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So, you have been working for the IT department of your company for a while now, but you feel that you are prepared to take the next step. Whether you want to pursue a management position or you want to occupy a brand new IT position, there are some skills you must develop if you want to propel your career forward.
Develop your contacts
It is a common saying that it is not important what you know but who you know. While in the IT field, this is not entirely true (since knowledge is of the utmost importance), the second part of the sentence could not be truer. If you want to catch the train towards promotion, it is a wise idea to get in touch and develop a closer relationship with people in your company that pull the strings.
Learn from the best
Regardless of how well you think you are prepared to take the next step in your tech career, it is important to keep in mind that there are others that are already where you want to be, which means that they know more than you do. It is quite recommendable to get a mentor inside the company and learn from them. Be prepared to sacrifice some of your personal time in order to take advantage of mentoring, and do not forget to start your search for a mentor by asking your boss about it.
Get the required certifications
If you already have a clear idea about what the position you intend to apply for is all about, now it is the right time to start gathering the necessary certifications. There is nothing telling better 'I am the right person for this position' than a resume that includes all the needed certifications for the said position. Keep an open mind about certifications, though. While some can lead to a raise in pay, others are just needed for occupying a certain position.
Learn additional skills
No matter how great you are as an IT professional, if you want to advance in your career, it is very important to expand your horizons, and learn skills that do not necessarily pertain to your field of activity. The best positions in this field, as it happens to many other fields, are management positions that require not only the proper qualifications as an IT professional, but also managerial skills. You will need to be able to motivate others to become goal-driven, to communicate your ideas well, and to set an example for the people in your team.
Think outside the box
While this may sound like a cliché, it is true especially when it comes to a competitive field of activity, such as IT. Be prepared to accept and explore new ideas, because this is the kind of skill required for someone looking to advance in their IT career.
You must also develop business skills, and the ability to set new goals of profitability and success for the company you are working for. This way, you will present yourself as a worthy candidate for a managerial position.
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