By Robert Half Technology
As business and technology become more entwined, IT professionals are
finding that companies expect them to deliver more than just expertise
in their core competencies. Companies want candidates who combine their
tech skills with business acumen. They want IT personnel who can work collaboratively with colleagues
in other departments to identify opportunities to increase the
company’s profitability through more effective use of technology.
There are good reasons for this shift in expectations. More companies
are embracing business-transformative technologies such as cloud
computing and virtualization, social media and mobile. They need
professionals who not only understand the nuts-and-bolts of these
technologies but also clearly see how the business can use them
strategically to increase competitive advantage.
When it comes to IT hiring, more companies are now focusing on the
“and” that connects a technology professional’s expertise to the
“something more” that they can potentially provide that adds value to
the business. The question is, if an employer asks you to deliver an
“and,” would you be prepared to do so? Here are some strategies to help
ensure that you can:
Understand your industry — as well as your employer’s. No
matter what your role is — systems analyst, network architect, database
manager, helpdesk professional or something else — stay apprised of
trends in your field. New developments in your area of expertise could
ultimately have an impact on how your employer conducts its business.
This is why it’s also important to pay attention to the demands being
placed on your company’s industry, such as competitive pressures or
regulatory compliance requirements. Consider building your personal
expertise in IT areas that could help your business better meet those
demands.
Keep expanding your knowledge. When workplace training
opportunities arise, don’t miss the chance to learn new skills that can
enhance or expand your current abilities — if you have the time and
permission to do so. The training does not have to be IT-related:
Perhaps your company is offering a leadership training course or a
seminar on business communication skills.
If the training does focus on technology, be willing to explore new
areas. Even if you don’t end up working with certain technologies
regularly, understanding how to use them — and where, how and why your
employer is initially implementing them — may help you think of ways
they might be applied elsewhere in the business. In addition, by
expanding your knowledge and skills in both business and technology,
you’ll likely improve your mobility within your organization, as well as
increase your marketability in your field generally.
Be proactive about adding value. Make it a part of your
everyday job to find ways to increase efficiency and profitability for
your department — and for the broader organization, wherever possible.
Such contributions can help to raise your visibility in the company.
Even small improvements can be significant enough to help move a
business forward over time.
Unsure where you can add value? Review your current job description
and compare it to those in leading industry resources, such as the “Robert Half Technology Salary Guide.”
Are the expectations that your employer has set for your position in
line with industry norms? Being aware of what you should be providing to
your company in your current role — and then making a point to deliver
it, whether or not you’re being asked to do so — can go a long way
toward adding value.
Sometimes the “and” employers look for in IT staff is additional
technical skills. As more organizations look to emerging technologies to
boost marketing efforts, improve operations, gain business insights and
produce superior customer experiences, the demand for professionals
with expertise in more than one of these in-demand areas is also rising.
(So, too, are starting compensation levels
for some specialized roles.) In these cases, too, technology
professionals who have demonstrated solid business acumen by helping
their employers find ways to increase profitability are likely to have
an edge in the hiring environment.