Advice For Those Looking To Start A Career In IT

Are you considering a career in IT? This can be a shrewd move to make as IT plays such as a huge role in modern business so it is work which can be secure, in-demand and lucrative with many different areas to specialize in and career paths to follow.

IT is certainly a good industry for those looking to start a new career path. Still, you also need to be aware that there are challenges, including the fact that it is highly competitive and an industry which is constantly changing and developing as the technology improves. Here are some tips which will help anyone looking to get started with a career in IT.

Develop Your Soft Skills

It is obviously important to develop your technical skills. Still, you will never succeed in IT if you do not possess excellent soft skills that will help you to work in an office environment, improve your personal performance and see the big picture. A few of the key soft skills you need to have include:

• Communication skills
• Presentational skills
• Working as part of a team
• Leadership skills
• Ability to prioritize workload
• Ability to meet tight deadlines
• Critical thinking skills

Gain As Much Experience As Possible

Much like in many industries, it can be hard to get your foot in the door in IT without any experience, which is a difficult situation to overcome. The key is to gain as much knowledge as you can whether this is volunteering, internships, office work or freelance work. Being able to show that you are capable of working in this industry and in an office environment can be of huge help as well as help you to make industry contacts (more on this to come).

Build An Online Presence

As well as your resume, you should have a professional website if you are in IT. This will work as an online resume and should contain information about your background, education, qualifications and work experience. You could also include a portfolio with any relevant IT work as well as references/testimonials from previous employers and/or clients.

Obtain Azure Certification

If you want to prosper as an IT professional, then you need to obtain Azure certification so that you can help businesses to take advantage of cloud computing. You can get Azure training through specialists like A Cloud Guru, which will teach you what you need to know as well as bolster your resume. 

Network

As with any industry, networking is key to getting ahead in IT and will help to open more doors for you. As you would expect with this industry, a lot of networking takes places online on social media and online communities like Reddit. Still, you must also make an effort to network in person at IT and business events, job fairs and anywhere else that you will be able to connect with IT professionals.

These tips should help anyone looking to pursue a career in IT and hopefully help you to get your foot in the door.