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In a world where technology changes as often as the weather does, it is difficult to imagine how employers go about finding qualifications – and qualities – constant to measure when interviewing job candidates. IT is a global field that can open many doors for your adventurous side if you know how to get the job!
In today’s world, fast paced changes are underway in the form of Social Media, constantly improving consumer technology and technological innovations such as Cloud Computing. All these ongoing changes in the IT industry are certainly impacting the IT jobs market and the skills needed to be successful in such jobs.
The Education
You obviously need to have a strong background in the technical fundamentals of computer science and programming languages like Java, C ++ and Microsoft .NET. However, in a recent Wall Street Journal article by Marisa Taylor, Karen Morris (university relations director at Electronic Arts) says that there is a worrying trend of young IT students bypassing their university education and choosing one or two-year courses that make them proficient in one specific programming language only.
In a field where innovation is both a blessing and a curse, one cannot afford to have a one-dimensional education. A strong background in Maths, Physics or Computer Sciences on undergraduate level will show your future employers that you have the necessary analytical abilities to keep growing and learning with the industry.
The Interview
It is important to realize that good marks on your university transcript alone will not get you a job. You need to show an interest in the industry beyond that of your school projects. So, take along any examples of your own projects that you have written outside of school work. As you are likely to have to work in teams with professionals who have skills that complement your own, you need to show that you are good at and willing to participate in group activity.
Employers are also always looking for creativity, as the industry is full of problems that need innovative minds to solve. Therefore, besides showing off your coding skills, you should also mention any creative activities you have participated in, such as playing an instrument or having a short story published. If you also have supplemental skills, such as design and training, you will instantly make yourself more employable.
The Jobs
For an industry that is expected to grow by 32% by 2018 (Wall Street Journal), there isn’t much that can go wrong with choosing a career in IT. According to the “Great Place to Work†website, seven out of the top ten best employers in Australia are IT companies. The UK Border agency has also identified certain areas in IT as a scarce skill and is encouraging British companies to import international workers into their IT industry.
And remember, if you are more of a people’s person than a “sitting in front of the computer†person, IT teachers are highly sought after precisely because the industry is growing at such a fast pace.
Louisa Theart writes for Skilled Migrant Jobs, a job board which helps skilled IT professionals find jobs in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
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