The information technology industry is vast. It includes everything related to software, hardware, internet, and semiconductor equipment. IT professionals work in IT companies and are also required by companies that use technology for their work (which today includes almost all organizations).
This guide will tell you all about building a career in the information technology (IT) industry. Let us begin by looking at three resume formats apt for IT professionals:
Information Technology Job Titles
- Chief Technology Officer
- Director Of Technology
- Scrum Master
- Technical Project Manager
- Technical Support
Information Technology Cover Letter Examples
- Free Non-Profit Cover Letter
- Free Technical Support Specialist Cover Letter
- IT Help Desk Cover Letter
- Professional Apprentice Cover Letter
- Professional Computer Technician Cover Letter
- Program Management Manager Cover Letter
- Technical Support Manager Cover Letter
Current Trends in the Information Technology Industry
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will likely be an 11% growth in the computer and IT industry between 2019 and 2029. As information technology is ever-evolving and is used in almost all sectors, including banking and finance, education, health care, hospitality, retail, and airports, the need for IT professionals is increasing.
A CompTIA report states that despite the impacts of COVID-19, the IT industry in the U.S. can expect to undergo a 5% CAGR growth rate by 2024. There would be a need for computer programmers, computer network architects, computer support specialists, database administrators, and software developers. Moreover, there would be a demand for IT professionals with knowledge of cloud computing, (IoT), big data and information security.
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Salary and Employment Outlook for Information Technology Jobs
The average salary of IT professionals would depend on your job profile. Your skills, experience, location, and the organization you are working at are other factors influencing your salary in the IT industry. The median annual salary of IT professionals is $91,250 (May 2020).
IT project management jobs
IT project management includes initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and completing any project to help the organization achieve its IT-related goals. These projects may involve hardware installations, software and app development, cloud computing, data management, business analytics, and network upgrades. IT project management jobs require professionals to know about project scope management, budget management, quality management, schedule management, risk management, human resources management, communications management, and stakeholder management.
Job Outlook 2020–2028
Scrum Master
All software developers (including Scrum Masters) would see a 22% growth in jobs from 2019 to 2029.
IT Project Manager
A 33% increase in demand for project managers (including IT professionals) is expected between 2017 and 2027.
IT Manager
A 10% increase in IT manager jobs is expected between 2019 and 2029.
Technical Project Manager
All project management jobs, including technical project manager, would see a 33% growth between 2017 and 2027.
Source: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_ScrumMaster_(CSM)/Salary
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm?view_full
Source: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Project_Manager%2C_Information_Technology_(IT)/Salary
Source: https://www.pmi.org/learning/careers/job-growth
Source: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Information_Technology_(IT)_Manager/Salary
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm
Source: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Technical_Project_Manager/Salary
IT assistant jobs
IT assistant jobs are those professionals who provide constant technical support to organizations. They work as technical support staff who take care of both software and hardware-related issues of a company. It is their responsibility to ensure that the computer systems of the company are running smoothly. They also have the responsibility to install and configure new systems, hardware, and networks. They train the non-technical staff to use the latest designs. IT assistants work in various industries, including IT companies, health care facilities, educational institutions, corporations, and more.
Job Outlook 2020–2029
Technical Support
Jobs of technical/computer support would see an 8% increase between 2019 and 2029.
6 of the Top Soft Skills Needed for Information Technology Jobs
A person interested in a career in the information technology field needs a vast knowledge of technical skills complemented by other soft skills. Technical skills can be acquired through different degrees and certifications or even courses about the areas you wish to specialize in. For example, suppose you are interested in focusing on Apple’s products. In that case, you can receive a certification from their company, increasing your prospects when seeking a position with a company that uses their systems.
However, you also need to focus on soft skills, such as communication, time management and organizational skills, to complement your technical skills. These skills can lead to more efficiency during your work as well as better relationships with your peers.
These are some of the top skills employers seek in the IT industry and which you should include in your resume when searching for an opportunity in this field:
Coding
One of the prime requirements to work in the IT industry is to have coding skills. Depending on your job post, you should have somewhere between working knowledge and high proficiency in coding languages like Java, C++, HTML, JavaScript, Python and Ruby, and many others. Many of these languages can be learned through certification courses and continued education in the field.Project management
If you are working at the managerial or leadership level in the IT industry, project management skills would help you grow in your career. Project managers have to be involved in different aspects of the project, including problem-solving, budgeting, and time management. In IT, you will be involved with managing the programs, applications, hardware, and other technical resources your employer will require to function.Communication
As an IT professional, you would have to constantly communicate with your team members, senior management, vendors, clients, and non-technical staff. You must relay important information about their technological tools or troubleshoot any issues that may arise with their gear, even update their computers.Network configuration
While more focused on those aiming to become network administrators, network configuration skills can come in handy when solving these issues. You will configure, manage, and maintain networking equipment, servers, computers, switches, and routers through these skills. You should also know how to install, administer, and configure network technologies.Willingness to learn
As technology continuously evolves, IT professionals need to be open about learning new things if they want to be at the top of their game. You should be aware of the latest updates for your company’s operating system and shed light on the most efficient program for specific departments. Learning about new technology by doing short courses or certification programs would be appreciated by employers and help you to grow in your career as well.Operating system knowledge
IT professionals need to have in-depth knowledge of different operating systems like Windows, Linux and macOS. You have to ensure that the operating systems run smoothly so that the company’s work is not affected. You also need to know about troubleshooting these operating systems quickly in case something goes wrong.
Educational Requirements for Information Technology Jobs
bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology is essential to entering the IT field. A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to complete and gives you the knowledge of computer administration, software development, information technology, system analysis, information security, data networking, and risk assessment. A Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Information Technology or Technology Management would help you advance your career.
Apart from a bachelor’s or master’s degree, IT professionals need to be certified in their working fields. Certifications reveal not only your skills but also your willingness to learn new things. Some of the top IT certifications include Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC).
Information Technology Resume Examples by Experience Level
If a career in information technology appeals to you, writing a resume is the first step toward it. A well-written resume is not only crucial for entry-level professionals but also for those who are looking for a job change. An overview is your way to impress the recruiter. However, following a standard resume format may not help you to get your dream job. This is why choosing the proper resume format becomes extremely important.
You can choose among three resume formats: chronological, functional and combination, based on your years of experience. Here are some more details about the resume formats:
IT Specialist
Technical Project Manager
IT Project Manager
3 Tips to Stand Out and Get the Job You Want
Create a tailor-made resume.
You spend hours creating an excellent resume. To impact the employer, it is essential to customize your resume as per the job requirements. Scan the job description provided by the company and use the keywords you see in your resume. The main benefit of this is that your resume would be picked up by the company’s ATS (application tracking system), as it includes all the relevant things they are looking for. So, create a standard resume and tweak it as per the job requirements before sending it to a potential employer.Get the relevant certifications.
When it comes to the field of information technology, updating and upgrading your skills is crucial. Technology keeps on evolving, and you need to keep up. This means knowing about the latest IT trends and enrolling yourself in certification courses where you would get to learn them. There are plenty of IT-related certification courses that you could do online along with your job. Completing relevant IT certification courses would give you an edge over your competitors.Write an impressive cover letter.
Cover letters are the most underestimated part of the whole job application process. So much time and effort are put into creating the perfect resume that the cover letter is often ignored or poorly written. However, it is essential to remember that the cover letter is the first thing the recruiter sees and is your first opportunity to grab their attention. Keep the layout of your cover letter the same as the resume. Apart from summarizing what you have mentioned in your resume, a cover letter is a good way of saying something that you cannot fit in your resume. It is a great place to highlight some of your achievements, explain a career change or career break, or tell the recruiter why you would be the right candidate for the job.
FAQ
What are the highest paying IT jobs?
Some of the highest-paying IT jobs are artificial intelligence specialists, data scientists, machine learning researchers/engineers, data engineers, full-stack engineers, cloud architects, and back-end developers.
What is the highest degree in IT?
The highest degree in IT is a doctoral degree. You can get a Ph.D. in enterprise database design, management theory creation, advancing research in information technology management, or qualitative and case study research for strategic analysis. An IT professional with a doctoral degree can gain the topmost leadership position in IT companies.