Advance your Tech Career with these TipsTriple Threat

2

If you want to move up through the ranks in your technology career, talent and hard

work are the bare necessities. But they aren’t going to be enough to make you

stand out. Expanding your skills, actively promoting your accomplishments and

using promotion strategies will help get you on the short list and into the “yes” pile.

3

Sharpen your Skills

1

4

1. GET CERTIFIED

65%

65% of employers take certifications into consideration when deciding between two equally qualified applicants. Commit to acquiring at least one new certificate every year if possible.

5

Know (and learn) what’s hot2Forrester Research put end-to-end business technologies at the top of their list of emerging technology trends. Add the internet of things (IoT) and current solutions like the cloud, mobile, and data analytics and you should have enough long-term knowledge on your plate to last you the next few years.

6

You are going to spend 8-10 hours a day at your job, plus extra hours acquiring more knowledge. Make sure the direction you have chosen is one that fills you up at least as much as it drains you out.

Love what you do

3

7

It’s important to know how to do one thing really well, but don’t stop there! Experiment with solutions outside your comfort zone until you develop enough general knowledge to be useful or provide cross-over support.

4. TRY NEW THINGS

8

You have a job description and 80% of your time should be spent doing that job. Use the other 20% to expand your reach into other projects or for exploring solutions to current challenges within your organization.

5. FOLLOW THE 80-20 RULE

80%

20%

9

The higher you move up the ladder, the more imperative it is that you can communicate with others well- in print and in person. You need to be able to communicate with your internal team as well as present ideas outside of your department, and even outside of your company.

Become a communication

master6

10

No matter how talented you are, you can’t move into a management position if haven’t demonstrated the ability to manage people. Take initiative and increased responsibility in projects, be trustworthy and a supportive leader.

7. PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

11

Set yourself up

for success

2

12

Be personable1Your goal should be to get at the top of people’s minds when a technology issue comes up. This means being knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. People at the bottom of the list may be extremely smart, but they won’t get promoted because people. have reservations about working with them.

13

Read how to improve communication with non-IT departments

2. INTERACT OUTSIDEYOUR DEPARTMENTGetting to know people outside your department is just good business. It gives people a chance to get to know you when you aren’t in the middle of a tech emergency, and it gives you an opportunity to learn about common issues that people in other roles are trying to tackle—issues you may be able to help resolve.

14

The old-fashioned adage about dressing for success and being on time exist for a reason. You don’t necessarily have to suit up, but dress and act in a way that shows you take your job seriously. Don’t dress for your job, dress for the job you want to have.

Act the part

3

15

4. DON’T BE INVISIBLE

If you want to be considered for a promotion, you can’t be invisible. Being a team player means being a part of team activities outside the scope of work—like team building activities, corporate sponsored sporting events, social gatherings, etc. You might find yourself in a great conversation with the CIO.

16

- resolved a big issue

- creative solution

- went above and beyond

If you resolved a big issue, went above and beyond, or devised a creative solution for an ongoing problem, make a note of it! When the time comes for a performance review or quarterly update, bring this list to highlight your accomplishments.

5. DOCUMENT YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

17

Establishing a reputation within the greater technology industry is important. Being able to point to a well-trafficked personal blog, authored articles on LinkedIn or successful solutions you provided on forums will show the higher-ups that you are a respected expert outside of work.

Manage yourreputation

6

18

7. CHECK IN WITH YOUR MANAGERS

You might think you are a great employee, but there may be room for improvement. Be open to criticism and always look for ways to improve yourself. Ask your department manager if there is anything in your performance that would stand in the way of a promotion, and if there are any pet projects you can spend a little of your extra time on.

19

3

Create a

growth strategy

20

If you want to move up, you are going to be moving closer to the business side. If you have enough knowledge about your company’s business landscape, you can implement solutions that are sensitive to the business’ client-facing operations (you know, the ones that make money).

Be a

Businessperson

1

21

Before you propose a “better” solution or wonder aloud why things are done backwards, kindly ask why things are the way they are. You may find out it was your department manager (and the one recommending you for your next promotion) who built the backwards platform to begin with.2

Ask before you speak

22

teami

^

Remove the I from team3Are you the one on the team that jumps in to do it themselves if they want it done correctly? If so, how do you expect the company to replace you? You are too valuable right where you are. Make yourself replaceable by fostering a team that can tackle the issues with your direction, not your hands-on intervention.

23

Develop a relationship with a higher-up in your department that has a vested interest in your success and can direct you, advise you and recommend you when the time comes.

Find a

mentor4

24

In order to do your job well, you need to know why your job exists and why it matters to your organization specifically. If you are a front-end developer, you aren’t just coding to specifications, you make it possible for customers to sign up, and learn about your company. Your work directly impacts sales and marketing on the other side of the building. Having that kind of overview means you are more likely to propose solutions that don’t just resolve problems, but prevent them and add value to the business.

5. KNOW THE IMPACT OF YOUR JOB

25

6. WHAT PROMOTION?

You can’t be promoted if there isn’t an open position or money in the budget. Have an open conversation with your manager to find out how the company is doing and whether the position you are after will be available in the near future.

26

Now that you know the secrets to a successful career in technology, remember

to use the knowledge wisely. Don’t get dragged into office politics, stay humble and keep solving problems with a smile.

Experts Exchange can be there every step of the way, from building your reputation,

to picking up freelance gigs, to finding your dream job - we’re here to help.

JOIN TODAY

27

See more guides, tips, and how-tos to help you succeed in your career on experts-exchange.com

28

https://www.quora.com/Career-Advice/What-are-the-real-reasons-some-people-get-promoted-and-others-dont

http://www.allbusiness.com/slideshow/ten-tips-on-career-advancement-15613675-1.html/11

http://www.smartlikehow.com/blog-native/2015/7/16/want-to-build-momentum-start-by-figuring-out-what-your-job-really-is

http://itreports.spiceworks.com/ebooks/2014-01-29/eBook-career-tips-new-CTA-Final.pdf

http://blogs.forrester.com/brian_hopkins/15-09-09-the_top_technology_trends_to_watch_2016_to_2018

Sources: