Here are seven things you should start doing today to boost your IT career and find a new job you will love.
7 Things You Can Do Right Now to
Advance Your IT Career
Feeling stuck in your career? Whether you’re hoping to make more money, snag a promotion, land your dream job, or flex your entrepreneur muscles, your objective isn’t as far from reach as you might expect. Here are seven things you can do right now to advance your career and reach IT greatness:
1. Tap Into Your Network
Whatever your goal
• Climbing the Career Ladder • Launching Your Own Business • Finding a New Job
...there’s likely someone in your network who can either help you achieve it or introduce you to someone who can. Need to grow your network? Check out local IT meetups or begin making connections through online communities and professional networking sites like Spiceworks or LinkedIn.
2. Get a Foot in the Right Door
Even future CEOs have to start somewhere. Don’t be afraid to take a pay cut or a demotion if it means working for the company of your dreams.
Given 51% of IT pros expect a raise from their current employer, and another 21% expect a promotion, according to Spiceworks[1], it appears the tech world is rife with opportunities for upward mobility.
3. Improve Your Communication Skills
Among the top skills employers seek
75% Seek Candidates with Written Communication Skills
70% Seek Candidates with Verbal Communication Skills
(According to survey data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers)[2]
While you don’t need to be a Pulitzer Prize-winning author or TED Talk veteran, improving your ability to communicate in both written and verbal formats can give you an edge over other candidates.
4. Look for Opportunities to Lead
84% of organizations anticipate a shortfall of leaders in the next five years, according to data published by Infopro Learning[3]. In other words, there’s never been a better time to hone your leadership abilities. Look for opportunities to step up to the plate — whether it’s leading a team, a project, or even just a meeting.
5. Always Be Learning
Complacency is the No. 1 killer of career goals. Make sure you’re continuously expanding your knowledge by...
• Enrolling In A Class At A Local College • Reading A Book • Taking A Course Online
6. Find a Mentor
Whether it’s a more experienced colleague, a former boss or someone else you admire, find someone who can help advise you in your career and ask them out for coffee. You’ll be surprised by how motivated you’ll feel by spending time with someone who has been where you want to go.
7. Pick up a Side-Gig
More than 44 million Americans have a side hustle, according to data from Bankrate [4]. And while the extra income is nice, a side hustle can also help you
• Grow Your Experience in a New Industry
• Lend Your Skills to Help a Cause You’re Passionate About
• Set the Foundation for Launching Your Own Business
CONCLUSION
If you’re feeling stagnant in your career, you’re not alone. However, by taking action today, you’ll be one step closer to reaching your goals.
SOURCES
[1] 2018 IT Career Outlook: One-third of IT pros plan to seek new jobs [2] The Attributes Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume [3] 13 Shocking Leadership Development Statistics [4] Over 44 Million Americans Have a Side Hustle
Click here to Download this handy Infographic that we've put together as a roadmap to your success.
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