Careers Newsletter
 
NEWSLETTERS
 

CIO.com updates, insights and advice on technology, management and your career.

 CIO BlackBerry News and Tips
 CIO Research and Analysis
 CIO Microsoft
 CIO Insider
 
 
 
LEADERSHIP
 
CIO Executive Programs
The Leader in Face-to-Face Education for Senior Executives

Offering regional and national programs, CIO (and CSO) events bring together some of the most respected names and thought leaders in information technology and security. Presented by CIOs and other senior level executives, these invitation-only programs offer timely topics and strong networking. Learn More »

 
CIO Executive Council
A Peer-Advisory Service and Professional Association for CIOs

Webcast: In the Google Apps Cloud: How to Achieve Your Business Objectives

Dec 3rd, '09, 1 - 2 pm US/Eastern (GMT-5)

Join Council member Brent Hoag, Director, Global IT, at JohnsonDiversey, as he discusses the adoption of Google Apps which has helped meet four corporate goals; sustainability, simplification, increased employee productivity and global collaboration.

Webcast: Collaboration Initiatives: Benchmarks & Best Practices

Dec 15th, '09, 4 - 5 pm US/Eastern (GMT-5)

Join Council members Ruth Thorpe, VP & CIO at the U.S. Pharmaceutical Operations of Sanofi-Aventis, and Gary Kuyper, CIO at Bethany Christian Services, as they speak about their collaboration initiatives and experiences in how and why they chose the social networking and collaboration tools they are using and their business goals for collaboration, and facing culture change challenges.

Data Overview: Collaboration Initiatives Field Guide: Benchmarks & Best Practices

This appendix to the Council Field Guide provides an analysis which discusses benchmarks for collaboration IT implementation costs, adoption rates and payoffs. The overview identifies top IT and business goals and satisfaction rates for collaboration initiatives as well as best practices and lessons learned for implementing collaboration IT.

More / Register »

Learn more about the CIO Executive Council »



 
 
RESOURCE CENTER
 
 
 

Recession-Proofing Your Career in IT

IT professionals who continually update their skills and build their networks keep themselves in high demand when employers start tightening their belts.

 

March 31, 2008Computerworld

In challenging economic times, it's natural for IT professionals to turn their thoughts away from career advancement and toward job security. Whether you're concerned about your current position or looking for a new one, a few key strategies can help you keep your career healthy in the face of economic uncertainty.

Even during periods of robust growth, IT professionals who do not focus on enhancing their own marketability to employers can have trouble competing for the most desirable positions. In contrast, those who continually update their skills and build their networks keep themselves in high demand when employers start tightening their belts.

Forget What You Deserve

A sense of entitlement hinders many otherwise promising IT careers. Talented professionals often presume that their training and capabilities will guarantee them secure, high-paying jobs. Their mistake is underestimating the number of other candidates who are just as, or more, qualified.

To stay ahead of this pack, your first priority should be to update and expand your skills. Continuous learning is an essential part of your profession. If your current employer doesn't offer sufficient training options, ask about reimbursement policies. According to the Robert Half Technology 2008 Salary Guide, the following skills are especially in demand:

  • Microsoft .Net development. Firms want professionals who can apply .Net skills to all aspects of the development process.
  • Microsoft SQL Server development. Those who can write code, including stored procedures, database scripts and triggers, are in heavy demand.
  • Windows administration. IT departments continue to value Windows administration skills.
  • Network administration. Demand remains high for the maintenance and troubleshooting of routers, hubs and switches.
  • Database management. Database management skills, including expertise with Oracle database and Microsoft SQL Server, are highly desirable.
  • Wireless network management. Wireless network management skills are critical to keeping employees, customers and clients connected and secure.

Even the latest technical skills and credentials won't guarantee you a spot on the most-wanted list if you can't use your abilities to help solve real business problems. Well-developed soft skills such as problem-solving, business acumen and interpersonal communication can set you apart from other candidates.

Soft skills may be hard to quantify, but that doesn't mean they can't be learned. Business and interpersonal training is available in many forms. Look into business courses provided by local colleges and universities, online classes and seminars from training companies or organizations like the U.S. Small Business Administration, or industry associations and events offered through your local Chamber of Commerce. Even public-speaking clubs such as Toastmasters can help you refine your communication skills and other leadership abilities. Publications and Web sites like BusinessWeek and CIO.com can keep you up to date on the issues that matter most to executives. Sites geared toward small business, such as Entrepreneur.com, can provide insight into management strategies and practical business issues.

 
 
Loading...
 
WHITE PAPERS

Exclusive Economist Intelligence Unit Research

Find out why - and how technology can help balance centralized control and individual autonomy.
 

How Data Mining Can Rock Your Career

Recently, U.S. News & World Report listed "data miner" as one of only a handful of careers core to today's digital enterprises. The University of Illinois at Chicago takes a look.
 

Exchange 2007 Risks and Mitigation Strategies

This whitepaper will review the strengths of Exchange 2007 and areas where CIOs should consider third party solutions.
 

Solving On-premise Email Challenges

This white paper presents ten on-premise challenges and their on-demand services solutions.
 

A Comparative Cost Analysis of Email Environments

This Forrester report will help you evaluate the full cost of your email environment and it will explore the benefits of cloud-based technologies.
 

An Infrastructure and Operations Analysis

This Forrester Report review three basic architectures to consider as you evaluate taking your email into the cloud.
 

WEBCASTS

An Open Framework for Business Intelligence

Architecting Business Intelligence Applications for Change
 

Email and Web Threats Require a Layered Defense

Can you trust the cloud to secure your enterprise from email and Web threats? This Webcast discusses how web threat...
 

Smart techniques for application security: whitebox + blackbox security testing.

Whitebox & blackbox application security testing are two approaches for detecting vulnerabilities in Web-based and ...
 

Lower the Cost and Complexity of a Mobile Workforce through Automation

Lower the Cost and Complexity of a Mobile Workforce
 

Extending Client Refresh - 11 Steps to Maximize Savings

11 Steps to Maximize Savings
 

Consolidate Your Servers and Storage to Lower Costs with Oracle Database 11g

Live Webcast
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
2:00pm ET/ 11:00am PT

Oracle Database 11g and Oracle Real A...
 

Resource Alerts

Get instant email notifications by topic when white papers, webcasts, and case studies are added to our library.

 
IT Jobs
 
 
 
FEATURED SPONSORS
 
 
 
SPONSORED LINKS
 

The Total Economic Impact of Network Security Intrusion Prevention

Return on Information: Google Enterprise Search pays you back. Get the facts.

VMware. The source for Business Infrastructure Virtualization.

ShoreTel tells businesses to untangle from competitors' complexity and turn to its brilliantly simple UC solution

See how AT&T can help protect your network.

Streamline IT Costs. Boost Performance with WAN Optimization.

Build your 1st app FREE with Force.com

TDWI checklist helps define data readiness for analytics. Download report.

A Clear View Toward Virtualization

Virtualization Technology as a Business Solution

The rules of infrastructure management just changed.

A Clear View Toward Virtualization

Interactive Q&A helps you discover key ways to maximize IT assets.

Ready to virtualize tier one applications? Check your virtualization maturity.

Think you can't afford a Cisco Switch? Cisco Catalyst Switches are now more affordable.

Five minute business analytics assessment. Immediate results.

The Case for Investing in Business Analytics Technology. Read white paper.

Upgrading to VMware vSphere with vWire

Top 10 Lessons Learned for Corporate 3G Mobile Broadband Deployments

CRM Built for IT: The Executive Guide to Selecting CRM that Meets IT Needs

Return on Information: Google Enterprise Search pays you back

ROI of Application Delivery Controllers

Making Consumer Two-Factor Authentication Simple and Cost-Effective

Mining the Cloud to Ease the Enterprise Compliance Burden

Solve Five Key IT Security Challenges with Cloud-Based Authentication

Disciplined Autonomy: Resolving the Tension Between Flexibility and Control

AT&T Synaptic Storage as a Service. Expand on demand

Trend Micro ranked #1 against real-world malware. Read more.

Webinar: Jump-start your in-house e-discovery with Ringtail QuickCull from FTI Technology

Top Five CIO Challenges

Read the RSA report: Security for Business Innovation

64-page prescriptive guide to security, compliance, and IT operations.

Increase UPS efficiency without sacrificing protection.

eZine: A Roadmap to Reducing IT Complexity

Reduce risk, gain agility. See how Progress can help your business.

Virtualization Technology as a Business Solution

eZine: A Roadmap to Reducing IT Complexity

World-class trading technology solutions from NYSE Technologies.

If You're Paying for Telecom, You're Paying Too Much. Contact Asentinel Today.

Trade-In your old printer and save up to $1,000 plus free recycling!

infoBOOM! - The Mid-Sized Company CIO's Exclusive Community

Live Webinar: Applying Business Analytics. Click here to learn more

Removing Barriers To Better Server Virtualization Efficiency

4G Revisited. The Continued Evolution of Wireless Mobility.

What's Next for Enterprise Resource Planning?

Maximizing website Return on Information with high-quality search

Gartner Magic Quadrant, Application Delivery Controllers 2009

Authentication as a Service by Forrester Research

Cloud-Based Authentication for Next-Generation Extranets

Cut Costs & Green Your IT Operations with PC Power Management