How To Land A Good Job In IT

Looking to join one of the most in-demand industries nationwide? Despite pandemic-related disruptions, Australia’s ICT field stands as one of the country’s most critical sectors – experiencing a boom of 33,400 workers in 2020. This spike, set in the heat of COVID-19, has reached a new peak of 805,525 technology workers across the nation.

As global reliance on online services, tools, and communications continue to rise (now fueled by the growing popularity of telecommuting) – the tech industry will likely experience further expansion. In fact, Deloitte research predicts over 1.1 million technology workers in Australia by 2026.

Holding plenty of flexible work options, competitive salaries, and a landscape of endless opportunity and innovation – it’s no wonder plenty aspire to the sector.

Below, we outline five steps to landing a quality, well-paid job in IT, and how training with Lumify Learn can help.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before diving head-first into the ICT field, it pays to do a little digging.

Assess the landscape and where the current skills demands lie. According to a recent report by Hays, cloud engineers, security consultants, and full stack developers are currently among the most sought-after roles in the industry. These may vary depending on the year, but keeping in touch with the current market can help you pinpoint rising sectors and lucrative opportunities.

However, do consider where your specific interests, passions, and strengths lie, and map out your career goals accordingly. Cloud computing may be ripe with job prospects, though perhaps your flair for visual creativity would fit best in the field of web development. Your analytical skills may suit a cyber security career, though you may fare better on the programming side of things – rather than customer-facing, consultancy roles.

An understanding of the ICT sector and its current skills gaps, demands, and key companies can help in effectively planning your next steps and ideal career path.

PURSUE A QUALIFICATION

Of course, snagging an exciting, lucrative IT job comes with quality skills, knowledge, and experience. If you find yourself short in any of these, it may be worth considering further training.

Plenty of qualifications are now available across every area of ICT, with many accessible online. Lumify Learn, for example, offers a generous selection of tech courses from general IT practice to specialised areas of data science, , and cyber security. All programs are delivered digitally – which not only grant students the freedom to access their training when and where they choose, but also current professionals the flexibility of studying around their busy schedules.

Undertaking a course can help you build a more comprehensive understanding of your chosen field, touching on the theoretical concepts and principles as well as the technical, practical skills. This adds to your value as a job market candidate, as it verifies your expertise for potential employers.

TAKE UP AN INTERNSHIP

Internships are valuable for putting your newfound skills to practice in an actual, real-life workplace. Upon completing a qualification, consider bolstering your experience through these opportunities.

A quick search on popular job site, Indeed, shows over 120 ICT internships currently available in Australia. Some companies even offer fully-fledged internship programs, providing students an in-depth, thorough experience of the sector while completing their training. Dell Technologies’ Internship Program, for example, offers insight into the newest ICT trends as well as training in the latest data solutions and consultative practices.

These opportunities are valuable in providing an accurate “test-drive” of your chosen field, helping you gain an understanding of common practices, expectations, and what your day-to-day schedule may look like. They also help in building your business network, as you’ll likely be learning from industry veterans and collaborating with others on specific projects or regular tasks.

Depending on their performance and unique contributions, some interns may even find themselves offered a full-time position at their company.

HONE YOUR SKILLS THROUGH PERSONAL PROJECTS

While qualifications and work experience are a must, it’s also important to pursue your own passions and interests the field. Take the time to work on your own personal projects or ventures, as this will build your portfolio for future employment opportunities. These give you a chance to demonstrate your initiative and creativity to potential employers, while also building further experience and exercising your skills.

It may also be worth seeking out collaborations or partnerships with other ICT professionals. Plenty of online communities are now available to help you connect with other rising or long-time talents in the field. Such networks may be as small as a Facebook or LinkedIn group – or may take the form of entire social media platforms, such as GitHub, Stack Overflow, or Dev. Either way, these communities can help you expand your industry network, expose yourself to new ideas, and learn from those with greater skills and experience. You never know, you may even form professional partnerships for the long haul.

Focusing on your own projects not only challenges and advances your current skillset, it also helps determine your strengths, your areas for improvement, and where your true interests lie.

CRAFT AN ENGAGING ONLINE RESUME

It goes without saying that a traditional, up-to-date CV is necessary for any job hunt – but to truly stand out in the IT field, it pays to work on your online resume, too.

This involves – though is not limited to – polishing your LinkedIn profile. Statistics show that three people are hired through LinkedIn every minute, making it one of the most effective platforms for recruiters and job-seekers alike. Take advantage of the tools they provide to highlight your relevant experiences, unique skills, and the ideas you have to offer. As a social network, however, don’t forget to reach out to potential contacts and share relevant content on your feed from time to time. This can help effectively grow your online network while demonstrating passion and engagement for your industry.

LinkedIn, of course, isn’t the only tool for helping build your online portfolio. You may also choose to invest in your own website, as this grants you the freedom of showcasing your personal brand in a style, structure, and aesthetic of your choice. This can be especially valuable for aspiring web developers, as it offers them a platform for flaunting past projects while demonstrating their skills in coding, visual design, and general website development.

In a field that embraces the digital realm, online portfolios and resumes are a necessity for landing you that ideal IT career.

BUILD YOUR SKILLS FOR THE IT FIELD TODAY!

Ready to kickstart your journey into ICT?

As mentioned, Lumify Learn offers a wide selection of training programs to get you started. Build your skills in the rising, in-demand sectors of cloud computing, networking, cyber security, and more – offered through certificate, diploma, and even boot camp courses.

Best of all, with all qualifications delivered online, you’re able to tailor your study schedule according to your specific needs.

Enter the exciting, ever-evolving world of ICT, and enquire with us on a course today.

Lumify Learn offers a wide range of courses:

ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Back End Web Development)
ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Advanced Networking)
ICT40120 Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking)
ICT40120 Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development)
ICT40120 Certificate IV in Information Technology (Systems Administration Support)
ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology

Certified Project Management Professional
Certified Full Stack Developer
Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional
Certified Cyber Security Professional
Certified Data Science Professional

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