Expert: Christine Fader - 9/5/2010

Question
Hello Sir,

I would like your advice in changing/switching my career. I
work in a Market Research company, but I want to grow my
career in a IT company as a programmer/developer. I have
very good skills and education in technical prospects. I
have completed Bsc Computers, MCA, DNIIT from NIIT and
learnt few programming languages like C, C++, .Net etc. In
my current company I am not utilizing any of my IT skills so
I want to move to IT sector, where I can implement and
improve my skills. Please advice the direction I can more
forward with this.

Regards

Answer
Hello Prashant,

Often, when work is scarce or we're just starting out, we end up working in something that doesn't allow us to use our most relevant skills or do a job that really captures our primary interests.  But all work experience is valuable so it's great that you have some experience, even in an unrelated field.  Your bosses from that can comment to future employers about your work ethic and contributions and that will go a long way to reassuring employers in your new field that you are a good risk--even if you don't have lots of experience in IT yet.

There are a couple of things you could do to move into the IT field.  One, is seek out more IT-related tasks in your current job (with permission of your boss).  This will allow you to gain some experience while still being paid in your current job.  The other is, of course to watch for IT jobs in your current company and apply for them when they come up.  Finally, you can seek employment elsewhere in IT.

Before you start looking for an IT job though, I would have a long look at your resume.  Chances are that right now you might look primarily like a market researcher, not an IT person.  Move your Computer degree and skills up to the TOP of your resume (under categories called "Education" and "Technical Skills") and put your current job under a category called "Additional experience" later on in your resume.  This will help make you look more like an IT person right off the bat so you won't confuse the employer.

Then, start looking for entry-level IT job postings and also at companies that look interesting.  Even if they're not advertising jobs, there is often work available so you might want to send a cover letter and resume to the technical department to let them know that you would be interested in any IT work that might be coming available (for example, sometimes people are going on maternity leave, or there's a grant that was applied for that will bring in extra money to hire someone else...)  Although they might not have anything TODAY, having your resume will show them that you're interested and available and they might contact you when something does become available.  You're much easier to hire than advertising, going through hundreds of resumes, etc.

I wish you lots of good luck!  

Christine
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Christine Fader
Career Counsellor & Author
www.careercupid.com