Career Counselor

Looking for executive IT career advice? Our resident experts answer your questions about senior level career advancement, change, education, strategy, and more.

Recent Answers: Question:

I recently obtained a position as a support unit manager. Eventually, I’d like to become a CIO. I have a degree in technology management, but Im unsure what my next course of action should be regarding my education. Should I obtain some type of certification or pursue an MBA in MIS? Do the market/corporations weigh certifications or master’s degrees more heavily?

Answer:

Most people would tell you that MBAs are more valued than certifications. However, to move up the career ladder to CIO, depending how far away you are, there might be some certification courses that are helpful. That being said, there is no substitute for an MBA from a good school, although executive MBA programs have been growing in popularity. These are often condensed versions of MBAs and are becoming recognized as highly valuable.

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman Biography

Question:

Earlier this year I managed a team of 127 people with a budget of $10.8 million. Now, with a new “flattening” of the organization, I manage eight people and a budget one-tenth of what I managed in 2006. The senior management says this is “good” for my career. I don’t believe it. Should I get out now or later?

Answer:

To be the most marketable you can be, you need to have direct experience managing a large staff as well as the ability to manage in a matrixed environment (which means managing people who do not report to you). Effectively managing matrixed environments involves building trust, creating a common vision and influencing people to move in a particular direction. I don’t mean for this to sound like a cop-out, but only you can decide when it’s time to move on, bearing in mind that you need to have both direct and matrixed management experience.

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman Biography

Question:

Currently I am pursuing a career in the civilian sector after spending seven years in the military as a communications officer. (I’m due to separate in six months.) I have had many high-visibility leadership positions in the military and have a very diverse background: I’ve held such jobs as a software engineer, help desk supervisor, and a director of technology for a 150-member unit. What is the best way to get into the civilian market and get what I am worth?

Answer:

I would try to target companies that do work with the government, which will see your military experience as an asset. Some management consulting firms such as EDS and CSC are good examples of private-sector companies that have big contracts with the government. Companies that sell products and services to the government, such as Lockheed, Boeing and Raytheon, are also good bets. Those companies would more easily relate to your background and would value it more than others.

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman Biography

Question:

I have close to two years of IT experience and hold a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. I am planning to get an MBA. What concentration in MBA (marketing, information systems, e-commerce, etc.) should I pursue for a successful path to CIO?

Answer:

Concentrations in marketing, finance or information systems are all good options. I would pick an MBA program that has a good reputation for being well-rounded and that has professors with real-world business experience. Many programs have strong concentrations in specific areas, so be sure to find out what these concentrations are so that you can ensure you are getting the best program possible and one that suits your interests.

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I am fairly new to the IT industry and have been working as an application developer for the past two years. I would eventually like to become a CIO and I would like to chart out my career path to that end. How do you suggest I pursue this goal? I am hoping that I can reach a CIO position within the next 12 to 13 years. How should I approach this next 12 to 13 years? Do I need more technical experience? Should I make a switch now to a business analyst role or something more strategic? Could you help me chart a career path according to the number of years you suggest I work in a given position (for instance, two years as a developer, two years as a business analyst or in a strategy role, two years as a project manager, three years in a management role, four years in a senior management role and then CIO)?

Answer:

While there is no set formula for what constitutes an ideal career path, most CIOs I know and have recruited have had approximately 15 to 20 years of IT experience. At least 10 of the 20 years have been somewhat technical, another 10 years have been focused on project management and departmental management, and within these 10 years, there has been a strong concentration in applications development and/or ERP planning and implementation. Todays CIOs tend to have had more business analyst and project management experience than they have had in infrastructure (e.g., network engineering, data center operations, capacity planning and IT security). There seems to be slightly more value placed on business knowledge and understanding business processes. One additional piece of the puzzle on becoming a CIO is to have an MBA from a good school. This is a great complement to an undergraduate degree that might be quantitative.

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I am a 35-year-old senior IT manager with 16 years of experience in IT. I’m ready to take my career to the next level as a director or VP. My problem is that I look a lot younger than 35, and older executives on first impression view me as a youngster or a recent college grad. How can I confront this issue?

Answer:

The best way to confront this issue is to bring up the years of experience youve had early on in a conversation. This will help establish the fact that you have some seasoning. Your behavior and conversational skills will also need to support that you have some seasoning and depth of character that come from real-world experience. Another consideration is how you dress and carry yourself. If you want to look more mature, then you should mirror the style and look of executives who have another 10 years under their belts. The bottom line is, if you look and act the part, someone will likely give you the role.

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I have been in IT management for 20-plus years and have spent the last 15 as the senior IT exec in three separate organizations. I have top-level experience in the manufacturing/distribution, higher education and, most recently, newspaper industries. I have devoted most of my time over the last few years to shrinking my staff and doing more with less. I am concerned that the last seven years I’ve spent working with older technologies and in a shrinking IT environment may not look good to potential employers. Is this a valid concern? In addition, my current employer has recently gone through a buyout and the local senior management has changed. Consequently, a flurry of my peers in other divisions have departed. I am concerned that I will be forced out as well.

Answer:

I believe your experience with shrinking IT environments, which includes reducing your staff, controlling your budget and doing more with less, is considered very normal for how CIOs are operating across the nation. Therefore, I do not think that your resume will be perceived as diminished or less impressive. It is important, however, that you be able to demonstrate that you were able to deliver services at a high level and satisfy your customers. The days of having large staffs and budgets are over, except for the top 500 companies in the world. Most IT shops are utilizing some form of strategic sourcing for services, thereby reducing the IT staff. With regard to having worked with older technologies, if you are a CIO-level person, the specific technologies used are not as important as the value you were able to provide with the tools that you had. Business people (hiring managers) are looking for bottom-line results and are less preoccupied with the specific ERP solution you picked.

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I do not share the conventional wisdom that you must stay at your job for at least two years or more. I have been a very successful CIO. People recognize my talent and reputation and have actively recruited me to take on more challenging roles. My compensation and responsibilities have expanded in the process. What are your thoughts? Will this catch up with me one day?

Answer:

Most of my clients expect a new CIO will spend at least three to five years with them. Oftentimes, there is substantial restructuring or building that has to take place or merger and acquisition activity that requires planning and then a multi-phased implementation and integration plan. While you no doubt have gained valuable experience, the typical expectation by the hiring executives is for longer tenure. Perhaps there are situations or industries where the pace of change is very rapid and you can accomplish a lot within two years. However, for large, diverse, global companies, even planning and managing a successful enterprise-wide ERP implementation takes at least three years!

Posted On: March 15, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I was just offered a VP of technology position for an online company. Prior to this I was at the director level. My new boss called me today to see if I had any questions. I want to make a good first impression—what types of questions should I ask?

Answer:

Some questions to ask include: 1) What are your boss key objectives? Knowing them will help you align your work with his/hers. 2) What is the most important goal/initiative you should work on in the next six months? 3) What things can you do to ensure you are successful? 4) Are there any barriers or political issues you need to be sensitive to? 5) How does your new boss like to manage? Does he/she like to have one-on-one meetings; does he/she like status reports, and if so, what form and format?

Posted On: February 7, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

What kinds of salaries do CIOs at small to midsize businesses earn? Where can I find such information?

Answer:

There are various IT surveys. One that comes to mind is done by Computerworld. If you go online, you will find the annual issue. Generally speaking, CIOs at small to midsize businesses can earn between $130K and $200K, depending on the industry.

Posted On: February 7, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I was hired a year ago as VP of IT reporting to a CIO. Four months later, the CIO announced he was retiring, and rumor had it that I had been hired to succeed him, as I was interviewed by all the decision-makers at the time. The company then hired a new president. He (the new president) has decided to look outside for a new CIO. He has never interviewed me and has not even talked to me. Any advice?

Answer:

Find out who is handling this search. Most likely, it will include your HR executive. I suggest you have a conversation with this person and find out if there is a way for you to become a candidate. Ideally, you want to meet with the president and state your case as to why you would be a good CIO. If the current CIO is still there, I suggest you see if this person has some insight and can offer some assistance in support of your candidacy. If none of this works and you are overlooked and not considered for the position, then you need to consider whether there is still a good position for you at this company. If the new CIO is a good leader and mentor, you might find that there is value in staying.

Posted On: February 7, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

After 27 years in IT positions all the way from mainframe operator through project manager in MIS, I moved from Munich, Germany to Fort Wayne, Ind., for personal reasons. With no references in this country, no network to fall back on, no experience in local companies, I am having a very hard time finding ANY job even remotely related to my very extensive IT experience (combined with fluency in English, Spanish and German). Submitting applications doesn’t help. Am I missing something?

Answer:

Do you have the necessary legal status to work in the United States? If not, this can be a barrier to being hired. If you do not have this status, then you need to be sponsored by an employer, and this can be extremely difficult unless you have skills that are scarce and in high demand. Finding a job takes a combination of things: You need a well-written resume and you need to be sure your resume is generic and without buzzwords. Its best to have someone in a senior business position read it and give you feedback. If you have served at a project leader level, then good contingency recruiting firms may be helpful in finding you a job. To find the best ones in your area, ask around. A good executive recruiter can tell you how your experience compares to the demand in the job market, and if you are missing something, the recruiter might be able to pinpoint what it is.

Posted On: February 7, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I am 38 years old, a quick study of better-than-average intelligence. I am involved in the community and have a family. I have been in the technology and IT industry since 1991, and I have worked in various technical positions and later moved into lower management and mid-management positions within several different industries in small and large corporations. I have three associate’s degrees, a BA and an MBA from accredited schools, as well as PMP (project management professional) certification. I am currently a contract business/project management consultant. In interviews, I feel relaxed and confident. What else can I do to land an executive CIO position? Why do I feel as if I need to do something else to land the job? Do I need another credential? Have I overlooked something?

Answer:

I suggest you do informational interviews with some senior IT executives with the goal of finding out how they obtained their current position. If you do this, you can compare notes and see whether or not you lack some key ingredient. While you indicate you are comfortable in an interview, do you know if you are projecting executive characteristics? Does your appearance match the executive profile? In addition, you might consider talking to a senior HR executive with a past employer who might be willing to give you some feedback. If these approaches are not fruitful, then consider hiring an executive coach. A coach can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses and then work with you on a focused career plan.

Posted On: February 7, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I am a senior-level CIO with a strong career in manufacturing and solid international experience. I spent four years in Europe, and I have been responsible for all IS&S activities globally for five years. I have been with my current organization for 10 years, five of which were spent as part of a joint venture. I am ready to do something else or retire within the next three to five years. I am now 56 years old. Is it possible to find an organization willing to bring someone on for three to five years to help mentor and develop their future CIO? If so, how should I go about finding such an organization, or how can I convince a company that it should bring me on to mentor and develop someone internally?

Answer:

There are a few ways to approach finding a new opportunity at your age. First of all, you should talk to some of your key vendors and consulting colleagues and share your interests with those you trust. Some of these people might be able to refer you or open a door somewhere with one of their clients. In addition, if you are not a member of a professional IT organization such as the Society for Information Management (SIM), you should join so you can network with colleagues. In addition, contact some well-respected executive search firms and share your goals with the principals. While it is not common to find the kind of opportunity you propose, I have heard of organizations hiring senior people with the intention of having them groom their next generation of leaders. While your age may not be perceived by some as an asset, if you appear fit, energetic and goal-oriented, you should be able to overcome those concerns.

Posted On: February 7, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I am currently working as a project manager and am thinking of pursuing an EMBA from a top-five MBA school. I have a master’s degree in software systems and a BSC in management information systems. I also have over 13 years of experience in software development, including over six years of experience in software project management, managing multimillion-dollar projects. I have project management experience in a variety of industries including airline/shipping, retail, telecommunication, education and consulting. I spent four years managing global project teams spanning a number of countries/locations (United States, India and Sri Lanka). I have extensive experience with PMI PMBOK, Rational Unified Process, Microsoft Solutions Framework and variations of the waterfall model. What next steps should I consider to become a CIO or CTO of a company?

Answer:

Since your background is strong in software development, I would consider a different assignment that includes infrastructure management and/or architecture planning. Expertise in these areas will help your overall knowledge and skill base in IT. In addition, I recommend that you continue to get more challenging assignments in terms of staff and budget management to hone your management and leadership skills. I also encourage you to continue your involvement in offshore and more global projects that include your working and/or traveling abroad. Having experience with different countries and cultures is valuable as the demand for global IT management skills is becoming very strong and will continue.

Posted On: January 9, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

Are there public relations firms that specialize in promoting CIO candidates with hiring companies or retained executive search firms?

Answer:

I am not aware of any. Editors note: Neither am I. Your best bet is to be your own PR person. For advice, read the article Getting Your Name Out There

Posted On: January 9, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I am an IT consultant with five years of work experience in financial services. My long-term goal is to become a CIO or COO of a financial services firm or bank. I am applying for an MBA to help me get there. How might an MBA help, and what should be my focus? I am thinking of finance and strategy. What kind of companies should I be looking at? McKinsey’s BTO and Diamond look very attractive to me.

Answer:

An MBA from a fine business school is a good approach. Id choose a program that is well-balanced with coursework in a variety of functional areas including finance, marketing, emerging technologies and the like. Working for firms like McKinsey, Booz-Allen and Diamond can be rewarding and can help you develop knowledge and skills that will prepare you for a CIO role. However, I advise that you be sure to get involved in consulting work that includes—in addition to strategy and planning—actual project management and implementation. In order to ensure you are qualified to be a CIO, you should consider working in a corporation as an IT manager/director as well. Having a balance of consulting and corporate experience will round you appropriately.

Posted On: January 9, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I have been with my company for more than 10 years and am on a good path with my employer. I get calls about CIO and senior positions in other companies fairly often (more than six times a year). When I talk with colleagues outside my company, they recommend that I go on an interview once in a while to keep my interview skills sharp. What do you think?

Answer:

Its very self-centered to practice interview techniques by going on an interview, if you are not really interested in pursuing an opportunity. It is a good idea to stay tuned into the marketplace and selectively explore good opportunities. No one would appreciate it if you are simply kicking tires and interviewing just to hone your skills. Editors note: Bear in mind that the individual answering this question is a recruiter, who is hired by companies to find candidates for open positions. If she had called you to interview for a position she was hired to fill, and you pursued the opportunity just to keep your interview skills sharp, youd be wasting her time and the hiring companys time. You dont want to alienate yourself from individuals and companies you may wish to do business with in the future.

Posted On: January 9, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I’ve been in IT management for the last 20 years. I recently was promoted to VP/CIO, and I’m well respected in my company. However, I have an obvious gap in my resume: I never finished my BS degree. Now that I’m looking to explore new opportunities outside the company, what is your advice in dealing with this gap? Although I do have plans to go back to college, I don’t want to have to wait five years before exploring other opportunities.

Answer:

I suggest you enroll in a good BS degree program now. While it may take years before you finish, having noted on your resume that it is in progress will help your candidacy.

Posted On: January 9, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I would like to be a CIO someday. I have been working as an IT manager for a small company ever since I graduated from college in May 2005 with a BS in computer science. I like my job, and my company pays me well in spite of its small size. I have been offered an ERP administrator position at a much larger company in town. The pay is a little more and the benefits are much better. Is it worth it for me to leave a job I like to work for a larger company? Another question: What master’s degree do I want to get? An MBA?

Answer:

It sounds like you are in a great position: You have a job you like and have choices. An ERP administration position doesnt sound that important, though it may very well be. I would rather see you move toward a director of information technology position for a midsize company and progress from that standpoint. Is your current company growing? Is it possible for you to be promoted to director of information technology as the company grows? Generally speaking, moving for “a little more” pay when youre happy where you are may not make that much sense unless the proposed job offers better short-term and long-term prospects. What would the career path be from ERP at the new company? What type of raises can you expect? These are some of the things you may want to consider. Also, an MBA coupled with a BS in computer science is an outstanding academic credential for becoming a CIO.

Posted On: January 5, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

I have strong management and people skills from another industry (hospitality) but little experience in the IT field. I am currently working on an MBA in information systems. What sort of “road map” of job positions and tech certifications would get me to the CIO office?

Answer:

I have found that positions in applications management or project leadership are a good bridge between business management and information technology. I know several CIOs who started managing large-scale PeopleSoft projects or other software projects, which allowed them to move into information technology without being highly technical. I also believe that if you have the time, any type of software certifications would be helpful.

Posted On: January 5, 2007

Joyce Brocaglia is the founder and CEO of Alta Associates, Inc., a premier executive recruiting firm specializing in information security. Ms Brocaglia has extensive experience recruiting senior information security executives and is a recognized subject matter expert on information security staffing and career issues. Ms Brocaglia is a recognized speaker at industry events and a frequent contributor to trade publications.

While acting as a trusted advisor for nearly two decades, Alta Associates has played a key role in building corporate information security organizations, developing professional services practices and growing security product start-ups. In addition to performing executive level searches, Alta Associates has placed numerous information security professionals in operations, engineering, sales and marketing roles.

For more information about Alta Associates executive recruiting services please visit https://www.altaassociates.com

Question:

My background: I am currently in the Air Force as a communications officer, where I’m managing a team of 23 technicians in core services, which include enterprise management, exchange services and a file/print server team. I graduated from college with my BS in computer science, and I have been working for only two years. My question: What can I do in the way of professional development to continue down the right path? In a couple more years, I plan on getting my MBA. Should I be getting some sort of certification, like an MCSE (Microsoft certified systems engineer)?

Answer:

First of all, you need to determine what your ultimate goal is. Is it to be a CIO? What do you deem to be the right path? While you are in the Air Force, it is important to get every kind of certification and advanced training possible because when you move to private industry, time and travel demands will make it difficult to pursue certifications and advanced degrees. I would also try to gain experience in specific types of projects that corporate America is interested in, such as human resources management systems, logistic systems, security systems and other things that you see repeatedly when you look in the want ads of CIO, The Wall Street Journal and other high-level business publications.

Posted On: January 5, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

Is there any advice for me to be on board in a new company as a CIO? Please advise the key points.

Answer:

Im not exactly clear what you are asking, but I think you are asking how a CIO can be invited to serve on other companies boards of directors. Ive noticed a trend in the last couple of years where companies are broadening their search for directors to include individuals with strong technology experience. Things you can do: Be visible in various industry associations, write articles and even volunteer to join a small startup company board at no fee. My experience is that once you are on one board, you will get asked to join others. You may have to start at a not-for-profit or a very small startup board to get on other boards radar screens.

Posted On: January 5, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

How do you move up the ladder from a service desk analyst to a CIO? I am a graduate of pure and applied mathematics and recently finished my MSc in computer system security. I also have six years of work experience.

Answer:

I would be curious to know if you have applied for more senior-level positions. If you are not aggressively pursuing positions with some management responsibility, then you should. If you have pursued or applied for management-level positions and are not getting them, I would advise you to visit with your manager and get some feedback. Perhaps you need some management courses or are missing some type of skill set.

Posted On: January 5, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

I’m an electrical engineering graduate, and I’ve been working as an engineer in the broadcast industry for the past five years. I’m currently working toward an MS-MBA in technology management. I decided to do this because the career path for broadcast engineers simply plateaus at my current level. I aspire to become a C-level executive (CTO/CIO, and eventually CEO), but transitioning from the broadcast side of the company to the corporate side is almost unheard of. How can I make this transition? I’ve thought of contacting the CTO to see if I could possibly shadow him for a week or so to learn more about the responsibilities of the position. Is this a good idea?

Answer:

It seems to me that even if you worked in the corporate side of the company, you are several steps away from the CTO position. Thus, it might be considered somewhat presumptuous to ask the CTO if you can shadow him to learn about his position. If you are convinced that your goal is to become a C-level executive, regardless of what the CTO does, the first step is to get to corporate. I would befriend someone in human resources to see if there are any open positions. Does your company offer internships for employees getting an MS or MBA in technology management outside the broadcasting area? If so, perhaps you can get in through this door, though it may be a lateral move at best. The important thing is that you get out of the broadcasting side and into corporate, and from there, you will have choices.

Posted On: January 5, 2007

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

Does one absolutely require a degree of some sort to obtain a CIO position? I am self-taught, have climbed up by absorbing knowledge and gaining experience, and am making a move to a larger organization because my current IT Ddirector/Ccoordinator position has limited possibilities for a career path in a small- to medium-midsized health clinic. Although I am moving down the ladder back to desktop support, I felt that the larger hospital would have endless possibilities and challenges.

Answer:

Many CIOs have college degrees. Usually they have a bachelor’s degree. The concentration of the degree varies, but many have a quantitative undergraduate degree in an area such as math, economics or computer science, and many also have an MBA. In order to compete in the marketplace, a college degree is an important credential. While people respect “self-made” professionals, it is still viewed as a deficit to lack a college degree. If you have the ability to get a degree, I would suggest a business degree at this stage of the game.

Posted On: December 8, 2006

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I have been an elementary school teacher for 16 years, and I have my master’s in leadership. I have extensive experience in coaching, teaching and leading, and have some skills in technology. Is there room for someone like me in the CIO world?

Answer:

The road to an IT career is one that many people begin by learning programming and systems analysis. To pursue this, you should talk to career counselors in various schools and universities to see if there is a program that will teach you the foundational skills that are required. If you do not plan on becoming a pure IT person, then perhaps you can transfer your skills to teaching IT professionals to become project managers or department managers. Your knowledge of teaching, coaching and leadership development might enable you to become a trainer of IT people. To explore this option, I suggest you talk to human resource professionals who support IT organizations and learn more about this to determine if this is a good option for you.

Posted On: December 8, 2006

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I am the IT director for a less-than $50 million division of a much larger global corporation. Several divisions are being merged and relocated together, and I have been asked to be the senior IT person for this new, much larger (more than $200 million) organization. I have been presented with the job description, which reads much like my current duties (and then some), but the new title is “IT manager.” Would accepting this title be bad for my career and/or hurt my resume?

Answer:

Regarding the IT manager title, I think you should find out why the position has that title. You should see if it is consistent with other positions at the same level in your company. It does seem odd that a more senior position would have a “lesser” title. In evaluating this, I would also find out if your salary, bonus and other perks are appropriate for this level. You can use a resource such as salary.com or inquire with the companys HR department to find out what the compensation range is for the position. If you are not stepping on anyone’s toes, I recommend you ask to have the title changed to director. In looking at this from a market perspective, it is not ideal to have your title go from director to manager. However, if your role is clearly expanded, then you will be able to explain this to a new employer.

Posted On: December 8, 2006

Answer to your question provided by Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., an internationally recognized executive search firm based in Westport, Conn. that provides retained executive search services across multiple industries while specializing in information technology.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Question:

I have been in technology for close to 25 years. I’ve held positions from programmer to divisional CIO. About five years ago, while I was leading strategic planning for the technology sector, my company was hit with a sizable layoff. I was included as well as many of my staff. Since that time I’ve been doing senior management consulting within IT to keep current and to stay active (I’m now 57). I’d like to return to the corporate world. I’m having a very difficult time landing interviews at the director/VP level. Am I no longer current? Is it my age? I’m very willing to reduce my salary, but I rarely even get to that point in the conversation. Advice?

Answer:

Youve obviously realized that you have two things going against you: 1) You have been out of corporate America for five years, and 2) sad to say, many people are concerned that a 57-year-old will not want to work more than four to five years. I believe things will change as our population continues to age and many of us in our 50s show no intention of retiring. However, that does not help you now. Perhaps there is a middle ground for you. Have you considered joining one of the large consulting firms, such as Accenture or PricewaterhouseCoopers, on a contract basis? Or, alternatively, you might apply to corporations with large IT staffs and offer to take on a long-term project role. Once you get into an organization, it may be easier to convert to a full-time position.

Posted On: November 29, 2006

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

I would like to pursue an advanced degree (e.g., PhD) and teach at a university level. With 10 years in IT and an MBA, what are my options? I’ve seen the University of Phoenix offer a DBA (doctor of business) and would love your comments. Are there any good part-time PhD programs you know of?

Answer:

I cannot comment on the University of Phoenix, as I have never encountered alumni of that program who are teaching at the university level. If you are interested in this particular program, I suggest you contact the school and ask for alums who are teaching. Barring that, you might want to look into a local college or university in your town that offers evening classes. Offering part-time PhDs/MBAs tends to ebb and flow with each college in any particular time, depending on what the economic needs are. I would recommend, if you really want to teach information technology, determine which schools in the country have the best graduate program in IT (e.g., Carnegie Mellon is certainly at the higher end) and contact those schools. I would also do some research in CIO and other IT publications to see where faculty members are quoted in articles and contact them and ask for recommendations.

Posted On: November 29, 2006

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

I took a director/CIO position with a company 14 months ago. I was very hesitant to take this position because it doesn’t report to the CEO and isn’t a member of executive staff, hence the “director” tag. However, I am the top IT executive, thus the CIO title. After receiving assurances from both the CEO and my current boss, VP of corporate development, that after 18 months I would be moved to the executive staff and report to the CEO, I accepted the offer. The review was put in writing, the guarantee verbal. I have had a number of very successful projects completed that have positively impacted both revenue and productivity within the company. My current boss has enjoyed this success as well, borderline taking credit. Now, my boss has indicated that he is not so sure I need to be a member of executive staff and I should continue to report to him; he has also convinced the CEO of this. (He is a very good debater—he is a lawyer as well!) I reminded my boss of the commitment made, and he argues his way out of it and attempts to convince everyone this is for the better. It is not yet 18 months, but I see the writing on the wall. Problem is, having to switch companies after a year is not going to be looked upon well. What suggestions do you have?

Answer:

This must be a huge disappointment to have a company renege on a commitment to you. My sympathies. My first question is, what type of reviews have you received? Is there anything in those reviews that would keep this commitment from being honored? If not, then you must have a talk with your manager and tell him that most of the companys competitors have the IT position reporting to the president and, if things dont change, as much as you admire him and like working for him, it will be difficult to resist opportunities that come your way for a different reporting relationship. It is important that you emphasize that it is not about him personally. I always hate to see somebody who does not stay with a job for at least two to three years. If you have a pattern of changing jobs every 18 months, you need to sit tight and bide your time until you have at least two to three years under your belt. If this would be the first blip on your resume, you should start looking for another position.

Posted On: November 29, 2006

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Question:

I started my career in the Air Force as an officer in the program management career field, working on a program for the operations of a multimillion-dollar satellite engineering contract. I managed two other officers and about 150 contractors from big government business partners like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. I got an MBA at Southern Cal with a focus in entrepreneurship and real estate and became a real estate broker after starting on a track for an MIS focus. I would like to return to a career in the IT field, but am trying to avoid moving into an entry-level position. What is the best level for me to look to move into, and what is the best source for making connections to make that move?

Answer:

It seems to me that you need to craft a resume that highlights your IT experience and de-emphasizes your detour into real estate. Secondly, you should focus on a large company that has many different types of IT positions and apply for them. My sense is that if you could get into a large corporation with needs, even at a low position, you could progress quickly. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, there is no better alumni group than the Trojans. You should get an alumni directory for the business school and see what alums are currently chief information officers of major companies in your area and make a direct appeal. Good luck.

Posted On: November 29, 2006

Answer to your question provided by Jane Howze, managing director and founder of The Alexander Group, an executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.

Jane Howze’s biography

Your experts are:

Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates, Inc., Westport, Connecticut.

Beverly Lieberman’s biography

Katie Graham, principal, global CIO practice, at Heidrick & Struggles in Chicago and San Francisco.

Katie Graham’s biography

Jane Howze, founder of The Alexander Group, Houston, San Francisco and San Diego.

Jane Howze’s biography

Eric Sigurdson, CIO Practice Leader at Russell Reynolds Associates, Chicago, IL.

Eric Sigurdson’s biography

Kelvin Thompson, senior partner and chief strategy and development officer at Heidrick & Struggles in San Francisco.

Kelvin Thompson’s biography