I’ve spoken several times about IT job particularities and the general remote job market and the opportunities therein. Today’s post is more on that, but today we’re going to approach the subject from a job-hunter’s point of view.
You’re that person seeking that one remote job opportunity that’s waiting for you (like the ones we have available). Perhaps you have a background in IT already, perhaps you just want to start doing something new and promising. Either way, I want to write some pointers on the skills IT workers need or benefit from; skills you might already have or are trying to improve.
A Skill That’s Good for Anything
Let’s start with a soft skill, one that’s simply good for anything, and that’s communication. IT jobs typically involve some type of interaction, whether it be in person, over the phone, or emailing (more in tune with our remote mindset). It’s essential to be able to write clearly and concisely and explain technical processes in terms that customers and fellow employees can digest.
This is something that applies to almost any job really, or even to things beyond the professional life. But it’s important to stress that good communication skills help with everything else, and can also serve to distinguish you as a professional. This can be the difference between you and someone else.
Head in the Clouds
Similarly to the above, here’s another skill that aids in other areas of IT jobs, and that’s Cloud skills. Cloud Computing truly is the ultimate highway, opening new channels of revenue by synergizing with technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Other topics like data analytics, networking, project management, and cybersecurity all are positively affected by the implementation of Cloud tech.
Cloud Computing happens to be one of the most invested-in areas in the IT industry and roles such as Cloud Administrator, and Cloud Architect.
Additionally, jobs related to Cloud tech and its administration have proven to be less affected by economic recessions, such as everything that’s happened with the whole COVID-19 situation that I and other writers in our blog have covered. In fact, according to Global Knowledge, these specific jobs in the IT area are not only recession-resistant but also likely to grow in 2021.
Back to Basics
We’ve touched on the most general, a soft skill. We’ve talked about something very specific, Cloud Computing. Now let’s go over some basics any aspirant for an IT position should have. We begin with coding. It’s almost an axiom that any IT worker should know their coding.
One of the most common and basic skill sets an employer often requires from an IT professional is the ability to write code. Most IT jobs perform programming software and web development tasks. It is also beneficial to have coding skills in several languages such as C++, Python, Java, and Ruby.
To touch back to communication, we can also mention Technical Writing as a hard skill an IT professional should have. Perhaps you have the technical knowledge, but the people you have to work with and explain things to, clients or coworkers, simply don’t have the same ease.
Professional Skills To Get IT Jobs
The IT professional has to be able to connect with them, make them understand, and communicate instructions with ease and technical expertise to get things done.
Another very common demand for IT people is that of Network Configuration skills or Network Knowledge. Setting things up and keeping them running smoothly so everyone else can do their jobs more easily, that all rides on Networks.
Some key IT positions often ask for Network Administrators, who are responsible for setting up networks and administering them, which involves knowledge such as IP setup, wireless routers, cloud services, and coding.
What about Hardware? Setting things up, and disassembling them down for ease of movement. This particular skill is of more use for in-person jobs but can come in handy for remote jobs that require guiding clients through set up processes.
The Entertainment industry and even the Military Industrial Complex have regular uses for this skill set, needing to set up and then pack up equipment for specific events, like concerts or training.
If you want to read even more basic hard skills or some other soft skill that you, as an IT professional might find of use, or even if you just want to scratch them from your checklist of skills, here’s an article from Indeed that has you covered.
Preparation and Perseverance
As with many things, you can shine from your preparation for your job, and the perseverance to keep on going and improve yourself with each iteration, each milestone crossed.
After you read these skills, check yourself; which skills have you mastered? Which do you think you need to improve a little? Which one would you say it’s your weakest point? Self-analysis is part of continuous improvement, and checking your strengths and to-improve areas is part of achieving your best self, professionally and otherwise!
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