4 Things to Start Doing Today to Advance Your IT Career

Technology advances impact businesses and consumers worldwide and have paved their way into every aspect of everyday life. New jobs are being created, and there’s an insatiable demand for IT-skilled individuals. In the UK only, for instance, there are increasingly more open entry-level tech positions, growing from around 6.500 roles in November 2022 to 15,000 last year. 

The information technology industry shapes economies, and those with the skills and qualifications to operate tech systems know this landscape is constantly changing. Everywhere you look, businesses adopt strategies to upskill their employees. 

Whether you’re looking to improve and upskill yourself in your domain of activity or reskill and learn new skills to take on an entirely different job, little steps like getting certifications can only ramp up your game. Let’s discover how you can make more of your talent and advance to a better IT position. 

Earn industry certifications 

Not so long ago, you would need a bachelor’s degree in computer science to get a job in IT, but now, you have many alternatives to four-year universities. Industry certifications, for instance, make up for lack of experience or those long four years of college, so their power is undeniable. Even employees working in technology for years earn them the opportunity to improve their skills, catch up with the ever-evolving trends, and bump their status and pay grade.  

Many organisations in the private and public sectors require certifications from professionals, and getting hired without them would be harder, especially in an industry where job competition is fierce. Certifications on a new operating system or application or on services like ITIL that are gaining ground throughout businesses will demonstrate that you possess a talent that can improve a company’s structure.

Once you earn your IT certificate, you gain more access to networking opportunities and join a group of skilled professionals, who can pass along guidance on what else you can do to enhance your career.  

The advantages of being ITIL certified 

ITIL services have been increasingly finding their way into business operations owing to the advantages delivered. They help companies better define their needs, improve the end-user experience, reduce and control costs, collect data on service performance, and improve the bottom line and long-term business health. 

ITIL is a necessity today and in the future, because the framework is increasingly needed. Completing ITIL training courses will boost your opportunities as you will include a formal qualification recognised worldwide on your resume. The terms, concepts, and processes you learn are highly used and sought-after, so you will enhance your credibility, having potential employees see a solution-oriented professional in you. They’re recommended whether you look to reskill yourself and seek another job or advance at your company and get a pay raise. 

Capitalise on your best character traits

Of course, hard skills are the ones that get you that long-dreamed-of job you’ve lost nights working for, but there is also another set of characteristics that HR and employees consider when choosing between more candidates. Self-motivation is among the best traits that will make you stand out.

If you have critical thinking and judgement, know that you possess a precious asset because you can make wise decisions, ask the right questions, and solve ambiguity-related issues, which is a sought-after skill.

Other traits that you shouldn’t let pass unnoticed are curiosity and passion. They’ll show you’re open to discovering new things and that you want to learn more and improve. 

When you decide to advance in your IT career, it’s important to take into consideration your past experience. Even though you don’t possess much of the skills you see on job listings, you have “soft skills” and some are transferable into IT roles, so it’s a good place to start your journey. For instance, if you aspire to leave your desk position, which is among the most common entry-level IT jobs, skills like good communication or Microsoft Office knowledge can add to your resume.

Keep an eye on the opportunities in growing fields

Data storage, financial technologies, information security, and more are all areas in high demand. With such broad opportunities in fields and professions, figuring out where to start might feel overwhelming. But it’s comforting to know that given the vast plethora of possibilities, it becomes nearly impossible for someone with IT skills to find themselves without a job. 

Here are some of the evolving fields offering great potential for your advancing career:

• IoT. The boom of “smart homes” is just a small part of the broader shift of IoT (Internet of Things). Every industry, from manufacturing to transportation to security, is highly-reliant on internet-enabled physical objects. Within this field, you’ll work as an IoT architect, software developer, or product manager. 
• Automation. The automation revolution has been occurring for a while now and it keeps driving change in the workforce. If you’re heading for this field, you’ll work in areas like cybersecurity, quality assurance, testing, maintenance, or project management. 
• Data science. Data science is a growing and complex field and uses computing technology and algorithms to shed light on complex problems. Within this field, you can specialise as a data analyst or data engineer.

Understudy a worthy mentor 

Any relationship in which you’re gaining a piece of knowledge and helpful advice is seen as mentorship. But many employees and employers don’t realise that guidance doesn’t have to be official or formal. 

There are many passionate and skilful people in IT with amazing skills ready to be passed on. And many talented and creative individuals out there are willing to share experiences and pass on their knowledge. You just have to find a worthy mentor and take time to understudy them. It will help you master your craft faster and give you confidence. 

From enrolling in industry-related courses and getting certificated to understanding your skills and matching them to a future job, there are many things you can start doing today to advance your IT job.