If you’re looking for a job in IT, congratulations! There’s never been a better time to be an IT security pro on the prowl for a new gig. On the flip side, if you’re looking to fill a job in IT, well, good luck doing it on your own. Without some help, you’re probably in quite a bind. Let us explain.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Oftentimes, people will choose a job based on the fact that it’s a perfect fit. Believe it or not, that might not always be the best decision. With the IT industry is expected to grow 4.1 percent this year[1], now is a good time to truly discover your options. As an IT professional, you are in a unique position to control your own future and decide the direction you want to take. Why not take a chance and work on a network security project you’re somewhat unfamiliar with? Maybe accept a security architect role with an off-the-beaten-path company where you can really make a difference?
SEEK OPPORTUNITIES THAT VALUE YOUR WORK OVER JOBS THAT JUST OFFER "ENTICING" PERKS
According to a KPMG study, 26 percent of IT professionals say they’d consider leaving a job if their workplace wellbeing was poor[2]. That means that over a quarter of the IT workforce is willing to leave their comfortable, well-paying jobs and adapt to a completely new workplace environment if they feel their work is undervalued or lacks fulfillment. The best way to avoid this? Don’t get distracted by that sexy job at the startup company with the cool slide in the office and bartender in the kitchen like some talented IT folks do. Instead, start searching for a job that you feel will bring you fulfillment and accomplishment—and perhaps a well-established company to ensure the position you accept will be around for a while. As IT professionals, you have the chance to make a difference in the way people interact with technology and each other—choose a company that leads to fulfilling work, not one that just has some cool, off-the-wall perks.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR A COMPANY'S RED FLAGS
During the job search or when weighing multiple job offers, it’s important to put in the time to research exactly what you’d be getting into at a certain company. Would you really want to be part of an organization that has a history of shady business or IT practices? Or maybe a company that’s dealt with a serious breach in the recent past that you could—rightly or wrongly—be tied to? When you land a job, you don’t become part of your company; your company becomes part of you, so choose wisely. Go into your search with an idea in mind about what risks may arise in each position. If during the interview process it didn’t seem like the company was making IT a priority but rather simply a necessity of today’s world, consider if that’s the best fit for you. Do your extensive research, but use the interview to dig deeper into what the company stands for, what its people are like and how you’d be a fit. You don’t want your reputation as an IT professional tarnished because the company you worked for didn’t share your same values.
[1] https://www.comptia.org/resources/it-industry-trends-analysis-2017
[2] http://www.computerweekly.com/blog/ITWorks/What-do-IT-professionals-look-for-in-an-employer
