Make Yourself a More Marketable IT Candidate

It’s a great time to be an IT professional. In our 2022 Compensation & Workforce Trends Survey, employers told us that IT/Tech workers were the most essential to the health of their organization. In fact, 66% said they planned to back-fill roles that were eliminated during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they also said that they’re having a hard time filling those roles. That means there are organizations out there battling for top talent to fill their skill gaps. It also means there are a lot of opportunities out there for you.

In the long-term, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects solid growth in employment and job openings between now and 2030.

• Employment of computer and information technology professionals is projected to grow 13% from 2020-2030
• 667,600 new job openings are projected to be added

SOURCE: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm

So, whether you’re looking to start a career in IT, or move up to a better position, here are some tips to make yourself as marketable as possible to a potential employer:

Highlight the right skills.

Since the pandemic, IT hiring managers have found it increasingly difficult to find candidates with the following skills, so consider highlighting these on your job applications.

• 44% Technical skills
• 36% Critical thinking/problem solving
• 33% Leadership

Consider staying at your current job to learn new skills.

Yes, there are job openings out there, but your current employer may also give you an opportunity to learn new skills and, in turn, earn a promotion.

• 46% of hiring managers say they plan to identify and upskill high potential employees within their organizations
• 41% say they will reskill current employees

Be prepared to act fast.

If you do decide to pursue a new job, be ready for a fast-paced hiring process. In our 2022 Compensation & Workforce Trends Survey, employers told us that IT departments are hiring—and hiring quickly.

• 72% have shortened the interview and offer process to meet the current demand and competition for skilled workers
• 63% will increase virtual screening/interviews

Take your career to the next level with these IT certifications.

There are many different IT certifications that can help you land a new job or increase the credibility and marketability of your skills. Many IT professionals hold more than one certification because their jobs have overlapping skills. Here are a few of the most highly respected certifications in the IT industry.

• ISACA
  A globally recognized association for IT professionals, ISACA serves the tech community, in part, by offering continuing education and certifications that help you prove your expertise and improve your earning potential.
• (ISC)²
  (ISC)² offers the world’s most well-recognized cybersecurity certifications for IT professionals at all stages of their careers—from entry-level cybersecurity certification to cybersecurity leadership and operations to cloud security expertise.
• ITIL
  The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) outlines best practices for delivering IT services using a systematic approach to IT service management (ITSM).
• Google Cloud Certification
  Next to cybersecurity, cloud computing is the highest priority for global organizations, and Google Cloud Professional Certifications help you demonstrate your expertise in this area.
• Cisco
  There are five levels of Cisco Network Certifications: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert and Architect. Each level of Certification has a specialized area of expertise also known as a track.
• Microsoft Certified
  Microsoft has fundamental, role-based, and specialty certifications for a wide range of IT and technical roles. To earn these renowned certifications, you must pass a series of exams.
• AWS Training and Certification
  Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the leaders in training IT professionals to develop the necessary skills to be more effective in the cloud.
• CompTIA Certification
  The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) certifications are for professionals on IT infrastructure and cybersecurity career paths looking to demonstrate a deep level of expertise in those areas.

Want additional insights to help you make the most informed career decisions? Download our 2022 IT Career Guide now.

Ready for your next great opportunity? Search jobs today >

2022 Compensation & Workforce Trends Survey Methodology

LHH Recruitment Solutions in partnership with Allison+Partners surveyed 1,405 hiring decision makers in the U.S. The survey was hosted in Qualtrics and panel was sourced from Lucid and Currant Fielding Solutions. Fielding was conducted in late 2021.