Are you on the right track with your IT career?
Technology is a notoriously fast-moving industry. What was still relevant in 2018 may already be obsolete by the end of 2019.
Amidst all this change and innovation... how can you tell if your tech career path is headed in the right direction?
Even the most determined programmers and tech professionals with a well-defined career path need to make adjustments from time to time. Whether new technologies, layoffs, company acquisitions, new management or relocations - your career path is exposed to many variables. We'll show you how to adapt to these changes to stay on track or chart a new path.
Are you always up to date?
Every year another tech sector seems to reach a new peak. Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and autonomous vehicles are the top priorities for tech professionals around the world right now, and we're sure to have plenty more to come before the decade is out. You don't have to follow every trend. But you need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date for the job market.
"You certainly need to be aware of what's happening broadly, no matter what position you're in," we recommend. “You need to educate yourself and understand how the technology landscape is changing on a macro level. Then you have to think and realize what these changes mean for your personal career.”
There are several ways to stay on top in this ever-changing world, such as: B. in-house training and participation in relevant tech networks. Alternatively, you can go to the market and see what employers are most interested in.
Our advice for tech pros is to get out there and do job interviews even if you're very happily employed right now. Meetings with IT headhunters and potential employers are great opportunities to test your marketability. "It allows you to evaluate your skills in the market and find out what people think of you."
Are you ready for change
Sometimes changes in the industry can upset your plans. But it is also possible that your career path no longer fulfills you. Consider that the average period of employment in a company for today's employees is only 2 years.
“When you feel stuck or not learning anymore, not growing, not excited; if the work drains you completely – then you should strive for a change,” says the expert. “Find out whether it is the environment or your position that is holding you back.”
“If you do anything long enough,” we argue, “you'll eventually burn out. So you should always explore your own interests and reinvent yourself.”
If you have new passions and interests in new technology, then invest in it. “You shouldn't just increase your skills in the new area you want to focus on; you also need to shift your reputation. To achieve that, you need to find ways to get involved and get involved in the scene, ideally in your current job but also elsewhere.”
How do you react to crises?
Nothing can upset your career plans like a sudden job loss. Although the unemployment rate in the tech industry and developers is quite low, layoffs are a reality here too.
Still, a sudden job loss doesn't have to be devastating—if you're prepared for it. "Continuously work to improve - almost as if you're expecting a layoff," we advise you. “Preparing means not just relying on luck. You take precautions by building a good professional network, keeping your skills up to date, and taking care of yourself so that when the next company hires someone, you're a desirable candidate.”
You can use a job loss as an opportunity to build on your strengths. Talk to people close to you who can remind you where your strengths lie, and focus on those skills as you take the next step in your tech career path.
