On February 22, CompTIA and Apex Systems hosted their latest #ITJobsChat on Twitter and talked about how to grow in your career and move up to the next level. Keep reading for highlights on things like mentors, professional development and why your resume should always be up to date.
How do you find a mentor to match your goals?
You can sometimes find mentors within your organization. Look for people in positions that you aspire to or whom you admire, as well as up-and-comers who may be looking to coach others and practice their leadership skills.
A1: I observe my colleagues and leadership until I figure out who holds the same values. When I notice how they handled a difficult situation or answered a ? seamlessly I followup and ask them how/why they said what they did which naturally turns into a mentorship over time.
— Carrie Collier (@Shi3ldMaid3n) February 22, 2018
Everyone agreed that expanding your horizons beyond the walls of your office can be a great way to find a mentor. That might mean joining a professional organization, like CompTIA AITP, or chatting with a speaker after an inspiring presentation.
A1: A great first step is finding a relevant local community, getting involved, and networking with other members! There’s no shortage of user groups/associations out there! #ITJobsChat #getconnected
— Erica Woods (@ericawoodsgo) February 22, 2018
How do you make the most of your mentor relationship?
Your mentor is giving of their time and valuable advice, so be respectful of this gift. Find out what kind of schedule and method of communication they prefer, schedule meetings in advance, make an agenda for what you want to talk about and thank them for their time.
Q2 - Having a mentor is all about knowing how to best use your time and theirs. Schedule regular times weekly with the mentor and set a maximum time. Come prepared with talking points, be succinct and take notes. #ITJobsChat
— Richard Stanley II (@keiichi_kun) February 22, 2018
Remember that if you’re struggling with something at work, they likely have been through it or have advice on how to handle it. Don’t shy away from asking for their advice.
I make sure to be transparent with my mentor. Let them know when I’m experiencing anything that’s frustrating me in my career. They’ve likely been there and can talk you through it! #ITJobsChat
— Bridget Lorentzen (@Bridget_Else) February 22, 2018
What resources do you use for career development?
Everything from webinars to training sites like Lynda.com, Pluralsight and Velociteach to getting certifications can help you stay on top of the latest trends, improve your skills and get ahead in your career.
A3- Use our Toolbox Talk webinar program! We offer free webinars every month on anything from professional dev to technical training on topics like #Java, #Angular, #Agile & more! Some are even worth #PDUs & #CDUs! Visit our events page here- https://t.co/CMhpnXeSR2 #ITJobsChat
— Apex Systems (@ApexSystems) February 22, 2018
And, of course, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned book.
Yes! I love mixing professional books with personal reads. I'm in two work-related book clubs right now! #ITJobsChat
— Cate Murray (@murray_cate) February 22, 2018
How much time should you spend on professional development?
The short answer is, it varies depending on your goals and situation. If you’re not working toward a specific goal but just want to better yourself, a couple hours a month should suffice. But if you’re building a new skill or working toward a credential, you may need to bump that up to two or three hours a week.
A4 - this is complicated as it is different for everyone. I believe companies should invest 15-20% of employee time in learning. This helps with work/life balance and should be considered as part of the bottom line. @ApexSystems #ITJobsChat
— Richard Stanley II (@keiichi_kun) February 22, 2018
That said, there are no rules that say you need to dedicate long blocks of time to professional development. It can come in many forms.
A4: Every Day!!! In the morning during the first cup of coffee or tea... take the time to read the article (Let yourself and be OK with it - its just 2 minutes) Long drive to work? Listen to that motivational book... Make time for yourself! Do it. #ITJobsChat
— Carrie Collier (@Shi3ldMaid3n) February 22, 2018
Why should you keep your resume up to date even if you aren’t actively looking for a job?
Always. Be. Closing. You should always be prepared for, if not seeking, the next great opportunity. Keep your resume and cover letter up to date and memorize your elevator pitch. You never know when the next great thing will come your way.
"Living Resume"! love this! #ITJobsChat
— Apex Systems (@ApexSystems) February 22, 2018
Why is it important to keep up with the latest trends in your field?
Technology is constantly changing, and as an IT professional, you need to keep up with those changes. Making professional development and continuous learning a habit will serve you well throughout your career and ensure that you don’t stagnate.
Continuous learning in any industry is key. Especially IT as it is ever changing. Stay ahead of the curve and seek continued training! #ITJobsChat
— Anna Colvin (@colvincrew) February 22, 2018
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this installment of #ITJobsChat. Stay tuned for more from CompTIA and Apex Systems!
