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IT Career Builder's Toolkit, The
- By Matthew Moran
- Published Dec 31, 2004 by Cisco Press.
Book
- Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Description
- Copyright 2005
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 1-58713-156-0
- ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-156-1
Your complete guide to building your information technology career in any economy
The IT Career Builder’s Toolkit features market-focused skills and proven methods you can use to jump-start and advance your career. While other books cover just the mechanics of preparing your résumé, writing a cover letter, and interviewing, this book provides all that plus additional insight from IT career development expert, Matt Moran, to help you plan and create a rewarding IT career over the long term.
The toolkit approach allows you to use this book to suit your unique needs:
- Are you new to the IT field? Benefit by reading the book cover to cover.
- Just need to fine-tune your IT career? Choose a topic and dive in.
Understand and prepare for the various and changing factors that affect your career in both positive and negative ways. Learn how to
- Present the value of your technical skills in the job market
- Position yourself as the primary commodity of your career
- Remove the guesswork out of job searches
- Highlight on-the-job skills and gain meaningful professional exposure
The companion CD-ROM includes career management tools such as résumé and cover letter templates, forms to track important contacts, and self-assessment tools. Start or further your consulting career with sample proposals, opportunity tracking forms, and a time-tracking and billing database. Financial tools, including budget and cash-flow summary worksheets, help you gain financial well-being. Use the Value-Added Technologist presentation to gain a clear understanding of the career-building process and how to use the toolkit to build a dynamic career.
Most of all, have fun! Every year, people advance along the path to career stardom. Let Matt help you to be one of them through his career philosophy “Do not accept mediocrity as a career objective–demand more of yourself.”
“I want you to see the [toolkit] techniques as one more set of skills to adopt in your overall career development program. They are skills, just like your technical skills, that you will use daily during your career. Just as you adopt new technical skills, use the toolkit to define those soft skills that you must learn and put to use. The result will be a more well-rounded and complete professional skill-set.”
~ Matthew Moran, from the Introduction
Companion CD-ROM
The CD-ROM contains valuable tools, forms, spreadsheets, and documents that work with the Toolkit to help you master key areas of your career development.
Downloads
Supplements
Download - 110 KB -
Classroom Discussion Guide (Word)
Download - 9.2 MB - Discussion Questions (PPT)
Extras
Related Articles
An Integrated Certification Plan
Now What? First Steps into IT, 2008 Edition
Professional Networking Made Easy: Priming the Pump
Taking Risks: Are You a Sniper or a Gunslinger?
The Top 10 Problems with IT Certification in 2008
Author's Site
Visit author Matt Moran's site, www.cbtoolkit.com
Interview(s)
Network World Radio Interview, March 14, 2005
GoCertify.com, February 15, 2005
SearchNetworking.com, February 14, 2005
"For networking pros, career success lies beyond skills"
ITWorld.com, February 10, 2005
The Dallas Morning News, February 7, 2005
"Think value-added, IT author advises"
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 30, 2005
Los Angeles Times, January 23, 2005
"Technology market stays strong"
New York Post, January 19, 2005
The Washington Post, January 9, 2005
Sample Content
Online Sample Chapters
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 1: The Toolkit Approach to Career Development
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 10: The Résumé
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 11: Breaking into IT
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 12: Building an Active Contact List
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 13: The Job Search
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 14: The Interview
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 15: Salary Negotiations and Employment Agreements
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 16: On-the-Job Promotion
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 17: The Boundaries and Benefits of Working at Home
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 18: The Toolkit Approach to Consulting
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 19: The Move to Management
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 2: Career Building Defined
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 20: Make Yourself Indispensable
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 21: Concept Over Process
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 22: The Role of Mentoring
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 3: Information Technology: A Great Career
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 4: Defining Yourself: Aptitudes and Desires
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 5: Self-Assessment
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 6: Attitude
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 7: Communication Skills
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 8: Technical Skills
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chapter 9: The Cover Letter
The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, Chpater 23: Financial Control
Downloadable Sample Chapter
Chapter 11: Breaking into IT (PDF)
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I An Introduction to Career Building
Chapter 1 The Toolkit Approach to Career DevelopmentJustifying the Need for an IT Toolkit
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 2 Career Building DefinedThe Danger of a Tool-Driven Mindset
A Job Is Not a Career
Perspectives on Career Development: Careers Are Nonlinear
Perspectives on Career Development: A Working Plan Makes Tedious or Unrewarding Jobs Bearable
Career Building Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 3 Information Technology: A Great CareerWhy IT Is a Great Career
Options
Performance-Based Advancement
Opportunities for Continuous Learning
Pay and Perks
What About Outsourcing?
Outsourcing Is About Value, Not Costs
The Jobs That Won’t Be Outsourced
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 4 Defining Yourself: Aptitudes and DesiresConsiderations in Your Career Choice
Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Needs
Pay
Insurance
Training
Commute and Travel Time
Working Conditions (People, Culture, Environment, Hours)
Future Growth Potential
Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Desires
Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Skills
Beware: Analysis Paralysis
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Part II Filling Your Toolkit
Chapter 5 Self-AssessmentThe Power of Self-Assessment
The Dangers of Self-Assessment
Four Questions of Self-Assessment
Where the Four Questions Came From
Question 1: Do I Make My Employer’s Job Much Easier or Much More Difficult?
Question 2: If I Gave Notice Today, Would My Employer Have an Instant Sense of Relief or Dread?
Question 3: Do I Perform My Job Better Than My Employer Could Perform My Job If He/She Needed To?
Question 4: If Asked How I Can Improve in My Job, Do I Cite External Factors—People and Resources—or Do I Take Responsibility?
Conclusion: Making It Personal
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 6 AttitudeThe Effect of Attitude on Your Career
Positive Mental Attitude
PMA Is Not a Panacea
PMA and a Plan
Beware: Two Pitfalls of Attitude
Unrealistic Expectations
Skill Deficits
The Role of Attitude
What You Think of Your Employer
The “Us Versus Them” Mentality
Management Got There by Luck or Schmoozing, Alone
Your Coworkers
Humble Arrogance: The Attitude of Personal Value
Ownership
The Myth of the Self-Made Man
Attitude Checks
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 7 Communication SkillsDefining Communication Skills
The Benefit of Communication Skills: An Effective Communicator Is Viewed as More Intelligent
Written Communications
General Guidelines
The Letter
The Well-Crafted Paragraph
The Well-Crafted Page
Verbal Communication
Conversation
Presentations and Training
Don’t Wait Until You Are Asked to Speak to Learn This Vital Skill
Cover No More Than Three to Five Main Points
Work from an Outline, Not a Script
Look at the Audience
A Brief Note on Listening
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 8 Technical SkillsYour Technology Skills
The Role of Learning
The Fear of Obsolescence
Another Perspective: Transcendent Skills
Reducing the Parts
Tips to Speed Up the Learning Process
Start with Concepts
Don't Study What You Know
Don't Worry About Catching the Latest Trend
Focus on Solutions, Not Technology
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 9 The Cover LetterThe Purpose of Your Cover Letter
Three Vital Ingredients in Your Cover Letter
Gratitude for the Opportunity
A Significant Accomplishment
Your Interest in Becoming a Producer
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 10 The RésuméYour Ambassador to the Professional World
The Purpose of Your Résumé
Determining Who Is Looking at Your Résumé
Busy Employers
Disinterested Employers
Résumé Basics
Length: Brevity Is Key
No Paragraphs
Bulleted Lists
Documenting Your Professional Experience
A Note About Certifications/Degrees on Your Résumé
Guidelines for Writing Your Résumé
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Part III Putting Your Toolkit to Use
Chapter 11 Breaking into ITCorrecting Perception
IT Happens Outside of IT
Other Avenues into IT
Ask for What You Want
Ask for Advice
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 12 Building an Active Contact ListEnjoy People
Develop a Personality
Have Other Areas of Interest
Engage in Conversation
Track and Remember Your Contacts
Share Opportunity
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 13 The Job SearchGetting What You Want Requires Wanting Something
Defining the Job Search
Remember: Looking for Work Is Work
The Toolkit Approach to Finding a Job
Job Search Outline
A Job Search Comparison
Method 1: The Standard “Passive” Job Search
Method 2: The Proactive Job Search
Method 1 Versus Method 2
A Word About the Out-of-Town Search
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 14 The InterviewPractice Your Interview Skills
Be Prepared to Answer Difficult Questions
What Professional Accomplishment Are You Most Proud Of?
What Do You Feel Is Your Greatest Strength? Greatest Weakness?
Why Are You Leaving Your Last Job?
Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
After the Interview
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 15 Salary Negotiations and Employment AgreementsStart Early
Know What You Want
Understand the Employer’s Perspective
Be Creative
Be Firm
Your Worth to the Company
Negotiations Never Fail
Be Flexible
Employment Agreements
Seek Legal Counsel
Assumptions
Deliverables
Bonuses and Performance Perks
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 16 On-the-Job PromotionOn the Job
Maintaining and Building Your Network
Identifying Areas for Success
Attitude
Working for a Tyrant and Other Joys
Determine Whether Your Boss’s Actions Are Personality or Personal
Understand That People Are “Where They Are”
Take an Objective Path to Evaluating What They Say
Handling Criticism
Determine Whether What Someone Is Saying Is True
Determine Whether It Is Something You Need to Change
Talk to Someone About a Behavior
Don’t Swallow Your Pride—Control It
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Part IV More Options to Build Your Career
Chapter 17 The Boundaries and Benefits of Working at HomeCareers That Lend Themselves to Telecommuting
The Benefits for the Employee
The Benefits for the Employer
The Concerns for the Employee
The Concerns for the Employer
Conclusion: Next Steps
Keys to Successful Telecommuting
Project-Based/Free-Agent Mindset
Apply Discipline
Clear Expectations
Technologies for the Telecommuter
VPNs
IM Services
Resources for the Home Worker
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 18 The Toolkit Approach to ConsultingThe Consulting Life
The Benefits
Respect
Schedule
Exciting Projects
Compensation
The Pitfalls
Business Planning: Taxes, Legal
Billing
Current Workload
Inaccurate Records
Trading Time for Dollars
Schedule
Ongoing Marketing
Ideas on Getting Published
The Process of Getting Published
Resources for the Consultant
CD-ROM Materials for the Consultant
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 19 The Move to ManagementLeadership
Process and Time Management
Critical Skills You Need Now
Presentation and Meeting Skills
Team-Building Skills
Give Credit Where Credit Is Due
Promote Your Team and Its Members
Foster an Environment That Allows for (Even Celebrates) Failure
Create a Project/Contract Mentality with Those You Report to and Those Who Report to You
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Part V The Value-Added Technologist
Chapter 20 Make Yourself IndispensableA Word About Value
Being Proactive
Understanding Technology’s Role in the Organization
Maintain a Business-First Mentality
Create Standards, Automation, or a Programmer’s Toolkit
Create a Peer Knowledge Network
Be Known As the Go-To Resource
Be Ready and Willing to Take on the Necessary Responsibility
Have Experts You Call On for Your Organization
Be Passionate About Something!
Never Blame, and Always Have a Corrective Plan
Adopt Concept Over Process
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 21 Concept Over ProcessWhat to Expect
What Not to Expect
COP Objectives
COP Origins
What Is a Process-Driven Mindset?
The Role of Technology
Role 1: Storage and Retrieval of Information
Role 2: The Automation of Delivery of Product or Service
Moving from Process Driven to Concept Driven
A Concentric View
A Note About Time
Developing Proactive Solutions
A Warning/Suggestion
COP Is Not About Technology!
Start with the Goal of Business
Understand Your Objective as an Employee
What About Mission Statements?
From Goal to Analysis
Understand the Industry
Understand the Business: The Organization’s Role in Its Industry
Understand the Workflow
Understand the Relationships: Interactions/Dependencies
Workflow Analysis
Project Definition
Myth of Limitation
What If?
Congruencies, Incongruencies, and Omissions
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 22 The Role of MentoringMentor Characteristics
Mentoring Others
What Qualifies Me as a Mentor?
The Role of Mentor Is Not a Power Position
Encourage and Stretch
Point to Other Mentors or Resources
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
Chapter 23 Financial ControlThe Impact of Finances on Career Building
Financial Control Creates Options
Financial Control Is Largely Mental
Money Is a Tool
Debt and Spending
Some Basics of Financial Planning and Stability
Defining a Basic Budget
Defining Your Core Needs
Establishing Your Spending History
Creating Your Budget
Cash Flow Summary: A Weekly Plan
Conclusion
Actions & Ideas
IndexIndex
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