4 Steps for Building Career in IT

If you have made up your mind to join the industry of Information Technology then you would be glad to know that there are a lot of opportunities awaiting you. Currently, the future in IT seems to be very bright as the industry is moving from the traditional computer or web based solutions towards the novel, innovative and unconventional solutions.

After the boom created by Cloud Computing and Big Data, the Internet of Everything (IoE) has hit the mainstream; many companies have already started to act upon it and are building up their arsenal for getting a head start. The advent of Google Glass, the launch of smart watches like LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live and the rumours of Apple iWatch proves that the future of wearable technology is promising too. That’s not all, the Phonebloks, the concept of modular smartphone designed by Dave Hakkens, all add up a great value to the world of technology.

With so many technological advancements queued up, the future seems to be no less than any science fiction. All of us are indeed very fortunate to be a part of such a great technological era.

So, how to utilize this opportunity and get the best out of it?

      

      1.       Acquire Education

Having adequate thorough knowledge of a certain domain is the most essential thing for getting any kind of job. People would trust and give you an opportunity only if they feel you are capable with the requisite skills and knowledge. Attending a University is one of the most popular, easiest and the most trusted sources of getting yourself certified in a particular field.

Earning a graduation degree/diploma majoring in IT, Computer Science, Electronics and Telecommunication, Computer Information System, Computer Networking System, Software Engineering, Software Systems, etc., may help you land an IT job. For most of the companies your scores do matter; as it provides a yardstick to measure your abilities with respect to your contemporaries.

Some employers, like Google Inc., hire people purely on the basis of their skills and knowledge rather than their educational background. According to the stats, about 15% of the employees in Google are either college dropouts or have never attended college. Fifteen percent is a very small population when compared to the 85% of the graduates in Google. And not every dropout turns to be Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. So, a degree earned does increase your chance of getting a job.

Hints & Tips: While your degree is the gate-pass to the IT industry, your knowledge is the widget to grow. So, ensure you study and acquire knowledge while you obtain your degree.

      2.       Get Working 

After earning a basic knowledge through a degree or diploma in computers, you are all set to enter into the IT world. There are many ways for getting yourself employed.

Here are some of the popular ways of getting a job.

      3.       Build Network

Believe it or not, a person with stronger professional network finds more and better opportunities than a person with weaker professional network, irrespective of their knowledge and skills. While knowledge and skills are required to prove yourself at various opportunities and get to the top, good professional networking skills help you get those opportunities.

According to the Forbes, a professional network is required not only for your growth, but also your survival. A good professional network allows you to gain more knowledge, increase your visibility and advance smoothly in your career.

Hints & Tips: Do not hesitate to meet people, talk to them and know more about them. Allow people to speak more and express their ideas. Connect to everyone you know on Internet via LinkedIn and Facebook. And most importantly, always try to help others by solving their problems. Generally, people remember those individuals more who readily help rather than those who often ask for help.

      4.       Get Specialized Certifications

Certifications from renowned sources act like elevators in your career. Certifications enable you to market yourself, demonstrate to others that your skills are up-to-date and at the same time allow you to stand out from the crowd.

Getting certified requires you to register yourself with the certification provider. Once you get registered, you need to prepare well and attempt to clear the exams. Some of the certifications, like PMP (Project Management Professional), require you to continuously practice what you have acquired to hold them on.

Hints & Tips: Attempt certifications only after you acquire a couple of relevant years of experience in your domain. There are multiple drawbacks of getting certified early: you may not be continuing in the domain you have got certified, you may have lost interest in what you are doing and are thinking to switch, you may not be able to easily relate the things in the course of the certification, and/or you are not getting the opportunity to grow in the field you are certified. Go for a certification when you believe you have got adequate knowledge and experience, and you are really thinking of growing in the same field. Getting certified is not enough. You have to update your certifications by either getting a higher level certification or by practicing it, whichever is required by the certification provider.

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7 Ways of Getting a Job in IT Industry

Today, the world of Information Technology has grown so big, that many are lured to get into it. But very few might know the various opportunities that could be sought for making an entry into this world.

Here are some of the popular ways of getting a job in IT industry:

                                i.            Campus Recruitment

This is the simplest way for any student to get hired. Most of the leading companies send their scouts on an annual basis to find a bunch of raw talent from some acclaimed institutes. Many institutes have tie-ups with companies that allow the institutes to exchange their educational services with companies’ on campus placement drives.

Hints & Tips: Many a times these drives are open to students of all the institutes irrespective of where it is being conducted. So as a student, it is very important for you to make friends from different colleges and keep yourself updated on these drives.

                              ii.            Walk-ins

If you aren’t fortunate to be selected in any of the campus interviews, do not be disappointed or worried. There are many other small capital companies who conduct walk-in drives for the freshers. Not many of the big companies hold walk-in interviews for the freshers.

Hints & Tips: If you have a choice between a large capital service company and small capital service company, do go for small capital one. The main reason being your job would be well defined in the smaller companies even before you join them. Most of the bigger companies hire resources in bulk and place them one by one in open requirements even if they are not interested to work there.

Also in smaller companies, you get to learn the end to end process of your work. The sole reason for this is that there are fewer employees employed in a smaller company which in turn creates more transparency in the processes compared to a bigger company.

                            iii.            Internship

This is one of the best ways of getting real time experience while you are still learning. Many companies offer internship opportunities to students to get their jobs done at a lower price.

Hints & Tips: Internship is indeed a blessing in disguise for any student who wishes to take it seriously. The initial years in an industry should be towards accumulating knowledge rather than wealth. Once you become master of your domain, success ought to follow you. 

                             iv.            Referrals

Although this is not a preferred way for a fresher to get hired, it is potentially one of the sources which may help you get a job. Not many would recommend you for a job until you are experienced.

Hints & Tips: Do not rely on anyone to recommend you for a job. Very few offer jobs to freshers based on recommendations. Always look for better alternatives even if people are ready to endorse you.

Also, beware of fraudulent people or agencies that provide assurance of finding you a job. Nobody would put their efforts for free to get you a job.

                               v.            Freelancing

There are many technical jobs around the globe which people think are not economical to be outsourced to an IT organization; and which can be done economically through freelancers in the field.

Hints & Tips: Many small-scale retailers, wholesalers, service agents, etc. would like to have their own a websites or at least would be interested in advertising about themselves on the Internet, but a are holding back either due to lack of knowledge or inadequate funds to outsource it to renowned sources. You can build your opportunities by enlightening them and getting the work done at reasonable costs. And the best thing about freelancing is you can continue with it even after you get a job.

                             vi.            Winning Challenge Cups

This is the one of the latest trends of hiring employees. Many companies host coding contests or quiz competitions for obtaining the crème de la crème resources. Since these contests are hosted over the Internet and are open to all, you would find many people competing against you and chances of your winning might be just one in a million. Nevertheless, if you practice well and win some of these, you could get a dazzling start to your career with lucrative job offers.

Hints & Tips: Many sites like techgig.com and hackerearth.com conduct these contests on regular basis on behalf of reputed companies. You may just need to follow these sites, practice well, and keep attempting till you hit the bull’s eye. You do not need to agonize even if you cannot make it to the summit as you have nothing to lose. You can also enrich your resume by comprehending some of your best results of these competitions which will definitely impress your potential employers.

                           vii.            Startups

This is the most difficult way of getting started with your career. However, it is always better to create a job than to find one. If you feel that you have a good business idea and are ready to take the risk, you can always opt for your own startup. But you need to keep in mind that not all startups turn to become Google or Facebook. Sometimes you may need to bare heavy losses and quit the idea of continuing with your business.

Hints & Tips: Two major instruments for starting any startups are ideas and funds. Since raising funds is comparatively easier than having a unique idea, you may need to concentrate more on planning your business than finding an investor. If you have a great and unique idea, I suggest you to patent it first before you enter into the market. This will enable you to start small and compete with bigger fishes in the ocean.

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