There are myths, truths, and half-truths floating around about how to get a job in IT. Some say it is easy, some difficult, some well-paid, some slave-like conditions and some say IT jobs are like some kind of geek nirvana, with everything taken care of for you and nothing to do all day but code.
Getting an information technology job can be difficult and does not magically happen with IT recruitment experts. First and foremost, any person who is job-seeking needs to have experience. If new to IT, experience is seemingly difficult to come by as a kind of Catch-22 is in place - no one wants to hire anyone without experience and it isn't possible to get experience without getting a job. With most code requiring a compiler to work, it is often difficult to get the required experience to get a job.
Key to the start of this process is choosing a discipline. There are a number of different disciplines within IT which, while all classified as jobs in IT, require completely different skills sets as well as different personal strengths sets. This means someone ideal for a database job will be a different type of person than a Python developer, requiring different skill sets, different training and different personal strengths. Both require a very logical way of approaching things and methodical mind-set however they also require different languages.
Languages do differ within IT jobs, however learning a language which requires structure and discipline is a great way to lay the correct foundation for being able to then pick up other languages more easily. Additionally, learning C and/or C++ will give anyone the right foundations for the best start in coding most languages including C#, Java, Python, Ruby and other in demand roles. These are, of course, structured languages which require learning the language, libraries and other related elements which is not easy.
Having a profile website where prospective employers can see examples of previous work does help, though most jobs do also require that a test is taken to either correct or write code on the spot then explain what the correction or code decisions made. A portfolio site will get an applicant past the initial hurdle of trying to get an interview where the exam happens. It is essential to get to an interview in order to be able to prove skills. Joining a website with a CV database can also help you get found as a prospective candidate.
Understanding and learning code does not need to take place at a university and those courses do not always offer the right or commercially viable methodologies for writing code. Different coding languages can be learned independently through online courses and as an apprentice. The quality of code, speed at which it can be written, accuracy and efficiency are what matter to an employer.
Make sure that when applying for a job in IT you understand what is expected. If you are expected to know Java and Python, only knowing Roby on Rails will mean it is less likely you'll get the job. Other languages can often be picked up quickly if code languages such as C++ are foundational to an applicant's skills however this may not help get an interview. Understanding what coding skills are needed and practicing are key, as is having examples of work.
Most code needs compiling, either by a browser or a compiler in the case of a program written in C++ and these programs are sometimes out of the reach of budgets. Volunteering for companies to help them by writing programs for them can sometimes help you get access to a compiler or other online collectives. Some compilers are inexpensive but they don't always flag where in the code the problem is.
Ensuring you have learned the right foundational and modern languages, having examples of your code expertise, understanding how to structure code and being able to prove your expertise are all key for getting a job in IT. Remember to use an IT recruitment specialist, a specialist job site and your own portfolio site to ensure you get employed fast.
Get the right foundation language and all other coding languages will be easy to learn from there. No matter what you do when looking to get a job in IT, make sure the foundation languages and code structure are spot on and you'll always be able to pick up a new language quickly.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Flowers
No comments:
Post a Comment