking plays a key role in career development across all sectors of work, and is also extremely important in the IT industry. Put simply, networking is the ongoing process of building professional relationships with other staff members and external professionals within the industry.
Effective networking requires excellent communication skills and the ability to deliver information succinctly and with authority. It can be as simple as having a quick conversation with a manager, team member, or client whilst sharing information on a professional topic.
Over time, this form of communication helps to build a network of contacts within the industry. It may help you to become more visible both within and outside your organization, which can be vital when new job opportunities are being considered. Potential candidates may be contacted before the job is formally advertised and this may help you to secure a more senior position. Effective networking takes practice, but it is a skill that any person can learn. Click here for more information on how to network effectively.
