The job market for IT professionals is in a unique position. On one hand, IT companies are still thriving and changing with technology, and they always will be. On the other hand, the rest of the world is trying to catch up.
See, technology has made a way for all sorts of companies to streamline their operations. An IT professional may have a wider range of job options than ever before! So, from that angle, anyone in the industry is in luck.
However, with great power comes great responsibility. It’s still important to not underestimate the job market and what someone might be looking for in an IT professional, especially with technology progressing so rapidly. If you’re looking for an IT job this year, here are some things to think about.
More Variety Does Not Mean Less Importance or Work
The skills you’ve learned as an IT professional or studying IT in the first place now apply to just about every field you can think of. For instance, even tax professionals are messing around with big data, according to a recent article from Villanova University. Your skill set gives you an entryway to high-paying fields that are still adapting to the world of big data.
However, that doesn’t mean that the jobs are any less important or that you’ll be able to slack off. The requirements and job description of each position are more important than ever. For instance, if you’re looking to become an information systems manager, a bachelor’s degree is practically required. As with any standard IT job, you can bet that working with a tax professional, like the example mentioned above, will also require a bachelor’s degree; it may be even more important because you’re dealing with other people’s money at that point!
While more jobs may feel like more pressure, it’s no excuse to take things less seriously. Make sure not to underestimate your options. Employers are looking for the best person for the job — give them just that.
Preparing Before the Interview Is an Ongoing Process
Like any other job or field, it’s important to prepare for a job interview before stepping into the actual situation. This can be difficult to do, as no two interviews are created equal. It can sometimes feel like playing a sport against a team that plays with different rules than you’re used to and which you’ve never seen played. But no worries! Luckily, many have gone before you. It’d be wise to take some cues from them.
It’s often good to start with your personal skills before a job interview. If you’re at a loss where to start, put your tech savvy to work and by scouring the web for resources that help prepare you for commonly asked interview questions and teach you to compose yourself correctly in these situations. This will help with the formalities and small talk of a new interview. In addition to this, do not be surprised if interviewers ask some unconventional interview questions to get a feel for who you are — that’s how they plan on finding the best candidate.
Always study the occupational specifics as well before entering a job interview, in addition to the generic questions. Absolutely go to the company’s website and study their work, their clients, their history, and their values, because you will most likely be quizzed about that. Along the lines of IT specifically, things like 30 Seconds of Interviews, which Hackernoon has recommended in the past, can be a quick refresher on current IT trends. Do not underestimate your relevancy; technology is always changing and it’s important that you are up to date. For other industries, study not only the job you’re applying for but news surrounding the industries at hand.
Avoiding Simple Mistakes
So you’ve tried to prepare for any questions and topics that an interviewer may throw your way, as you should. However, before closing the book on these prospective job tips talk about etiquette for a second. When you’re in the heat of the battle (the interview), it can be intimidating and you can forget things of importance. So think about them now to avoid doing so.
For instance, if you should code during the application process, make a point to show what you’re doing, and not to get ahead of yourself. Don’t start coding before your interviewer has given you the green light. Being overeager may prove you want the job, but it isn’t professional. This is for an IT-specific job, of course. The idea of not acting overeager and staying levelheaded is a good rule of thumb for any interview.
No matter where you’re applying though, keep in mind that you are interviewing for a high-tech position as an IT professional. The people interviewing you are going to be looking for an intelligent thinker. Try not to be too short with your words and answer things as specifically as you can without fluff. If you do this, you’ll come off as someone of character and intelligence, rather than short spoken and uninteresting.