Get to the top of the IT jobs ladder
Many of the most prestigious IT job roles aren't always openly advertised and applicants are often sourced in a variety of ways, typically via specialist recruitment consultants or headhunters specialising in senior management IT jobs.
For more information about Senior IT appointments, please email HITSeniorAppointmentsTeam@hays.com.
So, what can you do to put yourself in the best possible position to take advantage of such opportunities when they arise?
Raising your profile
Some people work hard at cultivating their profile. Credibility and visibility are the end products of supporting and adding value to your industry. Attending and speaking at high profile IT industry events and conferences, championing a key issue that’s close to your heart and providing press commentaries are just some of the ways of making your mark and being noticed by your peers.
Inter-industry networking
It is imperative that you cultivate relationships, not only with your immediate colleagues but also with other people who matter from other industries.
New jobs in IT, people moves, company restructures etc. are often topics of conversation at the big events and being in the loop will increase your awareness, and potentially, your market worth. Giving advice or helping out others can often prove fruitful to your future career as one good turn will be often be reciprocated by another.
Continuing education
You must keep abreast of all the latest IT developments – this might mean attending courses to counteract any skills gaps you may have and generally work on your points of weakness. The same applies if you are a specialist in order to stay ahead of the game.
Being an exceptional IT strategist is not enough; you must also have a solid commercial grounding and be able to advise other functional heads.
Geographical flexibility
Weighing up your options for IT jobs and widening your horizons has never been more pertinent given the global nature of the IT profession. Should you wish to venture abroad, not only must your skills meet the country’s requirements but other factors, such as encountering a new culture and ethics need thinking about. If you choose to stay in the UK, logistical planning will still apply if commuting or relocating to another part of the country.
Plan ahead
Looking for the right senior IT job can take months; therefore it is worth putting in the time to fine-tune your CV, as this is your passport to success. A recruitment partner with specialist expertise of the senior IT market will be able to provide guidance and will have in-depth knowledge as to the kinds of opportunity that exist in the IT marketplace.
Your network of mentors/peers will also assist with your decision-making, as there are many things you need to consider, for example the type of company you want to work for, which sector and whether or not you want to go down the overseas route.
