Skills Required To Land A Competitive Job In IT

Experts from the HR department at social recruitment platform jobandtalent have evaluated the IT skills most sought after by employers when recruiting for top paid positions. Jobandtalent currently hosts over 30,000 IT jobs, and sources IT talent for industry leaders such as Accenture and Clifford Chance.

 

The salary of IT professionals varies, with more competitive roles within the IT sector reaching upwards of £100,000. Despite the numerous opportunities available for professionals in this sector the competition for higher paid positions is also on the rise.

The pay gap between jobs in IT can be vast. Roles can start from £10,000 and elevate to £100,000. The difference in pay is reflected by the level of complexity of the job role. The highest paid IT jobs currently listed on jobandtalent have been carefully evaluated, and the skills employers value most have been listed below. Master them all and you may find yourself, (and your salary), soaring to new heights.

1. Ability to manage big data

Big data is a big talking point at the moment. Although experience in managing large data sets is not a requirement that most IT recruiters will ask of you for, if you have the experience and you can demonstrate that you are comfortable working with big data, that could be the difference between a decent pay and a sizeable check at the end of the month.

2. Degrees are a must

Large companies still value a degree, and to get ahead in an IT senior role it is required in almost all job descriptions. In many industries such as IT, Finance and marketing a candidate is still fiscally valued by the level of their education, meaning a candidate with a background in higher education, a degree or a postgraduate degree, is more likely to climb to the top of the IT ladder than others.

3. Managing mature teams

Having led teams of between 10-30 people is highly valued in IT. Some people will have the management skills in other areas of work, and leading an IT team doesn’t seem that different, but in actuality there is a substantial difference between the two, and recruiters will be looking for individuals comfortable with team management. Managing a team of mature people will show that you are capable of leading a company, but not only that it also shows that you are dependable and trustworthy.

4. Experience in large corporations

Working in a start-up or small company has many perks, this experience shows future employers that you are passionate, and it’s a great stepping stone into the IT field. However, large corporations will offer you the opportunity to develop worldwide connections with international clients, and work towards the company’s global objectives.

5. Advanced statistical analysis

From traditional analysis of variance and linear regression to exact methods, you must be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of statistical analysis. This knowledge will open up the possibilities in terms the number of senior roles you will be able to access.

6. Excellent communication skills

Traditionally only sales focused roles required you to have excellent communication skills. Liaising with business partners and team members is an essential requirement in IT companies, and these skills can propel you from an executive to a director. In IT you need to have the ability to convey complex analytical ideas to an array of audiences.

7. A methodical and logical nature

In high level IT jobs it is essential to be methodical. Having a methodical and a logical nature simply means to work in a systematic manner, and a logical approach to the work you are undertaking. This skill demonstrates a powerful ability to prioritise work and manage a several tasks at once.

8. IT certifications

IT certifications are used as a measure of a person’s diverse skill sets and competencies. A few of the top IT certifications that will give you an edge in your field are; Project Management Professional (PMP), a certification that showcases to the employer that you can complete tasks efficiently according to your allocated time and budget. Large corporations manage big data and the Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP) certification is essential to have from an employer’s perspective in order to show that you can tackle security breaches.

9. Leadership qualities

You need to be able to use your sphere of knowledge to lead a team of 10 or more IT professionals, training them in common concepts in the industry such as WAN/LAN solutions and DWDM. Strong leadership skills are essential, possessing experience in operational strategic planning and decision making processes.

10. A love for IT and technology

The only way to keep up in IT is learning, so you can keep up with the latest innovation. IT and technology are fast moving and fast paced so it is invaluable that you keep up to date with courses and new trends, only a genuine love for the trade would motivate you to keep up to date with the pace of IT.