Building Your I.T. Career: A Complete Toolkit for a Dynamic Career in Any Economy, Rough Cuts, 2nd Edition

Description

This is the Rough Cut version of the printed book.

Building Your I.T. Career

A Complete Toolkit for a Dynamic Career in Any Economy

Second Edition

Break in. Move up. Earn more. Stay on top.

Get the I.T. career edge you need right now!

“They” say it’s tougher now to build a great career in I.T. “They” complain about outsourcing, cutbacks, and the tough economy. Don’t complain: act! Right this minute, outstanding I.T. jobs and careers are out there: You just have to know how to get them! This 100% I.T.-focused, up-to-the-minute toolkit delivers all the insider skills and insights you need to get your next great tech job now—and build lifelong success in the industry. It will help you plan your career, set achievable goals, organize them into practical action items, and make it happen!

Totally updated for today’s newest hiring trends, Building Your I.T. Career, Second Edition is packed with examples from real I.T. pros and hiring decision-makers, it will help you get in, get promoted, get raises, and stay in demand—one easy step at a time!

-- Focus on the I.T. careers you'll be happiest and most successful in

-- Discover what opportunity looks like today—and how to take advantage of it

-- Adopt the proactive attitudes associated with I.T. career success

-- Master the personal communication skills you need to get a job—and succeed when you have it

-- Develop more effective cover letters and resumes, and interview brilliantly

-- Break in to I.T. for the first time

-- Build your social media and offline networks, and use them to supercharge your job search

-- Negotiate salary and employment agreements that get you what you deserve

-- Learn (and do) what it takes to get promoted

-- Take advantage of telecommuting and consulting options

-- Move into management (if that's what you want)

-- Use mentors and career coaches effectively

-- Become a high-priced hourly consultant

-- Gain the personal financial discipline that liberates you to choose your best career options

-- Make yourself nearly indispensable

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I: Your Career

Chapter 1: The Toolkit Approach to Career Development

Justifying the Need for an I.T. Toolkit

Actions & Ideas

Chapter 2: Career Building Defined

The Danger of a Tool-Driven Mindset

A Job Is Not a Career

    Perspectives on Career Development: Careers Are Nonlinear

    Perspectives on Career Development: A Working Plan Makes Tedious or Unrewarding Jobs Bearable

Conclusion

Actions & Ideas

Chapter 3: Information Technology: A Great Career

Why I.T. Is a Great Career

    Options

    Performance-Based Advancement

    Opportunities for Continuous Learning

    Pay and Perks

What About Outsourcing?

    Outsourcing Is About Value, Not Costs

    The Jobs That Won’t Be Outsourced

Conclusion

Actions & Ideas

Chapter 4: Defining Yourself: Aptitudes and Desires

Considerations in Your Career Choice

    Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Needs

    Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Desires

    Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Skills

Conclusion

Actions & Ideas

Part II: Filling Your Toolkit

Chapter 5: Self-Assessment

The Power of Self-Assessment

The Dangers of Self-Assessment

Four Questions of Self-Assessment

    The Origin of the Four Questions

    Question 1: Do I Make My Employer’s Job Much Easier or Much More Difficult?

    Question 2: If I Gave Notice Today, Would My Employer Have an Instant Sense of Relief or Dread?

    Question 3: Do I Perform My Job Better Than My Employer Could Perform My Job If He/She Needed To?

    Question 4: If Asked How I Can Improve in My Job, Do I Cite External Factors–People and Resources–or Do I Take Responsibility?

Conclusion: Making It Personal

Actions & Ideas

Chapter 6: Attitude

The Effect of Attitude on Your Career

Positive Mental Attitude

    PMA Is Not a Panacea

    PMA and a Plan

Beware: Two Pitfalls of Attitude

    Unrealistic Expectations

    Skill Deficits

The Role of Attitude

    What You Think of Your Employer

    The “Us Versus Them” Mentality

    Management Got There by Luck or Schmoozing, Alone

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