The IT Career Builder's Toolkit

by Moran, Matthew

• ISBN13: 9781587131561
• ISBN10: 1587131560
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-12-31
• Publisher: Cisco Press

Summary

Your complete guide to building your information technology career in any economy The IT Career Builderrs"s Toolkit features market-focused skills and proven methods you can use to jump-start and advance your career. While other books cover just the mechanics of preparing your reacute;sumeacute;, writing a cover letter, and interviewing, this book provides all that plus additional insight from IT career development expert, Matt Moran, to help you plan and create a rewarding IT career over the long term. The toolkit approach allows you to use this book to suit your unique needs: Are you new to the IT field? Benefit by reading the book cover to cover. Just need to fine-tune your IT career? Choose a topic and dive in. Understand and prepare for the various and changing factors that affect your career in both positive and negative ways. Learn how to Present the value of your technical skills in the job market Position yourself as the primary commodity of your career Remove the guesswork out of job searches Highlight on-the-job skills and gain meaningful professional exposure The companion CD-ROM includes career management tools such as reacute;sumeacute; and cover letter templates, forms to track important contacts, and self-assessment tools. Start or further your consulting career with sample proposals, opportunity tracking forms, and a time-tracking and billing database. Financial tools, including budget and cash-flow summary worksheets, help you gain financial well-being. Use the Value-Added Technologist presentation to gain a clear understanding of the career-building process and how to use the toolkit to build a dynamic career. Most of all, have fun! Every year, people advance along the path to career stardom. Let Matt help you to be one of them through his career philosophy "Do not accept mediocrity as a career objectivedemand more of yourself." "I want you to see the [toolkit] techniques as one more set of skills to adopt in your overall career development program. They are skills, just like your technical skills, that you will use daily during your career. Just as you adopt new technical skills, use the toolkit to define those soft skills that you must learn and put to use. The result will be a more well-rounded and complete professional skill-set." ~ Matthew Moran, from the Introduction Companion CD-ROM The CD-ROM contains valuable tools, forms, spreadsheets, and documents that work with the Toolkit to help you master key areas of your career development.

Author Biography

Matthew Moran is a consultant specializing in strategic IT initiatives, IT staff development, automated workflow and document assembly applications, and business process re-engineering. His articles on technology automation and professional development have appeared in The Wall Street Journal’s CareerJournal, Windows .NET Scripting Solutions Journal, Techies.com, Informit.com, Power Media Group’s Technology magazines, and several others. His presentations on technology careers, innovation, and creativity provide dynamic motivation with a real-world course of action. With more than 17 years experience providing business solutions as a business analyst, project manager, business owner, CIO, and VP of technology, Matt has had the opportunity to help many technology professionals create rewarding careers.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xx
Part I An Introduction to Career Building	3	(46)
The Toolkit Approach to Career Development	5	(8)
Justifying the Need for an IT Toolkit	8	(2)
Actions & Ideas	10	(3)
Career Building Defined	13	(8)
The Danger of a Tool-Driven Mindset	15	(1)
A Job Is Not a Career	16	(2)
Perspectives on Career Development: Careers Are Nonlinear	16	(1)
Perspectives on Career Development: A Working Plan Makes Tedious or Unrewarding Jobs Bearable	17	(1)
Career Building Conclusion	18	(1)
Actions & Ideas	18	(3)
Information Technology: A Great Career	21	(14)
Why IT Is a Great Career	23	(5)
Options	24	(1)
Performance-Based Advancement	25	(1)
Opportunities for Continuous Learning	26	(1)
Pay and Perks	27	(1)
What About Outsourcing?	28	(3)
Outsourcing Is About Value, Not Costs	29	(1)
The Jobs That Won't Be Outsourced	30	(1)
Conclusion	31	(1)
Actions & Ideas	31	(4)
Defining Yourself: Aptitudes and Desires	35	(14)
Considerations in Your Career Choice	37	(8)
Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Needs	37	(1)
Pay	38	(1)
Insurance	39	(1)
Training	39	(1)
Commute and Travel Time	40	(1)
Working Conditions (People, Culture, Environment, Hours)	41	(2)
Future Growth Potential	43	(1)
Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Desires	43	(1)
Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Skills	44	(1)
Beware: Analysis Paralysis	45	(1)
Conclusion	46	(1)
Actions & Ideas	46	(3)
Part II Filling Your Toolkit	49	(62)
Self-Assessment	51	(10)
The Power of Self-Assessment	51	(1)
The Dangers of Self-Assessment	52	(1)
Four Questions of Self-Assessment	53	(4)
Where the Four Questions Came From	54	(1)
Question 1: Do I Make My Employer's Job Much Easier or Much More Difficult?	54	(1)
Question 2: If I Gave Notice Today, Would My Employer Have an Instant Sense of Relief or Dread?	55	(1)
Question 3: Do I Perform My Job Better Than My Employer Could Perform My Job If He/She Needed To?	55	(1)
Question 4: If Asked How I Can Improve in My Job, Do I Cite External Factors---People and Resources---or Do I Take Responsibility?	55	(2)
Conclusion: Making It Personal	57	(1)
Actions & Ideas	57	(4)
Attitude	61	(12)
The Effect of Attitude on Your Career	61	(1)
Positive Mental Attitude	61	(1)
PMA Is Not a Panacea	62	(1)
PMA and a Plan	62	(1)
Beware: Two Pitfalls of Attitude	62	(1)
Unrealistic Expectations	63	(1)
Skill Deficits	63	(1)
The Role of Attitude	63	(6)
What You Think of Your Employer	63	(1)
The ``Us Versus Them'' Mentality	64	(1)
Management Got There by Luck or Schmoozing, Alone	64	(1)
Your Coworkers	65	(1)
Humble Arrogance: The Attitude of Personal Value	66	(1)
Ownership	67	(1)
The Myth of the Self-Made Man	68	(1)
Attitude Checks	69	(1)
Conclusion	70	(1)
Actions & Ideas	71	(2)
Communication Skills	73	(12)
Defining Communication Skills	73	(1)
The Benefit of Communication Skills: An Effective Communicator Is Viewed as More Intelligent	74	(1)
Written Communications	74	(4)
General Guidelines	75	(1)
The Letter	75	(1)
E-Mail	76	(1)
The Well-Crafted Paragraph	76	(1)
The Well-Crafted Page	77	(1)
Verbal Communication	78	(1)
Conversation	78	(1)
Presentations and Training	79	(2)
Don't Wait Until You Are Asked to Speak to Learn This Vital Skill	80	(1)
Cover No More Than Three to Five Main Points	80	(1)
Work from an Outline, Not a Script	81	(1)
Look at the Audience	81	(1)
A Brief Note on Listening	81	(1)
Conclusion	82	(1)
Actions & Ideas	82	(3)
Technical Skills	85	(10)
Your Technology Skills	85	(1)
The Role of Learning	86	(1)
The Fear of Obsolescence	86	(1)
Another Perspective: Transcendent Skills	87	(1)
Reducing the Parts	87	(1)
Tips to Speed Up the Learning Process	88	(4)
Start with Concepts	88	(1)
Don't Study What You Know	89	(1)
Don't Worry About Catching the Latest Trend	89	(1)
Focus on Solutions, Not Technology	90	(2)
Conclusion	92	(1)
Actions & Ideas	92	(3)
The Cover Letter	95	(6)
The Purpose of Your Cover Letter	95	(1)
Three Vital Ingredients in Your Cover Letter	96	(3)
Gratitude for the Opportunity	96	(1)
A Significant Accomplishment	97	(1)
Your Interest in Becoming a Producer	97	(2)
Conclusion	99	(1)
Actions & Ideas	99	(2)
The Resume	101	(10)
Your Ambassador to the Professional World	101	(1)
The Purpose of Your Resume	101	(1)
Determining Who Is Looking at Your Resume	102	(1)
Busy Employers	102	(1)
Disinterested Employers	103	(1)
Resume Basics	103	(5)
Length: Brevity Is Key	103	(1)
No Paragraphs	104	(1)
Bulleted Lists	104	(1)
Documenting Your Professional Experience	105	(1)
A Note About Certifications/Degrees on Your Resume	105	(1)
Guidelines for Writing Your Resume	106	(2)
Conclusion	108	(1)
Actions & Ideas	108	(3)
Part III Putting Your Toolkit to Use	111	(74)
Breaking into IT	113	(10)
Correcting Perception	114	(1)
IT Happens Outside of IT	115	(3)
Other Avenues into IT	118	(3)
Ask for What You Want	119	(1)
Ask for Advice	119	(2)
Conclusion	121	(1)
Actions & Ideas	121	(2)
Building an Active Contact List	123	(10)
Enjoy People	124	(1)
Develop a Personality	124	(1)
Have Other Areas of Interest	125	(1)
Engage in Conversation	126	(1)
Track and Remember Your Contacts	126	(3)
Share Opportunity	129	(1)
Conclusion	130	(1)
Actions & Ideas	130	(3)
The Job Search	133	(18)
Getting What You Want Requires Wanting Something	134	(1)
Defining the Job Search	135	(1)
Remember: Looking for Work Is Work	135	(2)
The Toolkit Approach to Finding a Job	137	(1)
Job Search Outline	138	(2)
A Job Search Comparison	140	(9)
Method 1: The Standard ``Passive'' Job Search	140	(2)
Method 2: The Proactive Job Search	142	(4)
Method 1 Versus Method 2	146	(1)
A Word About the Out-of-Town Search	147	(2)
Conclusion	149	(1)
Actions & Ideas	149	(2)
The Interview	151	(12)
Practice Your Interview Skills	154	(5)
Be Prepared to Answer Difficult Questions	154	(1)
What Professional Accomplishment Are You Most Proud Of?	155	(1)
What Do You Feel Is Your Greatest Strength? Greatest Weakness?	155	(1)
Why Are You Leaving Your Last Job?	156	(2)
Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?	158	(1)
After the Interview	159	(2)
Conclusion	161	(1)
Actions & Ideas	161	(2)
Salary Negotiations and Employment Agreements	163	(10)
Start Early	163	(1)
Know What You Want	164	(1)
Understand the Employer's Perspective	164	(1)
Be Creative	165	(1)
Be Firm	166	(1)
Your Worth to the Company	166	(1)
Negotiations Never Fail	167	(1)
Be Flexible	167	(1)
Employment Agreements	167	(3)
Seek Legal Counsel	168	(1)
Assumptions	168	(1)
Deliverables	168	(1)
Bonuses and Performance Perks	169	(1)
Conclusion	170	(1)
Actions & Ideas	170	(3)
On-the-Job Promotion	173	(12)
On the Job	174	(1)
Maintaining and Building Your Network	174	(1)
Identifying Areas for Success	175	(1)
Attitude	176	(1)
Working for a Tyrant and Other Joys	177	(6)
Determine Whether Your Boss's Actions Are Personality or Personal	177	(2)
Understand That People Are ``Where They Are''	179	(1)
Take an Objective Path to Evaluating What They Say	180	(1)
Handling Criticism	180	(1)
Determine Whether What Someone Is Saying Is True	180	(1)
Determine Whether It Is Something You Need to Change	181	(1)
Talk to Someone About a Behavior	181	(1)
Don't Swallow Your Pride---Control It	182	(1)
Conclusion	183	(1)
Actions & Ideas	183	(2)
Part IV More Options to Build Your Career	185	(40)
The Boundaries and Benefits of Working at Home	187	(12)
Careers That Lend Themselves to Telecommuting	188	(1)
The Benefits for the Employee	189	(1)
The Benefits for the Employer	189	(1)
The Concerns for the Employee	190	(1)
The Concerns for the Employer	191	(1)
Conclusion: Next Steps	191	(1)
Keys to Successful Telecommuting	192	(4)
Project-Based/Free-Agent Mindset	193	(1)
Apply Discipline	193	(1)
Clear Expectations	193	(1)
Technologies for the Telecommuter	194	(1)
VPNs	194	(1)
IM Services	194	(1)
Resources for the Home Worker	195	(1)
Conclusion	196	(1)
Actions & Ideas	196	(3)
The Toolkit Approach to Consulting	199	(16)
The Consulting Life	201	(1)
The Benefits	201	(2)
Respect	201	(1)
Schedule	202	(1)
Exciting Projects	202	(1)
Compensation	203	(1)
The Pitfalls	203	(7)
Business Planning: Taxes, Legal	203	(1)
Billing	204	(1)
Current Workload	204	(1)
Inaccurate Records	205	(1)
Trading Time for Dollars	205	(1)
Schedule	206	(1)
Ongoing Marketing	207	(1)
Ideas on Getting Published	208	(1)
The Process of Getting Published	208	(2)
Resources for the Consultant	210	(1)
CD-ROM Materials for the Consultant	211	(1)
Conclusion	212	(1)
Actions & Ideas	212	(3)
The Move to Management	215	(10)
Leadership	216	(1)
Process and Time Management	217	(1)
Critical Skills You Need Now	218	(5)
Presentation and Meeting Skills	218	(2)
Team-Building Skills	220	(1)
Give Credit Where Credit Is Due	220	(1)
Promote Your Team and Its Members	220	(1)
Foster an Environment That Allows for (Even Celebrates) Failure	221	(1)
Create a Project/Contract Mentality with Those You Report to and Those Who Report to You	222	(1)
Conclusion	223	(1)
Actions & Ideas	223	(2)
Part V The Value-Added Technologist	225	(48)
Make Yourself Indispensable	227	(12)
A Word About Value	228	(1)
Being Proactive	229	(1)
Understanding Technology's Role in the Organization	229	(1)
Maintain a Business-First Mentality	230	(1)
Create Standards, Automation, or a Programmer's Toolkit	230	(1)
Create a Peer Knowledge Network	231	(1)
Be Known As the Go-To Resource	232	(1)
Be Ready and Willing to Take on the Necessary Responsibility	232	(1)
Have Experts You Call On for Your Organization	233	(1)
Be Passionate About Something!	233	(1)
Never Blame, and Always Have a Corrective Plan	234	(1)
Adopt Concept Over Process	234	(2)
Conclusion	236	(1)
Actions & Ideas	236	(3)
Concept Over Process	239	(18)
What to Expect	239	(1)
What Not to Expect	240	(1)
COP Objectives	240	(1)
COP Origins	241	(1)
What Is a Process-Driven Mindset?	242	(3)
The Role of Technology	243	(1)
Role 1: Storage and Retrieval of Information	243	(1)
Role 2: The Automation of Delivery of Product or Service	244	(1)
Moving from Process Driven to Concept Driven	245	(9)
A Concentric View	245	(2)
A Note About Time	247	(1)
Developing Proactive Solutions	247	(1)
A Warning/Suggestion	247	(1)
COP Is Not About Technology!	248	(1)
Start with the Goal of Business	248	(1)
Understand Your Objective as an Employee	248	(1)
What About Mission Statements?	248	(1)
From Goal to Analysis	249	(1)
Understand the Industry	249	(1)
Understand the Business: The Organization's Role in Its Industry	250	(1)
Understand the Workflow	250	(1)
Understand the Relationships: Interactions/Dependencies	250	(1)
Workflow Analysis	251	(1)
Project Definition	251	(1)
Myth of Limitation	252	(1)
What If?	252	(1)
Congruencies, Incongruencies, and Omissions	253	(1)
Conclusion	254	(1)
Actions & Ideas	254	(3)
The Role of Mentoring	257	(6)
Mentor Characteristics	258	(1)
Mentoring Others	259	(2)
What Qualifies Me as a Mentor?	259	(1)
The Role of Mentor Is Not a Power Position	260	(1)
Encourage and Stretch	260	(1)
Point to Other Mentors or Resources	260	(1)
Conclusion	261	(1)
Actions & Ideas	261	(2)
Financial Control	263	(10)
The Impact of Finances on Career Building	263	(1)
Financial Control Creates Options	264	(1)
Financial Control Is Largely Mental	264	(1)
Money Is a Tool	265	(1)
Debt and Spending	266	(1)
Some Basics of Financial Planning and Stability	266	(4)
Defining a Basic Budget	267	(1)
Defining Your Core Needs	267	(1)
Establishing Your Spending History	268	(1)
Creating Your Budget	268	(1)
Cash Flow Summary: A Weekly Plan	269	(1)
Conclusion	270	(1)
Actions & Ideas	270	(3)
Index	273