Information Technology – the industry field that plays a role in every industry field. From manufacturing to medical, hospitality to legal, sales to financing, every industry uses technology. Software, hardware, cloud services, etc. each play their role inter-related role in the big picture. The demand for technical skills and experienced, laced with soft skills and business acumen grows daily. So how do you, as an IT job seeker connect with the best positions?
Specialize
Like we said, every industry has an IT aspect. Choose the industry that pushes your “I love my job” buttons. Build your industry knowledge and technical experience in that field. Seek the certifications that connect to your chosen industry.
Business Acumen
Regardless of your chosen industry, build your business skills. Develop a keen knowledge of the business aspect. Your IT skills become much more in-demand when you understand how their role intertwines with the bottom-line.
Soft Skills
Ok – let’s face it; while stereotyping is unfair, it comes from consistent patterns. Break the mold of the tech guy/gal who knows everything about computers/ programs/hardware – but nothing about relating to people. Don’t just be a problem-solver, be the problem solver who not only accurately communicates the problem to coworkers but also draws them into participating in the solution.
Design your Resume
Attract and engage HR by customizing it to the position you are seeking.
• Objective: Include keywords and phrases from the job description to show how your “objective” is a perfect fit.
• Skills/Experience: Share your specific skills and experience which correlate to the job description. Demonstrate – again through keywords and phrases – how those skills and experiences are relevant to the open position.
• Accomplishments: Include significant professional accomplishments that tie to the position. Share challenges, processes you used in response, and solutions achieved. Document your claims. If you have testimonials – include them. If you can drop a name, do so – just not excessively.
• IT Education/Certification: Include any certifications, conferences attended, and webinar participations, which are directly connected to the position.
• Professional Organizations: Include networking groups, forums, or discussion which you consistently participate in. Include links to any written work – published online or in hard copy – that pertain to your industry, especially the IT angle.
Prepare for the Interview
Have your answers ready – but not canned.
• Tell us about yourself. Don’t summarize your whole career – share the highlights, weaving in your personality, ideals, and goals. Keep answers interesting and concise, but be ready to answer questions that come as result of your answer.
• Why do you want this job? Keep it simple and specific. Cover the challenges, as well as opportunities you are seeking and why you think your specific skills and experience make you the perfect solution to their needs.
• Strength and weaknesses. Skip the clichés and bravado. Specific answers shared in confidence – not arrogance – win every time. Don’t be afraid to be honest about a weakness, but share how you are using it to grow professionally.
• What are your professional goals?This is perhaps your biggest test. It requires a balance between confirming that you want to be hired for the current position, rather than using it a foot in the door; but also show that you are motivated to grow professionally.
Finally, connect with a staffing firm, such as Springborn Staffing. We specialize in connecting talent in multiple fields, including IT, with top companies in Bangor and Portland, Maine. Our staffing consultants are uniquely qualified to help you find the right opportunity. Contact us today and discover how our industry knowledge, marketplace intelligence, and longstanding relationships can help you land your dream position now.