Filling Your Toolkit:Chapters 8 - 10

Mrs. Eaton – ITE 105 - NRCC

The IT Career Builder’s Toolkit by Matthew Moran

Filling Your Toolkit:Chapters 8 - 10

Mrs. Eaton – ITE 105 - NRCC

The IT Career Builder’s Toolkit by Matthew Moran

Career Building: The ConceptCareer Building: The Concept

Career building is exactly that−building.

Getting a job or a string of jobs is not synonymous with building a career.

A builder must have a plan.A builder must have the right tools.

Career building is exactly that−building.

Getting a job or a string of jobs is not synonymous with building a career.

A builder must have a plan.A builder must have the right tools.

Quick Review

Introduction: Chapters 1-4Introduction: Chapters 1-4

1: Toolkit Approach to Career Development

2: Career Building Defined3: Information technology is a great career choice!

4: Defining Yourself: Aptitudes and Desires

1: Toolkit Approach to Career Development

2: Career Building Defined3: Information technology is a great career choice!

4: Defining Yourself: Aptitudes and Desires

Filling Your Toolkit: Chapters 5 - 7Filling Your Toolkit: Chapters 5 - 7A summary of what you will need...

5: Self-Assessment • Identify strengths & weaknesses

Are you valuable to your employer?

6: Attitude I have value−somewhere.No job makes a career, and no job breaks a career.You’ll need bridges, so don’t burn any.

7: Communication SkillsWritten, Verbal, Listening, Presentations

A summary of what you will need...

5: Self-Assessment • Identify strengths & weaknesses

Are you valuable to your employer?

6: Attitude I have value−somewhere.No job makes a career, and no job breaks a career.You’ll need bridges, so don’t burn any.

7: Communication SkillsWritten, Verbal, Listening, Presentations

Chapter 8 Technical SkillsChapter 8 Technical SkillsOverviewTechnology Skills are important, but other skills are more important.

More importantProfessional NetworkingCommunication SkillsUnderstand Business Concepts

Toolkit is incomplete if you only have technical skills.

OverviewTechnology Skills are important, but other skills are more important.

More importantProfessional NetworkingCommunication SkillsUnderstand Business Concepts

Toolkit is incomplete if you only have technical skills.

Chapter 8 Technical SkillsChapter 8 Technical Skills

The Role of LearningDon’t become lopsided in your career

developmentDevelop soft skillsUpdate technical skills

Fear of ObsolescenceNeed for continuous learning Burn OutDo not sacrifice learning soft skills

The Role of LearningDon’t become lopsided in your career

developmentDevelop soft skillsUpdate technical skills

Fear of ObsolescenceNeed for continuous learning Burn OutDo not sacrifice learning soft skills

Chapter 8 Technical SkillsChapter 8 Technical Skills

Transcendent SkillsMeans “going beyond” the technical skillsSoft skillsMost technology skills

Reducing the PartsProgrammer – not just a Java programmer

or .NET programmerNetwork Operating Systems – not just a

Netware, Novell or Microsoft System administrator

Transcendent SkillsMeans “going beyond” the technical skillsSoft skillsMost technology skills

Reducing the PartsProgrammer – not just a Java programmer

or .NET programmerNetwork Operating Systems – not just a

Netware, Novell or Microsoft System administrator

Chapter 8 Technical SkillsChapter 8 Technical Skills

Tips to Speed up the ProcessStart with ConceptsDon’t study what you know. Start with

What’s New or what’s different. Start with the map in your head.

Don’t worry about the latest trend/fadUnderstand the Why of Technology and

create solutions. Don’t learn only the How of Technology. Easy

to do the step-by-step tasks.

Tips to Speed up the ProcessStart with ConceptsDon’t study what you know. Start with

What’s New or what’s different. Start with the map in your head.

Don’t worry about the latest trend/fadUnderstand the Why of Technology and

create solutions. Don’t learn only the How of Technology. Easy

to do the step-by-step tasks.

Chapter 8 Technical SkillsChapter 8 Technical Skills

Concept Driven ApproachLearn how to create solutions.Learn key concepts of a technology as

they don’t change.Understand role of technology.The actual software, OS, NOS etc. is just a

tool not a solution.Focus on Solutions, Not Technology

Concept Driven ApproachLearn how to create solutions.Learn key concepts of a technology as

they don’t change.Understand role of technology.The actual software, OS, NOS etc. is just a

tool not a solution.Focus on Solutions, Not Technology

ConclusionConclusion

To become a value-added technologist, you must understand the role of technology, understand and speak in business terms, and provide solutions that are focused on that understanding.

Technology is just a tool!

To become a value-added technologist, you must understand the role of technology, understand and speak in business terms, and provide solutions that are focused on that understanding.

Technology is just a tool!

Chapter 9 The Cover Letter

Chapter 9 Cover LetterChapter 9 Cover Letter

Purpose of Cover LetterAugments resume.Do not repeat/restate items from resume.Give the big picture, summary of your talents

and skills.“If you don’t toot your own horn, nobody

will.”Maintain a sense of pride

Purpose of Cover LetterAugments resume.Do not repeat/restate items from resume.Give the big picture, summary of your talents

and skills.“If you don’t toot your own horn, nobody

will.”Maintain a sense of pride

Chapter 9 Cover LetterChapter 9 Cover Letter

Vital Ingredients of Cover Letter1. Gratitude for the opportunity.2. A significant accomplishment. 3. Your interest in becoming a producer for th

organization Create a generic cover letter that you

can easily customize. Companies don’t want to hire an

abrasive, difficult person.

Vital Ingredients of Cover Letter1. Gratitude for the opportunity.2. A significant accomplishment. 3. Your interest in becoming a producer for th

organization Create a generic cover letter that you

can easily customize. Companies don’t want to hire an

abrasive, difficult person.

Chapter 10The Resume

Chapter 10 – The ResumeChapter 10 – The Resume

Purpose of ResumeYour Ambassador to the Professional

WorldWho Looks at Resumes?

Human ResourcesIT ManagerDepartment ManagerOwner of company

Purpose of ResumeYour Ambassador to the Professional

WorldWho Looks at Resumes?

Human ResourcesIT ManagerDepartment ManagerOwner of company

Chapter 10 – The ResumeChapter 10 – The Resume

Purpose of ResumeYour Ambassador to the Professional

WorldWho Looks at Resumes?

Human Resources, IT Manager, Department Manager, Owner

Busy EmployersDisinterested Employers – other

things to do

Purpose of ResumeYour Ambassador to the Professional

WorldWho Looks at Resumes?

Human Resources, IT Manager, Department Manager, Owner

Busy EmployersDisinterested Employers – other

things to do

Chapter 10 – The ResumeChapter 10 – The Resume

Resume Basics Length: Brevity is Key – 1 page Bulleted lists – no paragraphs

1. Skills2. Experience3. Education and Accolades

Do not put initials for certifications after your name.

PhD after name (takes 4-7 years)

Resume Basics Length: Brevity is Key – 1 page Bulleted lists – no paragraphs

1. Skills2. Experience3. Education and Accolades

Do not put initials for certifications after your name.

PhD after name (takes 4-7 years)

Chapter 10 – The ResumeChapter 10 – The Resume

Resume Guidelines No special groups or unrelated awards Be honest! Job Objective (optional) Neat, looks professional Error free Experience – can omit unrelated jobs See sample resumes on CD.

Resume Guidelines No special groups or unrelated awards Be honest! Job Objective (optional) Neat, looks professional Error free Experience – can omit unrelated jobs See sample resumes on CD.

Conclusion

ConclusionConclusion

You have opportunities, even in a recession.

Careers always exist because they are long term.

You must understand the role of technology, understand and speak in business terms, and provide solutions that are focused on that understanding.

You have opportunities, even in a recession.

Careers always exist because they are long term.

You must understand the role of technology, understand and speak in business terms, and provide solutions that are focused on that understanding.