A new career in IT

Bad times

When companies are cutting costs, Finance and IT personnel are still needed to keep the businesses up and running. On retrenchment, IT personnel, if they make an effort to keep up to date, would usually find a job faster than their non specialized colleagues 

In good times, IT personnel are very mobile, often changing jobs every 2 or 3 years.

How do you get a job in IT

First, you need the paper qualifications. Usually, a computer science degree or diploma or a degree or diploma in a related discipline would be a good starting point.

If you plan to switch from say a sales career to one in IT, you should take a course in the area you want to branch in first. There are many areas in IT. Do you want to deal with the database as a data base administrator? Do you want to develop applications, as a programmer or design the applications? Are you interested in data security? Do you want to work on the web?  What platform do you want to work in? Mainframe? PCs? UNIX?

Some employers also want related job experience. Some companies only hire those who had working experience similar or related to the skills needed for the position available. Some would be willing to hire and train you if you are 'hungry' enough (extremely interested in doing the tasks involved in the job available).  

Fresh grads

Fresh graduates from a university or polytechnic or college would not have the necessary work experience. What they do have is training in the latest technologies.

A fresh graduate from a university can expect to start as a systems analyst or at very least, an analyst programmer. A fresh diploma holder can expect to start as a programmer or analyst programmer.

Although most employers prefer related work experience, fresh grads can still land a job in IT in a less particular company. We all started off as fresh grads anyway.

Looking for a job

First and foremost, get your resume done and perfected. For a fresh grad, highlight the relevant subjects you studied.  Also highlight your ECA that may demonstrate leadership qualities or other soft skills. You may want to mention your interests that may be related to the type of job you are looking for.

For someone who has worked before, mention work experience that could help you in the jobs you are looking for as well. Fresh grads can mention holiday jobs  and produce referrals from their former employers.

Your resume should be short and concise. Try to fit it into 1 page. If not, try not to exceed 2 pages and number the pages, page 1 of 2, page 2 of 2.

Proof read your resume. Check for errors. Get a friend to check it for you too. Then print it on good paper and send it out.