Information technology is one of the well-paying and constantly growing employment fields. It is promised to grow by 18% from 2018 to 2028, which gives more opportunities to land a job and build a strong career. Here is an article on 5 IT Skills Employers Seek These Days.
Jobs in IT are exciting, rewarding, and have a lot to offer in terms of creativity and innovation. A professional is motivated to constantly grow, learn new skills , and get better at their work. But it is not always easy to land an interview, especially when it comes to high-profile companies. Know More Details on Services For Working Professionals.
Recruiters often use ATS bots (applicant tracking system) to go through numerous resumes of candidates. That’s why writing a resume requires a lot of attention to detail and usage of specific keywords and skills to beat these programs. If you want to know what IT (Information Technology) skills are in high demand and what to add to your resume, this article is for you.
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What IT Skills Can An Employer Look For?
The first thing to know for job seekers in this field is that IT employs a huge number of different professionals. Of course, every company needs an IT employee. One can work as a software developer, tester, project manager, system administrator, or technical support agent. Know More Details on Higher Education Guidance.
The key skills a laborer looks for depending on the role and project. For example, software developers are required to have work experience with specific programming languages to work on a project, whether it is web development or CRM integration. So, they can be required to know Java, C/C++, PHP, Ruby, Python, HTML, CSS, etc.
Yet, there are also soft skills that a hiring manager will look for. When you are crafting a bot-beating resume, do not forget about these skills either know more about these by CAREER & JOB SWITCH GUIDANCE . For an IT job application, soft skills often include:
- communication
- problem-solving
- determination
- creativity
- time management
- teamwork
- logical and analytical thinking
Now, let’s talk about common IT hard skills that can be required almost for any position in this industry.
Most Important Information Technology Hard Skills
To craft a winning resume, look into a job listing and highlight the keywords it uses. You can also research several resume samples and other listings for the same or similar position to gather more information. Include those specific words in your application.
You can also decide to get professional help with your resume. But here are the skills you do not want to miss out on.
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Coding/Programming
This is a basic skill that almost any IT (Information Technology) position requires. Even if you are going to work in tech support, you need to have some experience with coding and understanding how it is done. It is also quite beneficial to be proficient in several languages. One needs to understand the code, especially when working as QA. It includes not only programming languages but also:
- application development
- web development
- basic architecture principles
- cloud services specifics
If you want to be a software developer, you’ll need much more experience and knowledge of particular technologies to work with them and write custom code from scratch.
Data Analysis
Having analytical skills and being able to work with data is an essential skill for any IT professional. Some focus on data analysis as their primary career goal. But even if you are focusing on something else, you need to know the basics.
Data is what companies base their information on when analyzing internal and external business processes. It also gives vital details about the market, supply chain management, marketing, and sales.
Information Security
Cybersecurity is one of the top-demanded spheres now. The number of attacks and data breaches increases every year and no company or industry is safe from them. Such incidents may result not only in the loss of sensitive data but also in huge financial and reputational issues.
Of course, to become a cybersecurity specialist one needs to gain several years of specific experience or degree with a focus on that. Yet, any IT employee needs to have a decent knowledge of security measures, procedures, and digital hygiene.
One needs to know security measures across various platforms, fundamental computer forensics, and an understanding of common threats (phishing, hacking, DoS/DDoS attack, and malware).
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Computer Networks
Knowledge about computer networks is especially important for system architects, engineers, and administrators. But understanding fundamentals is quite useful for any employee. Network management refers to the way a network is set in a specific organization and how it can be handled. It includes such factors as:
- IP setup and management
- Wi-Fi modems and routers
- cloud services
- cloud system administration
- remote administration
- information management
It also can include knowledge of specific coding languages, for example, PHP, SQL, or JavaScript.
Project Management
The IT industry uses specific methodologies when it comes to project management, like Agile or Waterfall. One doesn’t have to be an expert unless one is aiming for a project manager position. But it would be great to know more about it to be able to manage time and personal responsibilities more effectively. IT project management includes:
- scheduling
- setting deadlines and evaluating tasks
- teamwork, including remote communication
- focus on goals and result
- constant review and troubleshooting of processes
- experience with working in the range of one or several methodologies
This knowledge can lead a software developer to a future career in management or help to become a team leader. Know more about communication at workplace.
In Summary
IT is a huge industry that employs all types of professionals, from developers to designers and testers. Of course, specific technologies and languages required for a job depend on the position and the project. But the general hard skills include coding, cybersecurity , data analysis, project management, and understanding computer networks.
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Students at schools, colleges, UG, PG, and other institutions frequently receive career counselling, which is very helpful in ensuring that they land the ideal job, goal, etc. for their career. It is crucial to keep in mind that career counseling does not only apply to students when it comes to working professionals. A working professional could occasionally want to change their job description, operate in a different environment than they anticipated, or hold a position that doesn’t offer long-term stability, among other things. At any time in one’s life, a professional counselor should offer career counseling. By providing you with beneficial suggestions, expert career counselors can assist you in selecting the best and safest path for you. Here are the few main benefits of career counseling for working professionals. Know More Details on Career Clarity.