Welcome to the Career Development category on Tech2Exec! In this category, we will explore areas to help the up-and-coming tech exec or IT professional move forward in their career.
As a tech executive, I’m frequently asked by soon-to-be college graduates about how to make their resumes stand out. Crafting your first resume is crucial, and having a strong foundation ensures that both its format and content can evolve effectively over time.
First, if you are going into an IT career and you’ve done an internship, that’s a big plus. Second, if you’ve attended on campus career fairs and met big companies who are doing campus recruiting, you’ll have received some good exposure to what companies are looking for in talent. If you have not done these things let me help with some thoughts.
Adapt your resume.
For your technology major, professors often discuss how your skills apply to industry. Research key companies and explore their main web pages. Uncover their initiatives to gain insight. When applying for jobs, carefully read the job description and adapt your resume accordingly. Be honest to avoid issues during interviews. Look for jobs that align with your education, emphasizing the projects and specific skills you learned on campus to compensate for lack of industry experience.
Factor in soft skills.
Once you have the technical part of your resume worked up, lace in the soft skills. Soft skills are the communication, presentation and people management skills that technical people tend not to be the best at.
Yes, understood, you want a technical job. However, many employers are looking for well-rounded technology professionals. If you can emphasize and prove that you have outstanding communication skills, it’ll put you ahead of many of your peers who are relying on their technical skills alone. Also, if you have aspirations to lead and make your way up the executive ladder, having the soft skills are going to be a must.
I was reading a funny story about Henry Kissingerthat highlight why it’s important to ask questions. If you don’t know who Dr. Kissinger is, you are probably too young. He was the Secretary of State during the Nixon Administration and considered one of the smartest SoS’s ever.
Henry Kissinger’s speech writer handed Kissinger the latest speech for him to review. Kissinger wrote on the paper, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer rewrote the piece and handed it to Kissinger for his thoughts. Kissinger wrote the same thing, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer did two more revisions with the same responses. Finally, frustrated, he told Kissinger that it was the best he could do. Kissinger said, “Okay, now I’ll read it.”
This anecdote shared by Kissinger’s speech writer highlights the importance of constant and thorough review in creating quality content. In today’s digital world, with rapid information sharing, we often overlook the need to review our work.
To stand out online, prioritize content quality over quantity for businesses and individuals alike. This means taking the time to carefully craft and review each piece before publishing it.
Similar to Kissinger’s speechwriter, we may undergo multiple revisions before reaching a final product we’re proud of. Like Kissinger, who read the speech only when it was perfect, we should publish when confident in our work’s quality.
Reviewing our content helps us catch overlooked errors, maintaining credibility and professionalism. Errors can damage our reputation.
Furthermore, by thoroughly reviewing our content before publishing it, we give ourselves the opportunity to refine and improve upon it. We can add more clarity, strengthen arguments, and make sure each point is effectively conveyed to our audience.
In conclusion, prioritizing the review process when creating content is crucial for success in today’s digital landscape. It ensures high-quality, engaging content that meets audience needs and reflects positively on your brand. Don’t forget to set aside time for review and revision when creating content – your readers (and reputation) will thank you.
And… moral of the story:
Unless you like doing a lot of unnecessary extra work, make sure you understand what the boss is saying. It’s okay to ask questions. That’s what meetings are for. Don’t just nod and agree without fully comprehending the task at hand.
As a tech executive, it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced environment and numerous tasks that require completion. However, it’s important to remember that understanding your boss’s instructions is crucial in order to successfully complete your work.
Sometimes, to seem competent or avoid looking ignorant, we nod along with our boss without fully understanding their requests. This can lead to confusion and wasted time as we try to figure things out on our own.
Your boss comes to you and says, “I need you to do this immediately, it’s a priority.” However, this is number 10 of the “priorities” that your boss has dropped on you in the past week.
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to complete everything on time? Look on the bright side – maybe your boss is just giving you extra work because they value your skills. It might sound unlikely, but who knows? Regardless, you’ll still need to find a way to get everything done efficiently. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your workload.
Firstly, it’s important to prioritize your tasks. Make a list of everything that needs to be done and rank them in order of importance. This will help you focus on the most crucial tasks first and avoid wasting time on less urgent ones.
Next, try breaking down larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. This will make the workload seem less daunting and allow you to tackle each task one at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
Additionally, consider delegating some tasks if possible. If there are colleagues or team members who can assist with certain tasks, don’t hesitate to ask for their help. It’s important to recognize that you don’t have to do everything on your own.
Another helpful tip for staying organized and efficient is to utilize technology. There are many productivity apps and tools available that can help you manage your tasks, set reminders, and track your progress. Find the ones that work best for you and incorporate them into your daily routine.
It’s also crucial to take breaks throughout the day. Working nonstop can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Make sure to schedule in short breaks or even a lunch break to recharge and refocus.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to say no if necessary. If your workload becomes too overwhelming or if a task does not align with your priorities, it’s okayto push back – nicely – so that you help your boss understand that they have provided you with too many “priorities.” “Nicely” is the key word. Because you are stressed and overworked you can overreact to the request and snap at your boss. Never a good thing as it could make you look unprofessional.
But if you keep accepting these assignments your boss will assume that you can handle them and will most likely keep giving you more. Ouch. You certainly don’t want all this work impacting your work life balance, and especially your health.
In conclusion, to help overcome being an overwhelmed IT professional, time management is a vital skill. By setting goals, prioritizing tasks, utilizing technology, taking breaks, and learning to say no when needed, you can effectively manage your time and achieve success in both your personal and professional life. Remember to continuously review and adjust your methods as needed to find what works best for you. With practice and determination, you can become a master of your own time.
In today’s fast-changing business world, technology is essential in all sectors and roles, no matter one’s position in an organization. Savvy tech executives recognize the necessity of understanding technology and the importance of keeping leaders apprised of the latest technological advancements and innovations that could influence the company’s strategy and operations. They meticulously devise a comprehensive plan to ensure seamless communication and knowledge sharing among the leadership team. This strategy may involve briefings, reports, or workshops to educate and engage leaders, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
Having a technology plan helps the organization stay ahead, using technology for a competitive edge in the market.
Laptops are indispensable in personal and professional life, requiring users to master essential apps like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. These skills are foundational for a wide range of tasks, from creating presentations to managing documents and spreadsheets. However, mere familiarity with using a laptop and these applications is not sufficient in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. It’s crucial to engage and learn how technology is transforming your industry and how to leverage it to stay competitive.
You might have heard of the term “Cloud”, a fundamental innovation that allows for the storage and access of data and programs over the internet instead of on local hard drives. But have you considered what it truly means and how it can benefit your business? Grasping cloud computing can lead to efficiency, cost savings, and rapid scaling of operations, crucial advantages in today’s business landscape.
Data is immensely valuable today, prompting many organizations to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for leveraging insights and making informed decisions based on this wealth of information. These AI solutions analyze large datasets to identify patterns, forecast trends, and automate processes, improving decision-making and planning. But how does it all function? Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz around ChatGPT, an AI model that generates human-like text, answers queries, and assists in creative tasks. Are you familiar with this technology and its potential for your business? From automating customer service to content creation, ChatGPT offers many possibilities.
Being well-informed and understanding technology advancements is crucial, as it can greatly benefit your career and company.
In today’s fast-paced business world, technology evolves rapidly, and keeping up is essential for competitiveness. Embracing transformative technologies like cloud computing and AI boosts efficiency and innovation, positioning your company to seize new opportunities. These technologies streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and unlock new potential for growth. By adopting these advancements, your company can better respond to market trends and customer needs, keeping it at the forefront of industry developments.
In conclusion, understanding technology is crucial for the advancement of tech executives. It is your duty to remain informed and educate others about the latest technological innovations pertinent to your industry. Continuously learning and adapting to new technologies can greatly benefit your company, helping it maintain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced business environment. Keep exploring and embracing technology, as the possibilities for you and your organization are vast. Don’t miss the opportunity to lead at the forefront of these exciting developments. With technology evolving at an unprecedented rate, it brings endless possibilities and opportunities for growth. As a tech executive, it’s vital to evolve and adapt alongside these changes to stay ahead of the curve.
As a tech executive, I am often asked for advice on effective job search strategies, especially in today’s fast-changing market. In the past, job seekers would painstakingly craft and mail physical resumes, hoping for a response from potential employers—often enduring long waits with no guarantee of feedback. Today, in the digital age, LinkedIn emerges as an indispensable platform for expanding your professional network and enhancing your job search endeavors.
LinkedIn offers unique opportunities to connect with industry peers, expand your network, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Clearly stating your job search objectives on your LinkedIn profile is vital, as it signals to your connections and prospective employers that you are actively seeking new opportunities. Including a direct link to your updated profile is beneficial, allowing viewers easy access to your professional achievements and information.
Furthermore, LinkedIn enables proactive engagement with professionals at companies where you aspire to work. This involves reaching out, connecting with them, and politely requesting endorsements or recommendations for roles aligning with your skills and career goals. Such outreach can yield valuable insights into the organization and potential job openings.
Be prepared for some outreach to go unanswered, as not everyone will respond to your connection requests.
However, persistence is key in the job search process. One of LinkedIn’s greatest strengths is its extensive network, spanning industries and geographic locations. As you grow your network, adding new connections becomes progressively easier, facilitated by mutual acquaintances and shared interests.
Here are some steps for getting set up on LinkedIn:
Optimize Your Profile: Your LinkedIn profile acts as your digital resume and personal branding tool. Because of that, ensure it accurately represents your experience, skills, and achievements. Choose a professional photo and include a compelling headline that succinctly summarizes your expertise.
Build Your Network: Connect with colleagues, friends, classmates, and industry professionals. So, use LinkedIn’s “People You May Know” feature to discover new connections and reach out with personalized requests.
Join Relevant Groups: LinkedIn groups are valuable for networking and staying informed about industry news and trends. Many job postings are shared within these groups, providing a resource for job seekers.
Actively Engage: Participate in discussions and share relevant content to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. This helps establish you as a thought leader and increases your visibility to employers.
Utilize Advanced Search Functions: LinkedIn’s advanced search allows filtering job postings by location, industry, experience level, and more, helping to narrow your search to targeted results.
Leverage Recommendations: Recommendations from previous employers or colleagues can significantly enhance your credibility. Include these on your profile and request them from people familiar with your skills and work ethic.
Utilize Job Alerts: Set up job alerts for specific keywords, industries, or companies. This feature notifies you of relevant postings, helping you stay on top of opportunities.
Be mindful that a free account has limits on your connections and searches.
To fully leverage the platform’s benefits, consider investing in a premium license.
In summary, by applying these tips and effectively leveraging LinkedIn, you can greatly enhance your chances of finding a job that aligns with your career goals. Remember to stay active on the platform, consistently engage with your network, and expand your connections to boost your visibility in the job market.
