Standing out from the crowd as an IT professional isn't always easy. Here are a few quick pointers that will help you get to become an all-terrain IT Pro.
Nowadays, it is not enough to become an IT consultant, you need to stand out from the crowd to succeed in your career.
Here are a few quick pointers that will help succeed in your career path as an IT consultant.
Become an All-Terrain IT Pro
1#Reach a good level of experience
Cultivating a solid
background at the end of your studies will allow you to differentiate yourself
from candidates who are either too junior or too senior and therefore too
expensive. Five to ten years of experience is usually the sweet spot in terms
of employability.
2# Forget hyperspecialisation
Locking yourself into a skill and mastering it from start to finish may seem like the right way to go in order to differentiate yourself from overly generalist profiles. And in fact, there is nothing wrong with specialisation. It can be a solid career strategy. However, in the world IT —and especially if you are an independent contractor— it pays to adopt a multi-specialization approach. You don’t have to confine yourself to a single language or skill. You should not be satisfied with simple expertise either. Aim for “mastery”. Recruiters will move on quickly if mastery is not conveyed through your CV and profile.
3#Certify yourself
Having the right certification for the right position is a good approach. Certifications worth pursuing include Microsoft certifications, Ninja, Dev Star, and Code Crazy.
4# Soft Skills
Mastering the technical part of a position is not everything. Your personality will also weigh in the balance. Recruiters are looking for candidates who can be at the same time pleasant, knowledgable, committed, brilliant, altruistic, punctual, cunning, eloquent, humble, methodical, polite… Whether it is negotiation or communication, you need to master your soft skills as well. These are the essential soft skills every IT professional should have.
5# Compensation
Sensitive topic, but be realistic with your salary expectations and be ready to lower them a bit is the market calls for it. Especially considering the economic uncertainty brought about by the o pandemic.
Discover why you should try to spend at least some time in the office each week. These are the advantages of working on-site.
What are the advantages of working on-site in times of Covid-19? Even with COVID-19 pushing companies to adopt higher levels of telework, as an IT professional you can really benefit from the closer contact that comes with physically joining your team at the company’s premises.
Although it might not
be your choice to make depending on your company’s policies, you should try to
spend at least some time in the office each week whether it is for meetings or
to work on your daily activities. These are the advantages of working on-site.
First of advantages of working at the office: a teamwork booster
Many companies prefer having their employees working from the office rather than remotely. The reasons behind this choice are numerous and tend to vary depending on the type of industry, the country’s regulations and company culture. It also depends on whether or not the company is able to facilitate a COVID-free space for employees to work safely.
The biggest advantage of working on site is that it makes it easier to interact
and bond with the rest of the team, promoting integration and speeding up
progress on your projects.
You can also take
advantage of all the company’s amenities: the printer, the Internet network,
the cafeteria, gym, etc. Small advantages which can contribute a great deal to your
general well-being and job satisfaction.
A remedy for
isolation
Remote workers often complain
about the feeling of loneliness and isolation that comes with working only from
home. Recent global lockdowns made us all quite aware of this problematic.
It can be difficult to be alone in front of your computer all day long. Going
to work at the office allows you to share your day with colleagues and set a stable
rhythm for both life and work.
It can be easy for home workers to become demotivated and procrastinate. Having to go into the office at fixed times and being able to leave once the job is finished allows for better time management while guaranteeing a real break between the private and professional worlds.
Working on-site gives
you greater access to all the key interlocutors involved in the
project and helps you not get stuck in case of doubt or lack of direction.
But, most importantly, being physically present lets you develop stronger links
with your colleagues and superiors and improves transparency.
The Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) is an increasingly coveted function, based on the implementation of synergies between development and operations.
Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive Site Reliability Engineer job description to attract top talent.
The Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) is an increasingly coveted function within IT departments.
The Site Reliability Engineer role stems from an approach to production systems management created within Google in 2003. As well as from the expansion of the DevOps mentality. The function is based on the implementation of synergies between development and operations to accelerate the creation and deployment of applications.
The first mission of an SRE is to analyze all security and operational problems of an application. Figuring then out what works and what doesn’t to optimize it.
Work in collaboration with developers and salespeople
The SRE regularly meets with developers and salespeople to benefit from their feedback and do a better job. The opinion of both sides is important to understand user experience and what the users criticize in terms of safety/reliability. They must understand what the developers have do at the technical level to assess problems more effectively.
Deploy automation
In order to save time and be more efficient, the site reliability engineer should be able to set up automated processes for recurring tasks.
The SRE should also be able to write and program all types of applications. And should also be comfortable with the most used coding languages including JavaScript, Java and .NET. More recent tools, like Node.js or Golang, are also a plus.
Translate business language into technical language
In addition, when the SRE receives the specifications, they must be able to understand the app’s business goal and then put in place the technical means to resolve the problem.
Understand all points of view
The site reliability engineer will also have to put himself in the shoes of the developers. But also of the end users to understand what roadblocks may arise and how to overcome them.
Within the industry
In general, an SRE is first and foremost a developer, who, in addition, has knowledge of operational infrastructure and performance issues.
Salary of the SRE
The average daily rate of a Site Reliability Engineer fluctuates between €550 and €750.
Training to become an SRE
To become a Site Reliability Engineer, it is best to have a background in computer science and a focus in language and programming.
React.js is a JavaScript code library. React.js Developer is mainly responsible for front-end web application development.
The pentester is a role related to the field of cybersecurity security. Its name comes from “penetration test.” The main role of a pentester is to ensure the security of information networks and applications (back end of a site, applications, etc.) and protect systems against cyber attacks.
What is the role of the Pentester?
Check website reliability
As the name suggests, the pentester performs tests with controlled intrusions into the company’s computer systems to find possible vulnerabilities.
Fix issues
After the testing stage, the pentester has to find and implement solutions to resolve the flaws identified. They will then have to reinforce and optimize the security of the applications.
Provide advice and guidance
The pentester also plays an advisory role. They must anticipate threats, put in place best practices and recommend more effective protection tools.
Required skills
Programming mastery
The pentester should be proficient and familiar with programming and web programming languages, cryptography, coding systems, and network security auditing (Python, C / C ++, Java, PHP, etc.)
An educational vocation
The pentester must be able to effectively convey encountered flaws to site and application developers. They must therefore be educators with the ability to communicate well with the developers and technical teams, to know how to clearly communicate problems to help manage them as well and quickly as possible.
Rapid action
When an intrusion occurs or a security problem is identified in a computer system, it must be resolved quickly. A poorly protected system can be devastating for the business. The pentester must therefore demonstrate reactivity and proactivity.
Within the industry
A pentester can progress to a managerial position or any other senior position in the field of cybersecurity. Their job is critical in an IT world where cyber attacks are growing more and more recurrent.
Salary
The average daily rate of a pentester fluctuates between €300 and €600.
Training
To be a pentester, you usually need to have an undergraduate or graduate degree in an IT-related discipline and demonstrate at least a base level of cyber security knowledge and experience.
The dual health and economic crisis we are going through creates a particularly high level of uncertainty and instability. How to manage your activity?
The dual health and economic crisis we are going through creates a particularly high level of uncertainty and instability. And it will probably last for a while. How to manage your activity?
In this unprecedented context, independent consultants may fear a drop in the number of new assignments and income. Here are a few thoughts to help you better understand the situation and come up with a strategy to maintain and develop his activity.
In this period of relative normality, many wonder what the next few months will look like in terms of economic activity. And it is true: the outlook is worrying. All predictions point at GDPs falling across the world’s biggest economies.
While not the hardest hit, the IT industry will nonetheless feel the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. Gartner recently published a new report in which it estimates that global CIO spending will fall by 8% in 2020.
Before the crisis; during the Gartner IT Symposium, October 20, 2019; the same analyst predicted an increase of 3.7% in 2020. Entering now a period of resource management and reassessment, CIOs will suddenly be forced to prioritize critical services.
As a result, many projects are and will be postponed. This isn’t a complete market shutdown or outright cancellation of projects, but the impact is going to be heavy nonetheless. And there’s no denying the fact that freelancers are often one of the first to be scratched of the budget.
However, and this is the first reason to remain positive, IT freelancers are also the ones who are called on first when projects restart. (We are already seeing this with the confirmation of many migration projects to SAP S/4HANA). Freelancers offer companies a flexibility that is an obvious advantage in a context where business is unstable and where uncertainty remains.
We should also take a closer look at the IT sector, since its different sub-segments are not impacted uniformly. In some areas, the role of the IT department has even been reinforced by the crisis and certain skills are in greater demand.
With the advent of teleworking in particular, IT departments are under heavy pressure to implement dedicated technologies. While overcoming the cybersecurity challenges that go hand in hand with this trend.
Manage you activity: Tips for adapting in times of crisis
Several best practices can be recommended to manage your activity in times like these. The choice of industry is the first element that deserves the attention of IT freelancers looking for a job. If this choice was already important before the crisis; now it is even more so as all the sectors of activity do not suffer the same impact.
It is, therefore, advisable to sectors that are experiencing a strong peak in activity due to the Covid-19 crisis. Such as mass distribution, health or even online entertainment and education.
The second tip is flexibility. More than ever, the independent consultant needs to adapt to changing situations and be more flexible on certain criteria for choosing an assignment, such as the location or the context of the assignment. It is not about accepting just anything or being underpaid, but simply about punctually and opportunely expanding your usual criteria. For example, it may be wise to position yourself more in the area of TMA (third-party application maintenance) and carry out small assignments rather than embarking on full-fledged projects.
It is also important to pay special attention to your “self-marketing.” As always, you must know how to sell yourself. This can start by taking stock of your skills and aspirations to properly orient the way of presenting yourself before employers. Being active on social and professional online networks is also something that will help you stand out from the crowd and develop new connections.
Finally, you have to continue to train and learn, all while cultivating your softer skills. Keep in mind that the ability to adapt in times of crisis and other interpersonal skills can often make the difference between two similar candidate profiles.
Stay positive
Focus on the positive. We know that we have entered a difficult and complicated period from an economic point of view. However, as we have seen, there are several things that should keep IT freelancers positive. First of all, the IT sector is largely spared compared to other sectors (tourism, catering, hotel industry, etc.).
Secondly, the pandemic has strengthened the role of IT departments (setting up teleworking, cybersecurity, etc.), and the current circumstances can encourage companies to resort to hiring more freelancers.
Freelancing is often spoken of as the future of work, the career prospects are very promising. How to advance your career as in IT freelancer?
Freelancing is often spoken of as the future of work. Many people turn to this way of life to gain more autonomy and freedom and be able to focus on the kind of work they enjoy the most. In the world of IT in particular; where the share of freelance workers keeps on growing, the career prospects are very promising. Freelancers are not limited by that many obligations and can develop professionally as they wish. How to advance your career as an IT freelancer?
When you are an employee in a company, your career development is often planned and monitored by the HR department or by management. When you are a freelancer, you have to put in place a professional development plan by yourself.
Here are a few tips on how to do that.
Technology and IT, a rewarding sector for freelancers
In the digital and technological fields, freelance workers generally have no difficulty finding new assignments, but finding the dream assignment is another story.
With equal experience, a tech or IT consultant such as a full-stack developer will have less difficulty finding interesting opportunities than a freelancer in the creative arts. The technology sector is a one particularly sought after by companies, with the best organisations competing to attract and retain the best talent out there.
Top freelancers performers in tech are in high demand, and that is an advantage for anyone who is qualified and passionate about their area of expertise.
Advance your career as an IT freelancer: specialize to evolve
The top freelance consultants are usually former junior freelancers who have evolved through countless assignments over the years. The choice of your missions, then, is key in the construction of a solid professional progression.
Expert profiles, those that are very specialized in a given technology, are very popular with companies. Think carefully and specialize in a skill or technology that is booming right now or will do so in a couple of years. Consultants specializing in cloud, cybersecurity and data science are very popular right now. For example, as companies wage a war for talent to fulfil their digital transformation goals.
By choosing a promising area of expertise and developing your skills over time, you can achieve a higher average daily rate (ADR). Keeo on re-skilling so that your rate can increase over time. It is about constantly re-evaluating the added value of your work for your clients.
Evolve by taking on managerial functions
Another option to progress in your career when you are an IT consultant is to become a manager. Project managers or team leaders tend to access managerial responsibilities. Which often validate their technical or business skills, and allow them to work on larger projects.
This type of evolution is often considered the golden road to progress when working in IT. Since it allows you to “climb the ladder” in a consistent way. But managerial roles are not suitable for all profiles and are not an end in themselves for many IT freelancers, who prefer to focus on their area of expertise.
Manage your own skill development in order to advance your career as an IT freelancer
To develop your career as an IT consultant, you obviously need to gain experience. But don’t neglect training! And that’s not only because technologies keep evolving at a rapid pace. But also because you need to devise a solid methodology to speed up your skill development.
The staffing as a whole is undergoing a profound and rapid transformation. But what about the IT staffing sector? IT staffing enjoys all the benefits...
If you are an S/4HANA expert living the 9-to-5 life, chances are that you have considered going independent at some point. No one would blame you. Becoming a freelance S/4HANA consultant can be a solid career choice
Proof of this is the resurgence of self-employed workers we have been experiencing since 2018. However, this sweet desire often clashes with the harshness of reality. Plus, this lifestyle is not for everybody.
Hence the importance of being prepared. It is essential that you ask yourself the right questions at the right time. Focus on these essential questions.
Here are a few honest questions you should ask yourself before blindly jumping head-first into the unknown.
The real reasons for your wish to be a freelance S/4HANA consultant
The first question you need to answer bluntly is why you really want to become a freelancer. What are your underlying motivations? Would you like to have more free time or no longer depend on an employer? Or is it because you would like to have a wider variety of projects from which to choose? Is it for financial gain?
If your main arguments are mostly “anti-wage,” well – that is not always a good sign. There is the danger of opting for independent employment as a means of escape rather than as a set career goal. If it is only a question of no longer being a permanent employee, it is very likely that you will quickly be faced with the harsh reality. Being a freelancer doesn’t mean drinking French press coffee and decorating your table with a succulent plant while strumming a few hours a day on your keyboard. It is a real commitment, a new way of living and organising your day.
You should take a look at what kind of relationship you have with work, identify your professional aspirations and define your priorities.
Assess your strengths and areas for improvement
Most often, someone embarking on a freelancing life already has years of salaried employment behind their back. They are, hence, well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Making an honest self-assessment is a must to orient your future moves.
If you are disorganized by nature, for example, it will be good to put an effort into developing your organisational skills. You could use one of the many apps targeted at freelancers or improve your time-management methodology.
You should also pay attention to your starting point. If you are starting with a non-existent network, this is a disadvantage that you will need to work harder to overcome. If you have a financial safety net, then you have an advantage compared to those who start without any safety net.
However, don’t turn these disadvantages into barriers. On the contrary, these must be seen as challenges to overcome, to push you to go even further and stay motivated.
In some cases, it can be a good idea to do a little training before you start, to network a little and save enough money to be able to deal with unforeseen events. Take advantage of this period to clarify and outline your services offer and make a business plan.
Defining your offer and your target audience
Freelancing encompasses a large number of roles and services. An S/4HANA consultant must properly market their expertise in order to be successful. Their profile must fit into often-searched categories and nevertheless stand out from competitors.
There are many questions to ask yourself at this stage:
What services should I offer? Which kinds of jobs do I want to do as a freelance S/4HANA consultant?
What elements should I highlight to stand out from my competition? What are my strengths?
How much is this kind of work worth today?
Who is my offer for?
Pay attention to state and European regulations
This step is crucial. Depending on the country you plan to operate in, there will be several legal forms and statutes that you are obliged to comply with. Efficient management of your fiscal and employment status takes knowledge and caution.
For example, you should find out about the rules governing sick leave and unemployment benefits before you start. The world in which you enter is radically different from the salaried one.
Creating a personal business entity is a good place to start. Administrative and management procedures are greatly facilitated and you can often benefit from advantageous social contribution rates. Taxation is also interesting here.
Working with industry-savvy recruiters can also help you choose your status and navigate the regulatory landscape.
Explore our definitive S/4HANA Careers Guide. to gain more insights into S/4HANA careers and how to best approach them.
The Salesforce consultant is on the IT side of customer relations and specialises in the Salesforce ecosystem. Exlpore the role...
Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive E-CRM PM job description to attract top talent.
The e-CRM (electronic customer relationship management) project manager position is at the crossroads of the IT, marketing and sales functions. This role occupies an important place in the field of customer relations on the web; since it coordinates the implementation of digital campaigns across all of the digital platforms of a company.
The experts must first identify the target customers in order to adapt all pertinent actions according to the objectives set. They must then define the means to collect all the relevant data for a given customer. For example, age, family situation, opinion on a product, etc., and they must set up the according processes.
Develop programs to connect with customers
Further, the e-CRM Project Manager must use the right methods to create links with customers and retain them. For example by sending email campaigns. The objectives are to better understand the consumer and retain them to develop sales and generate profit. One of the priorities of the position is therefore to analyze the behaviour of users and their browsing habits.
Put in place strategies to offer products that meet customer expectations
In addition, the goal of the e-CRM Project Manager is to provide value to the customer. To meet their purchasing potential and follow the evolution of their tastes. They need to define a strategy for leveraging visitor and customer data and implement e-CRM solutions to offer products adapted to the profile of each contact. They then set up automated campaigns and tracks their actions to measure ROI.
Required skills to
Excellent analytical and project management skills
The e-CRM Project Manager must also know the client and develop a link between them and the company. For this, they must have robust data processing and analytical skills and a strong appetite for project management.
Good ability to interpret customer reactions
Good interpersonal skills are a must here. The expert is in direct contact with the client and must have good interpersonal skills to be able to interpret user behaviours and needs.
Strong technical knowledge of digital tools
The expert in e-CRM Project Management must have perfect knowledge of the various digital tools employed by the company. In order to carry out the relevant analysis, ensure the correct implementation and monitoring of campaigns. They must also master statistical tools.
This job has been very popular for some years now and keeps attracting more and more young graduates in commerce, IT or marketing. However, there are not that many available positions, and the hiring rate is relatively low due to strong competition.
This role has developed in many sectors of activity: e-commerce, banking, insurance, telecoms …
Salary of the e-CRM Projet Manager
The average daily rate fluctuates between €500 and €900.
Training of the e-CRM Project Manager
Most e-CRM Project Managers have a university-level degree. Studies in sociology and training as a webmaster also help you gain access to this kind of position. But you should know that prior professional experience is essential before becoming an e-CRM Project Manager.
In terms of evolution; after a few years of experience as an expert in e-CRM Project Management, it is possible to occupy a position of marketing director in a relatively technical context.
Discover our time management tips in remote for IT Professionals. Here are a few tips on how to achieve full efficiency while working remotely.
Discover our time management tips in remote for IT Professionals. Having independence in one’s work is a great thing for any driven professional who likes to take the initiative. But it is not all advantages.
Working independently lets you distribute your energy throughout the day as you see fit, giving you more flexibility to dedicate time to yourself and others. Yet all that schedule juggling requires solid time management skills.
Here are a few tips on how to achieve full efficiency while working remotely.
Time management tips in remote:
Start by building a comprehensive calendar
It is easy to get overflowed with daily activities and forget about the bigger picture. Especially for newcomers to the remote working life.
Outline all your tasks and upcoming deadlines and incorporate them into a comprehensive calendar. Plan your week and then look at each day, building a schedule that defines clear goals while allowing for some flexibility.
Spending 10 minutes at the start of each day to review your calendar will let you reassess priorities and adjust objectives. Your goals should be “smart”, that is, achievable without excesses. Sort priorities and categorize tasks.
You can use one of the myriads of free calendar apps out there or opt for the more traditional paper version. Whatever works best for you.
Make sure to put some time on your calendar to deal with all the administrative tasks we all love so much (invoicing, timesheets, reporting, etc…).
Prioritize the most important tasks
It is advisable to use the morning hours to carry out your most important tasks, namely the ones that will demand the most energy and attention from you. For most people, the morning is the time of day when their brain is most productive.
Starting with the more tedious tasks will make the rest of your day easier, leaving the less strenuous tasks for when your mind is tired.
Find an adequate place to work
You must be comfortable to deliver your best work. Your work environment should nurture your productivity and creativity while promoting general well-being.
Don’t forget that your body and mind need to rest periodically to remain at full capacity. Choose a work setting that allows you to take breaks throughout the day. An hour of work usually requires 10 minutes of break.
To manage your daily schedule in the best possible way, try using the Pomodoro, or ‘Tomato’ method — yes, Italian.
This technique is designed to help you split your working day by alternating breaks and intense concentration sprints.
The steps are pretty straightforward:
Focus your attention on a single task at a time
Set a timer to a fixed duration of 25 minutes
Work on that single task for the duration of the timer
Once the time has passed, take a break for 5 minutes
Start again from the beginning and, after the 4th repetition, take a longer break (15-30 minutes).
Plan for the unexpected
Your daily schedule will often be thrown off by unforeseen events that you will have to deal with. As Murphy’s law makes clear, nothing goes as planned. Here, reactivity is key. Allocate some time on your calendar for contingency management so that you are not caught off-guard by unexpected pitfalls.
Companies now require be nimble, act fast and keep a big-picture mentality. Discover these business skills that become priority amidst pandemic.
Making it through uncertain and changing times requires companies to be nimble, act fast and keep a big-picture mentality. At the organisational level, that means implementing smarter resource management and allocation; cutting down fat and focusing on the most future-proof lines of business. Discover these business skills that become priority amidst pandemic.
Although it might seem counterintuitive to a business world that has grown accustomed to laying off personnel whenever there is a crisis. Doubling down on human capital is key to the success of this strategy.
According to Degreed, in the December-March period, the number of clients who searched for business-related trainings to upskill their workforce increased. On the other hand, queries for IT-specific trainings took a considerable dive.
The change of focus makes sense. As higher-level business and management skills can help a great deal in navigating change and identifying new opportunities. For IT professionals and technical profiles, making a lateral career move to become more business-savvy can prove very beneficial.
The most coveted business skills
Based on Degreed’s data, these are the business-related skills for which demand has increased the most since the start of the pandemic, from least to most:
Leadership
This one is a no-brainer. Now more than ever, senior IT experts must know how to effectively take the lead to ensure the proper innovations are implemented across the board. Team management, setting goals and tracking progress, spearheading interdepartmental cooperation. These skills often make the difference between an IT expert and an IT leader.
Compliance
What used to be something for lawyers to worry about is becoming part of everyone’s work life. Especially in areas like IT or marketing, where data privacy regulations keep getting stricter; there is a clear advantage to having specialists who know how to avoid legal minefields in their day-to-day.
In data science and analytics, for example, countless hours of legal review can be saved if those building the models know exactly what they can and cannot do.
One of the most prevalent and accessible data visualisation tools out there. Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence platform that caters to business users. As an IT professional, knowing your way around MS Power BI will make you a great asset in today’s enterprise. There is always going to be someone in need of an expert to help them set up the environment, train end-users and troubleshoot.
Coaching
Helping others succeed should be every coach’s main goal. This is achieved through motivational support, understanding and the potentiation of individual and collective strengths. Being able to help in that regard makes for a great addition to the team.
In IT, the emergence of new standards of working and team organisation; like Agile or Scrum; is making the figure of the coach an even more important one.
Six Sigma
Devised by Motorola engineer Bill Smith in 1986, Six Sigma is a set of tools for process improvement. Its focus: to streamline business processes while minimising the probability of errors. Six Sigma is now standard for many companies, so it can be worth picking it up.
Change Management
As this whole crisis is demonstrating, managing change is no easy task. One of today’s most repeated business terms, change management refers to the series of processes involved in helping an organisation or industry transition to a new reality. Change management takes into account all stakeholders involved in and necessary for this transition; employing a mix of communication; training and restructuring to effect change.
Design Thinking
Based on how designers are taught to approach problems, design thinking is a way of looking at the world as much as it is a method for developing better and more efficient solutions. The strategy parts from putting oneself in the shoes of the end-user, designing the product for what it needs to be in addition to what we want to be. Clearly, a useful methodology when designing apps and platforms.
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