10 Skills Every IT Professional Needs on Their Resume
It’s fair to say that the world has gone digital. While there are still some places without decent internet coverage, it is generally possible to connect with anyone at anytime. This has led to an explosion in global businesses as even the smallest trader can offer their wares around the globe. But, it has also led to a desperate need for IT professionals.
The Role Of The IT Professional
An IT professional is someone that creates computer systems and the infrastructure needed to support businesses. This includes purchasing the hardware and software resources to ensure all employees are properly connected to the network with adequate access to the systems.
The role is becoming increasingly complex as companies go digital, there are an array of security issues associated with being online, the IT professional needs to be aware of the risks and protect systems from harm.
Of course, they also need to be able to troubleshoot issues as and when they happen.
Before becoming an IT professional you’ll need to have a passion for computers, plenty of experience, and, of course, a qualification in the subject.
Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for Students in New South Wales to get subsidized courses.
10 Skills You’ll Need
Learning everything there is to know about computers and systems is a great start to becoming an IT professional. However, if you want to be a good or great IT professional, there are an array of skills that you should master.
1. Coding
You can’t be an IT professional without some knowledge of coding. Knowledge of computer language and how to write code is essential to all parts of the IT industry.
Of course, the depth of your coding knowledge will depend on the exact job you’re undertaking. If you’re employed to write programs you’re going to need expansive coding skills while maintaining systems needs less knowledge, although you will still need to understand and correct code, even if you’re not writing it.
It is good to be able to code in several different computer languages.
2. Communication
The ability to communicate is essential in every job. Whether you’re communicating with an employer or colleagues, you’ll need to be able to share information regarding an issue and potential solutions.
You’ll probably also be asked for your professional opinion and need to implement the agreed resolution. Being able to communicate effectively will ensure your systems evolve with the business and have the support they need.
It will also help you to build a successful team and even lead it if you have the opportunity.
3. Networks
While networking is important and helps you to stay on top of the latest developments, knowledge of networks revolves around an understanding of how information is shared between computers in the same business. These may be in the same location or using remote access.
Whether asked to create or maintain a network, you’ll need to have a good understanding of IP setup, wireless modems & routers, cloud services, SQL, and coding languages.
4. Flexibility
IT professionals have a multitude of responsibilities. This means that you may be called upon to resolve an issue at any time. You need to be flexible in your approach, aware that priorities change, this will help to ensure you’re flexible and deal with the issues in the right order.
You may also need to be flexible regarding your working ties and environment, IT professionals sometimes need to work unusual hours in order to get issues resolved in downtimes.
5. Time Management
An extension of flexibility is the need to be able to manage your own time. With a variable number of tasks to deal with and differing levels of urgency, you’ll need to be able to manage your time effectively in order to get everything done when it needs to be done.
You’ll know how long each job should take and be able to plan your time accordingly, allowing for unforeseen issues on the way.
6. Problem Solving Abilities
You’re going to be faced with a wide variety of issues, from a computer that won’t turn on to a major network failure. Your job as an IT professional is to get the systems working again as fast as possible.
To do that you’re going to need to have good problem-solving skills, ideally to analyze the issue and find the most likely problem, in order to create a solution.
7. Creativity
Tied in with the ability to problem-solve is a need to be creative. Sometimes the simplest way, or normal method, of achieving a result cannot be used or doesn’t work. You need to have a creative streak that will allow you to find an alternative solution to the issue.
It may be a temporary solution while you deal with the main issue, but the more creative you are, the easier it will be to keep your firm online and active.
8. Leadership
You may not think leadership is essential for an IT professional. After all, most of the time you may well be working alone. However, it is common for there to be more than one IT professional in a business and one of you will need to be in charge.
To lead you’ll need to be prepared to listen and to tell your staff what to do. It’s a good idea to lead by example and foster a good working relationship, you’re more likely to get the desired result from your team.
9. Mobile Skills
In excess of 50% of systems are now accessed remotely. You need to have a good understanding of mobile technology and how to automatically get your web pages sized for the small screen.
This is becoming an increasingly important part of a business and a skill you should master today, ready for the future.
10. Decision Making
When working in IT there will be times when you simply have to make a decision. This will be whether to deactivate a system when to do an update, or something a little more serious.
The point is that you need to have the ability to make a decision and stand by it. It matters less whether the decision is right or wrong than it does that you made one.
Of course, there may also be some skills that are specific to job application but, all IT professionals will need the above skills to successfully complete their jobs on a daily basis.
Tags: it knowledge, tips & tricks, writing