ITCareerCoach Training - Coaching » become an expert programmer http://www.it-career-coach.net How To Take Your Career To The Next Level Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:09:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 How To Get Extensive Hands-on Experience In Information Technology http://www.it-career-coach.net/2012/01/10/how-to-get-extensive-hands-on-experience-in-information-technology/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2012/01/10/how-to-get-extensive-hands-on-experience-in-information-technology/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:36:27 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3375

How To Gain Hands-on Experience in-Information Technology

How To Gain Hands-on Experience in-Information Technology

When it comes to the Information Technology Industry, getting more hands-on experience is one of your most important professional development activities.

In this post, I will explain how information technology workers including business analysts, computer programmers, database developers, data analysts, project managers, software testers and infrastructure / networking professionals can gain extensive, high visibility, career defining hands-on experience!

More Opportunities To Get Hands-on Experience

By far, the number one place to find hands-on project experience in the information technology industry is in web or software development projects!

Now, does that mean that you need to become a software developer?

Absolutely Not!

An enterprise software development project employs a diverse set of software testers, project managers, business analysts, computer programmers, infrastructure specialists, database developers, technical writers, etc.

So, dis-abuse your mind of the notion that software development is primarily a coding or programming effort, because it is not!

Business Analysts / Project Managers

Before a single line of code is written, project managers and business analysts have to gather the specifications and then plan the amount of work that needs to be completed at each phase of the project before handing over the coding to software developers.

Infrastructure Specialists

The Computer Networking / Infrastructure team has to plan or architect the servers, computer networks and workstations that will be used by the entire project team.

They may have to install software testing, development or planning software and they will also have to monitor all the equipment used in building or hosting the software, so that they can guarantee that it is up and running!

Software Testers / Quality Assurance Analysts

After computer programmers finish with their coding, software testers, business analysts or quality assurance specialists have to test the code and assure the client or project sponsor that the software being delivered is reasonably bug free and designed according to specifications.

And while all this is happening, the project managers are busy monitoring the cost and resource usage versus estimates.

With all this mind, here is why software development work provides you with the best opportunities for hands-on experience regardless of your career, industry, domain or background.

Following The Money Trail Works

Better Pay / Compensation

Software development project experience is guaranteed to boost your career options because employers pay more for software development experience regardless of whether the project is outsourced, maintained in-house or developed from scratch.

Software development experience also provides you with better career stability. Since there is so much work available, employers are always looking for or hiring motivated, talented, experienced, skilled workers.

Software development projects are readily available because they cut across all domains and industries!

Highly Portable Experience

Regardless of the industry you work in: healthcare, pharmaceutical (pharma), telecommunications (telco), insurance, banking and finance, securities, utility, customer relationship management (CRM) or sales and marketing, you will find plenty of software development projects.

Software development experience is also highly portable because you can move your experience from one industry or domain to another.

For example, as a business analyst, computer programmer or project manager; you may transition from a web project in the CRM industry to another web development project in the Healthcare / Medical Management industry.

You can significantly improve your chance of getting your foot in through the door even when you don’t have the required domain experience by gaining web / software development experience because that is portable across industries, jobs, careers or domains!

For example, even when you transition from a software development career to a business analyst or project management career, your software development background will still be relevant or useful helpful to your new project or employer.

Why Is There So Much Work In The Software Development Industry?

The software development industry employs professionals from a wide, extensive and varied background.

There is a lot of software development project work available because:

  1. Software development projects cut across the mobile, desktop, web, system development industry
  2. A large number of software development projects fail which means that software development projects last longer than they are expected to
  3. Websites are now integral to the marketing and sales functions of many organizations which means that funding website development is a top priority
  4. Organizations are constantly retooling or upgrading their websites because of competitive forces, marketplace or technological changes

So, if you are looking for a well-paying, portable, cutting-edge career, start building your web / software development project experience now.

When it comes to the information technology industry, your hands-on experience trumps your certifications or post graduate college degrees.

One Good Reason, Why This Won’t Work For You!

Here is one good reason why you may fail to gain hands-on software development experience … looking for a hands-on position without first taking the time to gain the requisite knowledge or skills that will qualify you !

Hear me now, I do not recommend you walk up to an employer and ask for a position for the purpose of gaining hands-on software development experience … except if you are truly qualified to be on the team.

Look, regardless of the position you are interested in: business analysis, computer programming, project management, software testing, etc., you must first take the time to study for the position before you start working on getting hands-on experience.

Why? because without the prerequisite knowledge, you have little or nothing to offer the employer, who therefore, has no incentive to hire you.

Why Is Knowledge A Prerequisite For Hands-on Experience?

When it comes to gaining knowledge, what matters is whether you have the requisite knowledge and not how you did you gain the knowledge; college, coaching, training, self study, articles, professional textbooks, on the job, etc.

Here is why you must gain the requisite knowledge first before you start focusing on building hands-on experience:

  • Can You Perform?: software project teams typical focus on delivering working software and not on mentoring or coaching team members.

    So, without the requisite knowledge, you will be a liability rather than an asset to the team since you won’t be able to keep up with the pace of work.

    Furthermore, you may even slow others down who stop and try to help you or wait upon you to deliver.

  • Return On Investment (ROI): don’t assume that an employer will pay for your hands-on software development experience because most employers want a quick return on their investment (ROI).

    This is because of the costs associated with training information technology (IT) professionals which makes employers picky about who gets to work on their projects.

    You are going to be limited in your ability to gain software development experience, if you do not first take the time to learn your discipline: business analysis, computer programming, project management, etc. so that you are prepared to run when the right opportunity presents itself.

This article is #1 of a 2 article series. The second installation of this article (part 2) may be viewed here …

You may review the references for this article series below.

References

  1. Learn more: The Most Important Thing on Your Resume
  2. Learn more: Which Courses or Certifications Guarantee A Job?
  3. Learn more: Can Certifications Take The Place Of Experience?
  4. Learn more: How To Get Computer Programming Experience
  5. Learn more: Stuck in a College Mindset After Graduation
  6. Learn more: Which Software Development Life Cycle Is Best?
  7. Learn more: Can You Perform? Prove It!
  8. Learn more: This Type Of Hands-On Experience Can JumpStart Your Career!

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2012/01/10/how-to-get-extensive-hands-on-experience-in-information-technology/feed/ 0 Is It Better To Specialize or Generalize? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/12/13/is-it-better-to-specialize-or-generalize/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/12/13/is-it-better-to-specialize-or-generalize/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:13:01 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3367

Generalize Or Specialize, Which Is Better?

Generalize Or Specialize, Which Is Better?

Have you considered the pros or cons of specializing in a narrow field compared to that of becoming a generalist in your industry? Here are some of them;

Business Analysts

Business analysts may specialize as domain business analysts or choose the more general information technology (IT) business analyst career path.

IT business analysts don’t specialize in specific domains because they analyze and specify computer software or hardware solutions for any domain including operations, healthcare, engineering, sales & marketing, finance, insurance etc.

Domain business analysts have general IT business analysis skills in addition to the specialized skills, experience, background or training required for specific domains like insurance, finance, healthcare, etc.

Computer Programmers

PHP, Java or Microsoft .NET Computer Programmers are not specialized computer programmers.

On the other hand, SharePoint developers are specialized Microsoft programmers with the same general programming skills as Microsoft .NET software developers and additional, specialized, SharePoint software development skills.

Similarly, WordPress developers are PHP & MySQL developers who specialize in the WordPress area of PHP development.

Read about becoming a specialized Microsoft SharePoint Developer here.

Database Developers

Database developers working on Online, Transaction Processing (OLTP) systems including Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) like Microsoft SQL Server have generalized database development skills.

On the hand, Data Warehouse developers have additional skills that include building de-normalized Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) databases.

A Data Warehousing career is a specialized database development career that requires general relational database skills as well as specialized data-warehousing database skills.

Read about becoming a data warehouse developer here.

Another example is becoming a specialized Database Administrator (DBA), like a GIS DBA.

A DBA is responsible for managing / administering any corporate database. A GIS DBA on the other hand, is a DBA who specializes in Geographic / Geospatial Information Systems.

Read more about becoming a GIS DBA here.

Before choosing a specialized or generalized career, consider this

  1. Learning Curve: Consider the additional costs in terms of money and time, of studying for a specialized career versus that of a generalized career.
  2. Job Prospects: Evaluate the number of jobs available to specialists to that of generalists in your industry.
  3. Step By Step: Try working as a generalist first before specializing as that will help you gather the experience or domain knowledge require for specialization in some instances.

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/12/13/is-it-better-to-specialize-or-generalize/feed/ 0 How To Jump-Start Your Career When It Stalls! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/11/14/how-to-jumpstart-your-career-when-it-stalls/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/11/14/how-to-jumpstart-your-career-when-it-stalls/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:54:41 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3340

How To Jumpstart A Stalled Career!

How To Jumpstart A Stalled Career!

It has been said that to “keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is the very definition of insanity.“

On the other hand, “if you want something you have never hard, you must do something you have never done!“

So, if your career is stagnating, step back and take an honest look at your work.

Is your work everything you had hoped for?

If the smell of fresh-brewed coffee is the biggest reward after you walk through the office door each day, it’s time to truly perk up your daily grind and reboot your career.

Broaden Your Horizons

One way to jump-start your career is to volunteer for assignments that are outside of your comfort zone or take on additional roles that are valuable to your organization.

For example, you may take on some project management responsibility if you are in a more technical role, so that you can become a better-rounded candidate.

And as a project manager or a business analyst nothing stops you from getting more technical skills, because this makes you more hands-on than your contemporaries.

Adding more skills, both technical or management, can only help you in the long run.

Upgrade your Skills

One of the areas that all professionals need to stay on top of is; “their skill-sets!“

Like it or not, information technology skills are susceptible to losing their value because technology is always changing or evolving.

Read this post … “The Most Important Thing on Your Resume“.

Do What You Love

One of the reasons why your career is stagnating may be that you’re not doing work that you are passionate about. So, you’re bored, and it shows.

But your managers probably don’t realize the problem; and so, instead of working with you to get to the right place, they keep you in the same job, afraid to give new assignments and responsibilities to someone who, quite frankly, doesn’t seem to want to be there.

So the question to you is, “are you doing what you really want to do with your life?” If you find that you’re not, you need to figure out what makes you happy and do it!

Perhaps what you love to do involves working with a new technology, or on another team / company, or taking on a new role / career.

It’s likely that, you’ll need to re-train to learn the required new skills, but you should never let something like that stand in your way.

It may take time and effort to change your career, but it is likely that you will continue to under-perform or be unhappy until you start doing something you love.

Are You In The Right Place?

Studies have shown that, usually, a person’s workplace is not the reason they are not moving up – quite frankly, it usually has more to do with them, rather than the place where they work.

But some organizations are better suited for certain career paths than others.

For example, if you’re a computer programmer, your greatest challenge comes from developing new software applications.

If the work given to you is mostly that of maintaining software systems, you may find yourself getting bore as you repeat the same maintenance tasks over and over again.

Does your company have a technology focus?

That isn’t to say that your company needs to be a technology giant or software development company; because we can’t all work for companies like Microsoft, Google or Apple.

Rather, what you should ask yourself is, “does your company recognize the value of technology or leverage it extensively for the day to day operations of their business?“

Do You Have A Career Path?

Everyone wants to have the opportunity to grow in some way in their work.

Even if you don’t want to move into management, you may want to move into a project management role?

Asking yourself what it is you want to do long-term, and then examining whether or not your company is going to be able to help you get there is something everyone needs to do at some point in their career.

In the end, only you can determine what it is that will jump-start your career.

It might take new skills, or new responsibilities, or even a new job altogether, but there’s not much point in delaying the inevitable.

Other challenges may be phrased with questions like “how can I promote myself”, “what should I do in life”, “what career I should choose” because professionals frequently rethink or regret their choices in these areas.

Here are some of the tips for overcoming regrets and getting more control over your career.

BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE

If you have lost your confidence, you can take it back. Irrespective of your profession, you can regain your confidence any time.

Change your statements from “I can’t do it to I can do it or I can at least try“.

Change your statements from “I did wrong to I did better than before and I’ll do better again“

Change your statements from “Will this idea work? to No idea is bad“

You should replace your pessimistic thinking or talking with a more optimistic apprach or conversation.

Think of yourself as a professional in your department and your confidence will start growing.

THINK MORE ABOUT YOUR CAREER OPTIONS

Working at different jobs or roles will help you build a better understanding of your skills, experience or the opportunities out there.

Search for new opportunities and don’t restrict yourself to just one conventional or traditional career. Keep your options open and you’ll succeed at work.

Read this post … “Is Tunnel Vision Killing My Career?“.

Consider working as a volunteer to get different experiences as this will eventually help you decide the best career for yourself.

WORK ON YOURSELF CONSTANTLY

One of the best ways to boost your confidence is by updating your resume each time you complete a project.

The next thing is stay up-to-date with changes in your industry using the internet, journals, electronic papers, online classes etc.

If you are preparing for a job interview, first have an interview session with your self; answering questions like “why do I want this job“, or “why am I qualified to do this job“, etc.

Your answers should reflect a strong self confidence, positive mental attitude and personal competence.

Try to practice quick answers; lasting for not more than couple of minutes.

Talk with yourself in front of the mirror and give these answers.

This will surely help you in your interview and it will eventually increase your confidence as well.

PROMOTE YOURSELF

The only way to be successful in a competitive job market is to market yourself constantly.

People with strong marketing skills get the best jobs even when they are less qualified than others.

One way to market yourself is to make a personal, nice looking, business card which you can distribute.

Also, consider using a blog to showcase your skills and expertise.

Finally, join a local networking group that will help you meet people.

GET YOUR FAMILY TO SUPPORT

Many professionals faces obligations and responsibilities related with their family, culture, religion.

But they often find it difficult to spare more time for either their professional or family obligations.

If you are thinking of putting in the extra work that it takes to reboot your career, you should discuss it with your spouse or children in advance, to avoid creating a lot of stress.

Consider asking your spouse for support, because the extra work you may need to invest in your career, may place a burden on your family.

The sooner you can take an honest look at your career, make an objective assessment of your skills and prospects and make the necessary adjustments, the sooner you will begin to experience a more satisfying career.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/11/14/how-to-jumpstart-your-career-when-it-stalls/feed/ 0 Wearing Multiple Hats Gets The Job Done! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/10/27/wearing-multiple-hats-gets-the-job-done/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/10/27/wearing-multiple-hats-gets-the-job-done/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:57:59 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3329

wearing multiple hats gets the job done!

wearing multiple hats gets the job done!


If you react negatively after reading a job description that requires cross functional skills, you may be throwing away a valuable learning opportunity!

Though the thought of working on a challenge outside your immediate area of expertise makes you uncomfortable, it will actually increase your value as a resource.

Information technology (IT) professionals are frequently asked to perform jobs completely different in nature from what they are hired or trained to do.

For example:

  • Business Analysts on web development projects may be asked to create cascading style sheets (CSS), design user interfaces (UI) or perform user acceptance tests.
  • Software Developers may be asked gather requirements from stakeholders or customers, verify / validate requirements, write Use Cases or create UML documents.
  • Project Managers may be asked to design databases, architect software programs, document business requirements or create user interfaces (UI) specifications.
  • Database Analysts or Database Developers may be tasked with designing front-end applications or data entry forms used in gathering or collecting data.
  • Technical Writers may be tasked with gathering or documenting business requirements even when they have little or no formal training.
  • IT Managers may help web development teams debug code, test software products, facilitate meetings or gather requirements.

Don’t reject assignments because you have never done them before or because they have not been formally written into your job description.

A can-do attitude or the willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done, is required for success in today’s competitive workplace.

Why Do Employers Blur Job Descriptions?

Employers want you to develop cross-functional skills because they are short staffed, they want to save money or they want you to be a valuable asset to their organization.

Managers typically do not have the budget that allows them to staff their projects with all the specialized skills the project needs.

So, a good way to win your manager’s favor is to volunteer for tasks beyond your immediate skills or comfort zone, especially in areas where your project is short staffed.

Let’s take a look at the typical web development project which in a perfect world, needs to be staffed with project managers, business analysts, user interface designers, web designers, user experience analysts, data analysts, database developers, database administrators, software developers, web analysts, technical writers, copywriters, network administrators, web writers, software testers and more.

If every web application project is perfectly staffed, web development costs will be prohibitive for most organizations.

Also, staffing each project with all the needed resources may be counter productive because there may not be enough work for each role beyond the life cycle of the current project.

For example, the User Interface (UI) designer’s skills are required at the beginning of a web development project to help with the visual design / layout of the web site / application.

However, once the coding for the project begins, their may not be any use for the User Interface (UI) Designer’s skills until a new web development project is launched.

So, the organization that hires a UI Designer will be forced to fire him / her half-way through the software development life cycle!

As you can see, this approach is not ideal for both User Interface (UI) Designers and Project / Software Development Managers.

Employers solve this type of staffing problem by hiring professionals with cross functional skills!

That is why you may see job descriptions for technical business analysts or job postings that require specialized technical skills (CSS, HTML, User Interface (UI) Design, etc.) even though they are listed for business analyst positions.

The willingness to wear multiple hats is required for success in today’s information technology (IT) industry.

Employers want you to be confident and willing to tackle any challenge thrown your way, even when the problem domain does not lie within your immediate area of expertise.

For example, a Microsoft .NET Software Developer may be asked to write some PHP code or a PHP Developer may be asked to write some Visual Basic/ CSharp (C#) code even when these programming languages are not part of the programmer’s skills.

How To Gain Cross-Functional Skills

Developing cross functional skills, starts by acquiring a lot of new information on a new domain.

Here is some information that can help you in the quest for cross functional skills:

  • Start with a Road-map:

    Start with a comprehensive road-map or a curriculum that shows you all the lessons, concepts or topics you have to learn in a step-by-step manner.

  • Learn More to Earn More:

    Identify all the reading resources that you will need to accomplish your learning goals including blogs, videos, textbooks, newsletters, magazines etc.

  • Make Daily Progress:

    Plan to make consistent, daily progress instead of a strenuous, herculean effort.

    When it comes to learning, winning small daily battles is better than a mad, one-time dash that may end in discouraging failure!

  • Get Some Feedback:

    Incorporate third-party review or feedback from peers, coaches, instructors, etc.

  • Build Your Resume:

    Keep in mind that taking on challenges outside your immediate area of expertise, scores points in the eyes of current and future managers.

Keep in mind that wearing multiple hats is an opportunity in disguise.

Acquire a “can do” mindset and live outside the silos or boundaries set by your job descriptions!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/10/27/wearing-multiple-hats-gets-the-job-done/feed/ 0 How To Learn Programming In 6 Months And Get A Job! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/09/how-to-learn-programming-in-6-months-and-get-a-job/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/09/how-to-learn-programming-in-6-months-and-get-a-job/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:15 +0000 joshkemp http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3225

How To Learn .NET Programming In Six (6) Months And Get A Job

How To Learn .NET Programming In Six (6) Months And Get A Job


[Ask IT Career Coach] is a Career Advice Column for Information Technology (IT) professionals looking for answers to their most challenging career situations …

Submit questions about your career using the [Ask IT Career Coach] service and I will answer it for you just like I am answering this question …

Hi My name is Josh Kemp I am 26 married and self employed currently, I have read almost half of “Learn .Net 3.5 in 24 hours” by SAMs.

I like it so far I’ve also done a very little of python and enjoyed that.

I am going to be done the 3.5 .Net book by July 4th doing a chapter a day after my day job.

I am willing to work hard and study and take your software developer bootcamp.

I like your website I love all the information. When should I take the Software Developer Bootcamp?

After I finish the current book? Where do I go after the Bootcamp?

Is it possibe to land a job here in the Northern Virginia area …I would obviously have less then 2 years experience.

Thank You for your advice, and all the very informative articles. Josh Kemp

Is It Possible To Get An Entry Level .NET Programmer Job In Six (6) Months?

The answer to this question is YES because of the high demand for competent or skilled Microsoft .NET Software Developers in the Information Technology (IT) Industry.

The demand for skilled computer programmers is so high that the US for example uses a unique H1B Visa program to fill Software Developer job vacancies.

Unlike what obtains with other careers, even within the Information Technology industry, a lot of software developer positions go unfilled and to fulfill the backlog of Computer Programmer Job Vacancies, a lot of foreign national are hired to work in the USA as computer programmers every year!

Now I want to stress this … the current demand for skilled computer programmers does not extend to every programming language under the sun.

I mean, some programming languages like Perl, Python, Cobol, Foxpro, Clipper are not in demand.

In other words, you have to choose the right programming languages otherwise you career will end up being as dead as the Dodo.

Even though Microsoft .NET Software Developer Jobs can pay between $60,000 – $100,000 for less than two (2) years of experience, they are still hard to fill because computer programming as a career has been mystified.

It is the misconceptions or myths and the computer programming career that stops people like you from pursuing a rewarding career as a computer programmer …

Do You Believe The Myths About Computer Programming

Do you believe the myths, half truths or outright lies about the computer programming career? They read like this:

  1. You need a formal Math, Computer Science or Technology background to become a computer programmer

  2. You need to learn computer programming in a formal college environment

  3. Computer Programming is difficult to learn because it involves mastering low-level programming languages like C/C++, Assembly Language, etc.

  4. All the computer programming jobs in the USA are either outsourced or about to be outsourced

  5. It takes years to become a competent computer programmer because mastering programming languages is difficult

  6. All programming languages are equal, in other words, it doesn’t matter which programming language you learn

If you think that any of these myths is true, then your career is headed for deep waters.

While these myths may be true for careers in medicine, law, etc. they are not true and they do not apply especially to computer programming careers.

Let me start by debunking these myths one by one.

  1. You don’t need a formal math, computer science or technology background to learn programming

    There are lots of computer programmers with Music, Arts, Humanities, Social Science or Business backgrounds because becoming a computer programmer is not tied to understanding computer science but to learning specific software tools like Microsoft Visual Studio or Languages like PHP, C# or Visual Basic .NET or even Office Productivity Tools like Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access!

  2. You don’t need to learn computer programming in a formal college environment

    Colleges are focused on teaching the science of computer programming which is not what makes you a computer programmer.

    What makes you a computer programmer is acquiring practical skills & handson experience in specific software languages especially does that are in high demand.

    For example, high school graduate who spends 4 years building websites with HTML, XHTML, CSS, ASP.NET, Csharp (C#) is a computer programmer regardless of the lack of a formal college degree.

  3. Computer Programming Is Easy To Learn!

    Back in the days when computer programming languages like C/C++, Clipper, Foxpro, Cobol or even Assembly Language where the only viale options for building software applications, learning computer programming was a long, painful task and the image of programming as a tedious, boring, geeky job was perhaps justified!

    But with the advent of Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft Access, computer programming became a fast paced, exciting, cutting edge job.

    Computer Programmers now work on fashionable, high profile projects like designing and coding Blogs, Social Media Networks and E-Commerce Websites.

  4. Computer Programmers now have multiple career options

    Computer Programmers may focus exclusively on designing websites using only HTML & CSS, building databases using Microsoft Access, customizing Office Productivity Tools like Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) or on building enterprise, highly scalable and reliable websites using ASP.NET, Csharp (C#), Sql Server, HTML, CSS !

    With programming languages like Microsoft C#, ASP.NET and Sql Server, the time to market for Computer Programming Projects has now been shortened to weeks instead of years and competent computer programmers have no shortage of clients, projects, opportunities or work as long as they are willing to work very hard.

  5. The Outsourcing of Programming Jobs Is Not An Issue!

    It is true that some companies are outsourcing computer programmer jobs since highly skilled developers in the USA can command as much as six (6) figure salaries.

    However the cost of hiring competent computer programmers living in developing nations is rising because these software developers are either immigrating back to the US or asking for bigger salaries in their home country thereby raising the cost of doing business with them.

    In addition, outsourcing costs are also increasing because US employers have to continue investing in the administrative, project management, business analysis and software testing facilities required to make outsourced projects work.

    And there are several cases where outsourced projects are brought back to the US because the projects were not managed properly because of language, time or cultural differences between how we do do business.

    With all this in mind, the future for computer programmers living anywhere in the world including the United States is bright and the job outlook is comparable or better than what obtains in many other careers.

  6. Computer Programming Languages Are Not Equal

    Computer Programming languages are not equal in the number of career opportunities they will provide you with.

    For example, while Mainframe Computer Programmers are currently experiencing a shortage in the demand for their skills, Microsoft .NET Developers with real-world web development expertise are currently in high demand.

    If you don’t waste your time learning languages like Python, Cobol, Perl and instead focus on becoming highly skilled and experienced in Microsoft ASP.NET, Csharp (C#), SQL Server and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET … you will be able to get a well-paying job in the current economy even if you only have six (6) months of experience.

Tips For Getting A Microsoft .NET Developer Job In 6 Months

Here are some practical tips for getting a Microsoft .NET Developer Job with as little as six (6) months of strong hands-on experience:

  • First learn everything that you can about these programming languages: Microsoft ASP.NET, SQL Server, CSharp (C#), CSS, HTML, XHTML

  • Work on completing at least one (1) Web Development Project started by you or someone else using the programming languages: Microsoft ASP.NET, SQL Server, CSharp (C#), CSS, HTML, XHTML

  • Take a lot of practice tests on the following programming languages: Microsoft ASP.NET, SQL Server, CSharp (C#), CSS, HTML, XHTML

  • Market your resume to a lot of recruiters and staffing agencies when you start your job search.

    Use a website like Dice.com to research the number of programming jobs in your city and if there isn’t a lot of them, consider relocating!

That is it! Follow these few simple steps to get a Microsoft .NET programming job in as little as six (6) months ...


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This post was submitted by joshkemp.

]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/09/how-to-learn-programming-in-6-months-and-get-a-job/feed/ 4 In The Software Developer Industry, Experience Is King! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/03/14/are-software-developer-internships-key-to-landing-good-jobs/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/03/14/are-software-developer-internships-key-to-landing-good-jobs/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:02:04 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3137

Hands-on Experience Is The Key To Landing Good Jobs!

Hands-on Experience Is The Key To Landing Good Jobs!

Once a computer programmer with marketable programming skills gains handson experience by building real-world, practical applications, he or she is virtually guaranteed not just any type of job … but a portable, marketable, high-paying professional career as a software developer!!

Why? Because in the software development industry, Experience is King!.

Real world, hands on, practical, computer programming experience is valued more than computer programming certifications or even computer science diplomas or college degrees!

With that in mind, a promotion that allows you to enroll in our 2012 Software Developer Internship Program ($1000) + SQL Boot Camp Online Training ($499) + Software Developer Boot Camp Online Training ($1000) for only $1125 Ends Today!

How Do You Get A Software Developer Internship?

This is how you can land yourself a Software Developer Internship opportunity:

  1. Start by learning marketable programming skills:

    Internships opportunities go to those with marketable computer programming skills.

    So, if your programming skills are out of alignment with the business needs of employers, you are out of luck.

    Demonstrate a high level of commitment to your career by learning how to program first before looking for how to get paid.

    Software Developer Internships are hard for those who want to be paid first before they learn how to code, get it?

  2. Next, build practical, real-world software applications:

    Internship opportunities do not go to those who have not first taken the time to learn or master a programming language.

    In other words, internships are for putting the knowledge and skills that you’ve acquired to work and not for learning how to code!

  3. Finally, get yourself a good programming job:

    Software developers who first take the time to learn valuable programming skills and then build a portfolio of web / software applications will get a job because they have fulfilled the major requirements for getting hired!

The demand for skilled computer programmers far outstrips the supply of skilled talent available.

The demand is so high that you are virtually guaranteed a good job when you fulfill the requirements I just mentioned.

A software development internship will help you land a good programming job, keeping in mind a few things:

  1. The purpose of a software development internship is to provide you with guidance, mentoring, coaching or feedback as you build real-world, practical software applications, products or services.

  2. Though software developer internships are helpful for landing good jobs, they are still very competitive or hard to get.


  3. Click here to Read More about the “2012 Software Developer Internship Opportunity”

Announcing the Software Developer Internship Program

With all this in mind, we are announcing our Software Developer Internship program for 2012:

  1. Computer programmers: who want to build hands-on software development experience in marketable computer programming skills.
  2. Web developers: who want to be mentored, coached, guided or advised on how to build practical, real-world software applications.
  3. Information Technology (IT) professionals: who want to build a portfolio of database driven web-based applications from beginning to end..

Enrolling in the software developer internship program means that you work on projects like:

  • Building Database Driven Websites using ASP.NET, C# and SQL Server.
  • Developing font-end, user-driven websites using HTML, CSS, JQuery and Javascript.
  • Hosting websites on .NET Framework (ASP.NET, C#, SQL Server and Windows).

Special Pricing Discount – Enrollment Starts Now!

The Software Developer Internship Program is an exclusive program that is designed for computer programmers who want to develop hands-on experience by building practical, real-world applications.

The special pricing for the Software Developer Internship program is set at $1000 for a limited time!

However, if you signup for the Software Developer Boot Camp before midnight Today (11:59 PM on Friday, February 3, 2012 (CST)) you will get a complimentary one-time, $1375 discount and be enrolled in both the Software Developer Internship program ($1000) and SQL Boot Camp ($499) and Software Developer Boot Camp ($1000).

Click here to enroll for the Software Developer Boot Camp + SQL Boot Camp + Software Developer Internship Program ($1375 discount) by making a $1125, one-time payment … this offers expires on Midnight of Friday, February 3, 2012 (Central Standard Time).


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/03/14/are-software-developer-internships-key-to-landing-good-jobs/feed/ 0 How To Start Programming for Mobile Phones? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/01/25/how-to-start-programming-for-mobile-phones/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/01/25/how-to-start-programming-for-mobile-phones/#comments Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:35:58 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3084

[Ask IT Career Coach] is a Career Advice Column for Information Technology (IT) professionals looking for answers to their most challenging career, job or business situations.

Here is a question that illustrates the challenges facing us as we try to find a worthwhile career.

I am a recent college grad who has come to the realization that I wasted time and money in a psychology degree with nothing to show for it.

I have always had an interest in computers, and recently developed a strong desire to possibly move into the computer industry (mainly b/c of google android and my passion for cell phones).

The problem is, i have no formal background, I don’t know where to start, and most articles I’ve read say don’t ruin your hobby by making it your job.

I respectfully seek more information about how to transition into this industry (really into cell phones) regardless of time, money or energy (seeing all I do at work and home is play with roms on my cell phones and dismantle them to discover their contents).

What I have though of so far is going and getting another bachelors (i love to learn; actually what I do best), going to a trade school (ITT, DeVry, etc.) or getting some type of certification, but I don’t know whats best. Any help would be appreciated.

Do You REALLY Need a College Degree to Get a Programming Job?

Congratulations, you have just made an important discovery; which is that it is more important for you to discover and develop your passion than to postpone it for a college degree.

However, don’t lose heart because your time has not been completely wasted.

While you do not absolutely need a college degree to get a computer programming job, some managers will view your college degree as proof of your ability to set a goal and achieve it.

According to Esther Schindler, having a major in a non-computer science discipline can actually work in your favor.

Read more about this in this article titled “Do You REALLY Need a College Degree to Get a Programming Job?“: http://bit.ly/2XKgEM.

The real issue here is not that you have a college degree but that you postponed doing what you love.

You should never put off following your passion for something else … at the very least, you should have worked hard at getting a college degree and also getting handson learning in cell phone application development at the same time.

Is A Computer Science Degree Worth It?

Is a formal background in computer science required for a career in mobile phone application development? The answer is absolutely not!

Again, you are making the mistake of looking for a solution in a college degree.

Don’t you see the trap that you are again falling into? You’ve already spent a number of years in college and all you got is a degree that you consider worthless … though I disagree with you on that.

And again, you are hoping that investing time, money and effort towards another degree will fix your career situation!

You are caught in a maze and it is time for you to wake up or get yourself out of it!

The problem is that most computer science colleges, trade schools or diploma providers will not teach you how to program on mobile phones.

They will most likely teach you just pure computer science and all the theoretical stuff, which is why you won’t be helped.

Even if you hit a homerun and you find a college where you can learn mobile phone programming, by the time you graduate, whatever you will have learned will have become ridiculously obsolete and you will be back at the starting point again!

Should You Turn Your Passion Into A Career?

Absolutely yes! The best career you can have is the one that you love, the career that interests you, the one that you do as a hobby or for fun.

Yes, I am asking you to do what you love and turn your passion or hobby into a full-time job.

The best reward you will get out of work is not the income that you make but the pleasure you get from doing your job.

Tell me, if you are not going to have much fun at work, why on this green planet will you do it?

How Do You Become A Mobile Phone Programmer?

You will become a mobile phone application developer by continuing along the path of getting your hands dirty with real-world mobile phone application development … and this is how you do that:

  1. Look into the cost of developing for each of the mobile phone platforms (Android, iPhones, Windows Phones) and then choose one of them to begin with

    .

  2. Get a good number of books on the platforms that you’ve chosen and start learning everything that there is to know

    .

  3. After you learn how mobile phone programming works on any of these major platforms, start building at least one mobile phone application project.

  4. If you find yourself being overwhelmed by all the information on mobile phone development technology, find a training provider or a course that you can subscribe to and learn mobile phone development in under a year.

And regardless of whether you are learning mobile phone development through self-study or through a training or coaching provider, keep building real-world mobile phone applications.

The biggest challenge that you will face with any Information Technology Career regardless of whether it is mobile phone programming or business analysis or project management is that of finding practical, real-world knowledge.

For overcoming that challenge, I would recommend that you read the book listed here: http://www.it-career-coach.net/book/

Are you facing a challenging career or job situation?Submit your Question to [Ask IT Career Coach] and we will answer it for you.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/01/25/how-to-start-programming-for-mobile-phones/feed/ 1 Which Programming Language Is Best To Start With? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/12/18/which-programming-language-is-best-to-start-with/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/12/18/which-programming-language-is-best-to-start-with/#comments Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:44:24 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3039

Are You Chasing Rabbits For A Living?

Are You Chasing Rabbits For A Living?

[Ask IT Career Coach] is a Career Advice Column for Information Technology (IT) professionals looking for answers to their most challenging career situations.

Do not worry about how to get handson experience in a programming language before you actually learn the programming language … that is called putting the cart before the horse.

If you choose to worry about handson experience before learning the programming language, all that you will end up achieving is nothing … those worries, fears or doubts will only delay your progress because they are either imaginary or harmful!

Rather, choose the path of action or get your hands dirty learning the programming languages that I recommend below and opportunities to get more handson experience will present themselves.

So, don’t hesitate or procrastinate … remember, he who hesitates is lost!

Click here to read this article on hesitation or procrastination

Which Programming Language Is Best To Start With?

Here is a question submitted by a reader on getting handson programming experience and the best programming language to start with.

The toughest challenge facing my career right now is boredom and a feeling of restlessness.

I’m about to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, and I’m itching to start a real career that is more technical than the help desk that I work on.

Therein lies another challenge: I have no experience.

I’m very interested in programming and software development right now, but I don’t know what is hot in the job market in my area right now.

I’ve been searching the IT job sites, and there are positions open for Java, .NET, and Unix developers (each with a minimum five years of experience).

I appreciate your website and the excellent articles!

I now know to self-teach myself programming skills and work on open source projects, freelance and try for some contracting jobs.

Thank you!

Here Is The Answer To This Reader’s Questions

Hi, I am glad that you know how to self-teach yourself programming skills, work on open source projects, freelance and try for some contracting jobs … it seems that you just want to choose the right programming language since you’ve already heard about Java, .NET and Unix.

Choose Web Development Languages:

Don’t waste your time learning programming languages that are not suited for web development. This is because out of all the software development language careers, web developers are the most in-demand!

Choose a Rapid Application Development (RAD) Programming Language:

The best programming languages for your career will be the ones that are the most productive to code with.

Several years ago, software developers were using languages like Clipper, Foxpro, C/C++. That was back in the days when computer programmers were just transitioning from programming for DOS to programming for WINDOWS.

While all that was happening, Microsoft released a programming language known as Visual Basic which revolutionized the programming industry.

Visual Basic was a Rapid Application Development (RAD) Language which contained visual cues for building desktop applications.

For example, it allowed you to drag an icon representing a button onto a screen and then it generated the code for the button for you.

Because it made programming easier, Microsoft’s Visual Basic quickly became one of the most popular and productive languages for building software applications.

For example, using a Visual Basic enabled database software like Microsoft Access, a developer could create a functional application in a fraction of the time it takes a Java or C/C++ developer to code the same application.

Finally, Microsoft changed the game again with the introduction of .NET Framework which incorporates some of the best features of programming with Java, Visual Basic and C/C++!

So, if you want to be successful computer programmer, go with a productive Rapid Application Development (RAD) Language like Microsoft.NET, learn C# and SQL Server … which is the database language that is most compatible with .NET Framework.

Note that you also have to learn a relational database system because both web and windows software developers have to design or develop databases for their software applications … so, learning SQL query writing and database development is required for software developers.

Study Or Handson Experience, Which Comes First?

And don’t be worrying about not having handson programming experience before you get to learn the programming language … that is putting the cart before the horse.

Answer These Questions …

  1. Are you learning the right programming languages?
  2. How productive are the programming languages that you are learning?
  3. Are you worrying about how to get handson experience?

When you start out learning the programming languages that I recommended, opportunities to get your hands dirty will present themselves.

Don’t hesitate or procrastinate … remember, he who hesitates is lost! Click here to read this article on hesitation or procrastination

Another reason why you should stick with my recommendations is that … studying computer programming can quickly become an overwhelming experience because of the myriad of computer programming languages.

So, if you make the mistake of dabbling in different programming languages, you may end up not being skilled in any!

Don’t waste your time chasing rabbits … learning programming languages for which there is little or no market demand.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/12/18/which-programming-language-is-best-to-start-with/feed/ 16 Cowboy Coder Or Agile Programmer? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/02/26/cowboy-coder-or-agile-programmer/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/02/26/cowboy-coder-or-agile-programmer/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:21:56 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2845

Cowboy Coder Or Agile Programmer

Cowboy Coder Or Agile Programmer

Are You A Cowboy Coder Or Agile Software Developer?

Software Developers facing a new programming project sometimes start coding before thinking through or planning an approach.

Coding without first planning or thinking through is a programming method known as cowboy coding.

Cowboy coders approach work with the mindset of coding without estimating or planning.

And they are at a complete lost when the results achieved by their cowboy coding tactics does not meet expectations.

Cowboy Coding Is Dead, Long Live Cowboy Coding

While many programmers publicly ridicule cowboy coding, they privately practice cowboy coding because it is the easier thing to do.

Look around you for cowboy coders. They exhibit some of the following tell-tale signs:

  1. They do not estimate the work required for a software development project before coding because that is too difficult or unnecessary for them

  2. They hack away at code instead of taking time to find the best algorithmic or coding approach for solving a programming challenge

  3. They frequently under-estimate the complexity of software development projects and so they work late nights, weekends or even holidays in a bid to catch up with late deliverables

  4. They dislike working with system architects, business analysts and project managers because the only work that matters to them … is that of writing code

  5. They can’t find time to sharpen or improve their programming skills because all their time must be spent on coding

  6. They get stuck in their code or hit dead walls because they under-estimate the complexity or difficulty of working with technology

  7. Cowboy Coders get frustrated because their programming projects always seem to take a longer time to market than they estimated.

    Unable to see the complexity of their code ahead of time, they are stumped when their efforts fail to produce working software on time or under budget.

  8. Cowboy Coders bite off more than they can chew by embarking on projects that are too large for such tactics.

    Since they do not take time to understand the complexity of their code, they are also likely to under-estimate the time or effort required.

  9. Cowboy Coders develop poorly designed, buggy, unreliable software because of a lack of proper architecture and a lack of a software development methodology

  10. Cowboy Coders produce poor quality software because of a lack of unit testing skills or good co-ordination with other software testers or quality assurance professionals

We Are Cowboys

Despite the superiority of iterative, agile or even Waterfall software development, Cowboy Coding is very much alive and well … and here are the reasons why:

  • Software Developers resort to cowboy coding because structured software development including Agile or Waterfall methods requires more thinking and planning skills from the developers.

  • Formal software development practice is more of an art than a science.

    And it requires additional formal training, education or discipline beyond that of just learning a programming language.

  • Agile or waterfall software development methods places an initial burden or responsibility on the programmer to think or plan their work first before coding.

    This goes against the natural habit of undisciplined cowboy coders.

  • Asking cowboy coders to go Agile hurts their feelings because it suggests that they cannot instantly, easily or intuitively come up with the best code for a programming challenge

  • Agile and Waterfall software development methods require more planning, design and architecture skills which are harder to come by or less intuitive than simply coding before thinking or cowboy coding.

Developers Go Agile!

Why the Waterfall model may seem like the next step up from Cowboy Coding, I recommend that developers bite the bullet and go agile for the following reasons

  1. Faster Time To Market:

    Agile developers work for their clients or customers.

    Agile Software Development helps you get the most important features to market first knowing that about 60% of software features are never used.

  2. Customer As King:

    Agile software developers work for the customer and not for the development process.

    They are empowered to focus, respond and adapt to the customer’s needs with the end goal of giving the customers what they want!

  3. Agile Project Management:

    Agile project managers focus on the current iteration or use it to make better estimates for the next one.

    Agile software developers have better, more realistic or more accurate project plans to work with because they are only tasked with producing working software for the current iteration and not for the entire project at once!

  4. Agile Software Testing:

    Agile software testers work with software developers to produce high-quality software a the end of each iteration instead of waiting for the entire project to complete before testing!

    Testing for bugs at the end of each iteration, reduces the chances of producing unreliable, buggy software at the end of the entire project unlike the waterfall model.

Case Study: An Agile Developer Breaks The Cycle Of Unemployment

Here is a real-life case study of how I helped a C/C++ programmer break the cycle of un-employment using Agile Programming techniques.

Un-employed C/C++ Programmer

Sometime ago, I was approached by a C/C++ programmer with a college degree who had been unemployed for a couple of years.

Transition From C/C++ Programming

Instead of just re-writing the programmer’s resume, I counseled the C/C++ programmer to learn a new programming language and database platform from scratch.

Agile Hands-ON ExperienceFor acquiring hands-on experience in the new programming language, I gave the C/C++ programmer an iterative software development project to build from scratch.

I also tasked the programmer with building a working release of the project very early in the lifecycle and then presenting that to hiring managers immediately.

Guess what happened, including the agile development experience in a resume, got the developer hired in the very first job interview and with only 1 month of software development experience in a new programming language!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/02/26/cowboy-coder-or-agile-programmer/feed/ 7 Would You Like To Study A New Programming Language? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/10/28/would-you-like-to-study-a-new-programming-language/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/10/28/would-you-like-to-study-a-new-programming-language/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:42:53 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2660

Learn Hot Programming Languages

Learn Hot Programming Languages

Learning new software development languages can be fun.

That is one of the reasons why software developers like their careers … they get to learn or solve problems with new software development languages.

However, learning a software development language is a real-world exercise because programming is learnt by doing.

That’s why computer programmer job interviews are designed to test practical programming skills or abilities.

Apparently, some college graduates have a hard time grasping this concept because they seem clueless on how to get a programming job despite their computer science degrees!

So, what do I advise?

  1. Practice as you learn – at the software developer boot camps, graduated hand-on assignments allow software developers to practice solving programming problems.

  2. Solve real world problems – Find a small, real world programming challenge and solve it. Solving real world problems improves your analysis, design and project management skills.

  3. Ask for help – Get help from skilled programmers. Don’t spend weeks sweating the small problems when an e-mail to a coach, mentor or colleague will do.

    Note: One-on-one private coaching is included in the software developers boot camp as part of the training. Click here for more information

Some tech workers still see programming as being difficult because they are unable to work through difficult programming problems by themselves. I argue that learning new programming languages is not difficult!

Register today and get an additional, free training program as part of our 2 for 1 promotional discount which ends this week!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/10/28/would-you-like-to-study-a-new-programming-language/feed/ 2 How to Become a Freelance Programmer http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/09/13/how-to-become-a-freelance-programmer/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/09/13/how-to-become-a-freelance-programmer/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:02:07 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2445

Choose a Freelance Consulting Career

Choose a Freelance Career

This question was posted by Mallory who needs advice on “how to begin a freelance software developer career!”

If you need help with a Question or Challenge, be sure to ask it as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering Mallory’s questions below!

Mallory’s Questions Are:

I have started an account on scriptlance which is for programmers. However I am not a professional programmer.

I joined because I was looking for genuine data entry jobs i could do as a freelancer.

Do I need to be a professional in order to get jobs on that site or will they use newbies.

My second question is how can I go about learning my first language.

I am familiar with excel and microsoft word which are software.

Mallory, Here’s How To Start A Freelance Computer Programmer Career

You can start a freelance computer programmer career if you have at least one of these qualifications:

  1. Computer Programming Skills:

    If you’re a skilled computer programmer or you know how to develop software programs using one of the frequently asked for programming skills like PHP, ASP.NET, C# SQL SERVER, MYSQL, HTML, XHTML, CSS, JAVASCRIPT then you may consider starting a freelance computer programming career or business.

    If you choose the path of learning computer programming before starting your freelance software developer business, learn a popular, modern object oriented programming language like ASP.NET, C#, VISUAL BASIC.NET, SQL SERVER. You may also consider learning PHP, MYSQL, HTML, XHTML, CSS.

  2. Marketing or Project Management Skills:

    Consider starting a freelance computer programmer business if you have project management, marketing, advertising or pubic relations skills.

    You don’t have to learn computer programming or become a computer programmer if you’re starting a freelance computer programming business.

    Learning a programming language is not a requirement for a freelance computer programmer career because you can compensate for lack of computer programming skills by working on business tasks like accounting, marketing, public relations, advertising, project management, customer service or by hiring others to write he code for you!

You may learn computer programming languages and then start a freelance software developer business or you may utilize business management and marketing strengths to start your freelance programming business without learning a computer programming language!

Comparing Full-Time to Freelance Developer Careers

Starting a freelance computer programming business is not the same thing as starting a full-time or contract software developer career and here are some of the reasons why:

  1. In a full-time or contract programming job, you focus on the programming skills because your employer takes care of the business, management, marketing or money issues.

    In a Freelance Computer Programming career, you focus on the business, how to market your business or how to earn an income because you’re the employer!

  2. In a full-time or contract computer programming job, the employer expects you to write code all day along and not to outsource or delegate programming tasks!

    In a freelance computer programmer business, your clients expects you to get the software program written according to specifications!

    Unlike full-time or contract programmers, freelance computer programmers retain the right to delegate programming tasks and may choose not to do it by themselves!

  3. Full-time or contract computer programmers grow their careers through promotion to more senior development work.

    Freelance computer programmers grow their careers by adding on more clients, projects or computer programmers!

You succeed as a freelance computer programmer by working on your business and not by treating it like a regular 9AM to 5PM job!

The Benefits of Starting a Freelance Computer Programmer Career

  1. High-Demand: There is a high-demand for computer programming services. Elance, a top freelancers website reports that software development services like database programming, web design, web development are the most sought-after in the freelance job market!

  2. Flexible Lifestyle: You work from the comfort of your own home, on your own time and at a pace you’re comfortable with.

    You may run a freelance programming career at the time of day or night that suits your family, person or lifestyle

  3. Resume Building: Freelance Computer Programmers who write computer code by themselves can build-up their resume for full-time or contract software developer jobs quickly.

    Freelance computer programmers may transition into full-time or contract programming jobs because as they become skilled at solving problems.

    The benefit of solving problems for an industry is explained in this article: “become a leader and get the job you want!”

  4. Stops Unemployment: Starting a freelance career is a good way to deal with unemployment issues or handle the downtime between jobs!

    It starts you earning an income, gets you building skills that you can trade-in for a full-time job and keeps you doing productive work!

How to Succeed at a Freelance Computer Programmer Career

Starting a freelance programming career is not “a bed of roses”.

You have to deal with client’s demands, pressures or concerns, unpleasant computer programming bugs, the quirks of fellow computer programmers and competition from everyone else who wants a piece of the golden pie!

Here are some challenges that you would have to face or master to succeed at freelance computer programming:

  1. Positioning: You have to develop a position early in your business because of competition for freelance dollars!

  2. Marketing: How well you can market may be more important than how well you can code!

  3. Accounting: Sending invoices, tracking payments, managing accounts receivables, estimating and paying taxes and your cash flow will make or break your career!

  4. Project Management: You have to learn “how to delegate work” because you can’t learn every programming language or work on every project!

  5. Business Analysis: You may not be able to hire business analysts, so you have to elicit, analyze, validate or document requirements correctly and by yourself!

  6. Software Development Methodology: You need to establish processes for checking in code, collaborating with your clients or working on the same project with other team members!

  7. Specialization: Whether you write the code yourself or delegate all programming tasks, consider specializing in web design, web development or in a suite of software development tools.

Choosing a programming language is not your only consideration or even the major one!

There are tools, processes, methodologies and systems that you also have to put in place for your freelance computer programming business.

If you’re interested in starting a freelance career Click here to read or download a FREE Report on the TOP 100 most in-demand skills In The Freelance Industry … or contact us for more information.

This post answers the question of “how to become a freelance computer programmer”.

If you have a question, concern or challenge click here to post it and I will answer it for you!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/09/13/how-to-become-a-freelance-programmer/feed/ 12 How To Learn Many Programming Languages http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/09/10/how-to-learn-many-programming-languages/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/09/10/how-to-learn-many-programming-languages/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:20:35 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2397

learning multiple programming languages?

learning multiple programming languages?

This question was posted by a reader who needs advice on “how to learn many programming languages!”.

If you need help with a Question or Challenge, be sure to ask it as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering this reader’s question below!

Please, send this post to your friends using the “Tell a Friend” Button button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

Here is the Challenging Situation:

I want to learn many programming languages including C/C++, Java, PHP and Microsoft .NET Framework because this will make be very good at programming and employable.

What do you suggest? Are there languages I should learn first or not learn at all?

What’s the best way to go about learning many programming languages?

How To Learn Multiple Programming Languages

There are benefits and challenges to learning many programming languages. Sometimes it’s better to master just one programming language and some other times it’s advantageous to learn more !

Learning many programming languages poses a special challenge. Part of this challenge is remembering the syntax or coding paradigms behind each programming language.

The challenge of devoting the time it takes to learn or master just one programming language should not be under-estimated.

On the other hand, the benefits of successfully learning many programming languages includes having more employment options because you can work on a wide variety of software developemnt platforms.

Here is additional guidance on when you may learn multiple programming languages:

Should Junior / Entry-Level Programmers Learn Multiple Languages?

If you’re just starting your programming career, then I would advise you to focus on learning just one programming language at a time.

This is because there’s little to be gained by listing many programming languages on your resume without really being good or highly skilled in any of them!

As a general rule, it’s far better to learn one programming language and master it well before learning other programming languages.

Beginner, Entry Level, Junior or Hobby Programmers are more likely to fall into the trap of learning on too many programming languages.

They are likely to dabble in multiple programming languages ranging from PHP to C/C++ to Java. Unfortunately, while they may learn a little of each programming languages they are good at none!

The danger facing newbies to computer programming is that they understimate their own powers and the challenges of learning a programming language. So, in a bid to prove themselves, they bite on more than they can chew!

Without a lot of programming experience, newbie computer programmers really have no idea of what they’re trying to accomplish.

In trying to impress others by working on many programming languges, they end up “A Jack of All Trades and Master of None”.

Should I Learn A Software Development Platform?

On the other hand, while beginner programmers should not worry about learning many programming languages, they should learn or master all the programming languages for a platform, one at a time.

For example, if you’re learning PHP, you should also plan to learn MySQL and vice versa.

The reason is because, employers or clients hiring for PHP skills will also expect or need MySQL Database Services.

Another example is that of programmers learning .NET Framework who should plan on learning the entire Microsoft .NET Software Platform including ASP.NET (for building web applications), SQL Server for building Databases and C# or Visual Basic for programming.

Should I Mix and Match Programming Languages?

Programmers should look out and learn other technologies within their familiar programming languages.

For example, both PHP Programmers and ASP.NET Programmers should take the time to learn or master HTML, CSS and JavaScript as these are useful for all programmers.

However, learning PHP and then jumping to Java or C/C++ is a different matter altogether.

Here is “how to to learn many programming languages”:

  1. Learn programming languages one at time.

  2. Master, become highly competent or become an expert at one programming language before attempting to learn another.

  3. Learn all the tools, technologies and programming languages in one family (LAMP, MICROSOFT.NET, JAVA) first before switching tracks.

  4. Employers hire for quality (competency) and not quantity. So, be clear to yourself on why you’re learning many lanaguages!

  5. Learning many programming languages requires dedication and time. So, be sure to plan adequately and budget the right amount of effort or time to your learning. Don’t under-estimate the required effort.

  6. If you’re a skilled developer or a senior programmer or a software architect, there may be some good advantages and fewer risks to you branching out and learning many other languages.

This post is an answer to a “question on how to learn multiple programming languages.
If you have a question, concern or challenge, click here to post it and I will answer it for you!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/09/10/how-to-learn-many-programming-languages/feed/ 9 Learn Data Analysis Online – The Easy Way! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/08/20/learn-data-analysis-online-the-easy-way/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/08/20/learn-data-analysis-online-the-easy-way/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:32:45 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2291


Learn Data Analysis The Easy Way!

Learn Data Analysis - The Easy Way!


Data Analyst Training Courses Are Usually Not Cheap …

But Now, By Using The Latest Advances In Technology …

Data Analysts May Get Trained At Home Or Office …

For A Fraction Of The Traditional Cost!

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  • Statistical Principles Course

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  • Time Series Analysis Course

  • SQL Data Analysis Courses

  • Database Classes …

  • … And More!

The Data Analyst Boot Camp Is …

How To Boost IT Skills Rapidly Or Get Hired Fast

This Is How To Achieve!

  • Location Independent! You may enroll for a course from Tokyo, Japan or Calgary, Alberta, Canada or New York City, USA Or from your city without having to travel.

  • “Affordable” … Data Analyst classes are expensive.
    You pay for Hotel + Food + Travel + Course Fees! A combined Statistics Class + Data Analysis Course + Database class quickly adds up to more than 5,000 dollars. The Data Analysts Boot Camp is less than a fraction of that cost!

  • Convenient You don’t have to be out-of-office, miss deadlines or fall behind at work. You can take your training during office breaks or in the evening hours at home! Whatever is convenient for you, works for us as well!

  • Career-Focused …the Data Analyst training courses match the tasks, assignments or projects you perform for employers on the job guaranteeing that the new skills you gain after training are immediately relevant to your career or employer!

“No Barriers” to Data Analyst Training!

  • There are no barriers, no distance and no obstacles to your Data Analyst training!

  • We have simplified the learning of Data analysis … so we can guarantee … it will not be intimidating for you!

  • You can stop forking-over thousands of hard-earned dollars to pay for expensive training … Data Analyst Boot Camp provides the big return on investment (ROI).

  • Here at last … the convenient, flexible, affordable Data Analyst training program that delivers on career success.

Is The Data Analyst Boot Camp For You?

Top Paying Skills in High Demand

Become A Data Analyst

The Data Analyst boot camp is for Data Analysts, Data Analysts, Database Developers, Business Analysts, Quality Assurance (QA) Professionals, Business Managers or IT professionals interested in learning Data Analysis online.

It covers the entry level to senior Data Analyst’s training requirements including Statistics classes, SQL classes, Database courses, Data Analysis classes and more …

“It couldn’t be simpler, easier, more flexible, more convenient or more affordable!” And with the low, affordable training price … you have the GO-AHEAD to BEGIN your training!

What Happens When You Sign-Up?

  • Private Access: You get a secure, private login … which you use for accessing your Data analysis courses.

  • Instructor Led: A Data Analyst trainer or course instructor is assigned to you … for the duration of your training.

  • Progress Feedback / Report Card: You can measure or monitor your progress … with in-built practice tests or quizzes or exams. Your personal report card which is available 24/7 shows your grades or maps your progress.

  • Ongoing Private Mentoring: You may post questions or discussions on the Data Analyst training videos, assignments or quizzes and get one-on-one feedback, help, coaching or mentoring from your Data Analyst Course Instructor.

  • Hands-On Lab Training: You are assigned real-world, practical, hands-on Data analysis projects …. allowing your to put your knowledge to work! Your learning is immediately beneficial to you … because it is transformed into real-world practical skills or experience!

  • Live Or Online Video-Based Training: You do not have to pay extra for the Data Analyst Boot Camp’s step-by-step training videos, study guide or presentations! You may watch the video sessions at your convenience … or as often as you want!

  • Guaranteed Completion Certificate: As you take your training … the online report card creates a detailed transcript from your quizzes, practice tests, assignments or lab-work … the results are mailed to you along with your certificate … at the end of the Data Analysts training program!

Here at last … the affordable, convenient, effective training that delivers on career success for Data Analysts. Sign-up now to get started.


Sign-Up For More Information On The Data Analysts Boot Camp …

The Data Analysts Boot Camp – How Does It Work?

Learn Data Analysis Online

Learn Data Analysis Online

  • Anywhere, Anytime, Web-based Learning Management System (LMS)

    • You take your data analyst training from any location because it is always available online using a web-based learning management system (LMS) and real, human course instructors

  • Cutting Edge Learning Management System (LMS)

    • Your training schedule is managed by a learning management system (LMS) which sends personalized links to data analyst videos, hands-on projects and practice tests

    • The LMS assigns time to each training video, practice test or hands-on project and you may finish at a different time, based on your own schedule

    • You submit back hands-on projects for review, grading or feedback to live course instructors using a feature of the LMS

    • The LMS boosts your data analysis skills using quizzes and displays your grades in real-time using a secure, private, online report card

    • The LMS constantly monitors or improves your understanding of course material using multiple learning opportunities!

  • Yes, You Retain Access Rights After Course Completion!

    • The LMS provides you with FULL and PERMANENT access to ALL training videos after course completion

    • You can watch your training videos on the “Resources” feature of the LMS during or after your training

  • Flexible + Convenient + Affordable Training For Data Analysts

    • Yes, you are given ample time to complete each data analyst training videos, practice tests or hands on projects

    • Yes, you can login for training at any time

    • Yes, you may pause training any time because of work or life commitments without any penalty

    • Yes, you may resume training at any time without any penalty

    • Yes, you are not required to login at a specific time or at the same time as someone else

    • Yes, your data analyst training is a “go at your own pace“, anytime, anywhere, anypace training.

    • Yes, you may take some of your training at work (during lunchtime) or at home (after dinner) or on the road (from your laptop)!

  • Data Analyst Training For IT Professionals

    • Your course instructors take you step by step from utter beginner to senior level topics

    • You can start immediately (without paying for entrance examinations or additional pre-requisite courses) because all preparatory, foundational or pre-requisite topics are in-built and included

    • You learn by simply watching course instructors using hands-on instructional videos

    • The Data Analysts Boot Camp covers the requirements for data analyst careers!

  • Yes, You Set The Pace For Your Data Analyst Training

    • Yes, you accelerate or speed-up your data analyst training or customize your learning to your own study time

    • Yes, you may finish training at a faster or slower pace than estimated

    • Yes, you don’t have to start or finish at the same time as everyone else

  • Yes, Your Browser Is Good Enough!

    • All necessary software features are prebuilt into our LMS … so, you won’t be messing around with troublesome software installations

    • And yes that means you won’t be worrying about browser requirements either!

  • Advance Your Career Online AT “The Data Analysts Boot Camp”


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/08/20/learn-data-analysis-online-the-easy-way/feed/ 0 How Do I Overcome Employment Gaps In My Oracle Programming Career? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/13/how-do-i-overcome-employment-gaps-in-my-oracle-programming-career/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/13/how-do-i-overcome-employment-gaps-in-my-oracle-programming-career/#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:18:30 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2022

Ask IT Career Coach

Ask IT Career Coach

This question was posted by a reader who wants to overcome obstacles posed by employment gaps in an Oracle Programming Career!

Please, send this post to your friends using the “Tell a Friend” Button button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

If you need help with a Question or Challenge, be sure to ask it as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering this reader’s question below!

Here is the Reader’s Question:

Hello,

The toughest challege facing my career right now is, I have been unemployeed for an extended period of time.

I have nine years of Oracle programming experience, but I have been out of work for some years now.

I have been told by employeers that it has been too long since I have had any professional experience.

The job market is very competitive right now.

How do I compete with other programmers who may not have been out of work as long as I have?

I am attending classes so that I am not completely idle. My major is Computer Information Systems. However, I urgently need to work.

Here is my Answer:

Although, the job market is competitive, getting back into full-time employment after a stay at home period is not impossible.

Follow these guidelines to boost your competitiveness compared to that of other computer programmers.

  1. Broaden Your Skills: To stay competitive in the job market, you must broaden your skills because IT Managers are hiring for a broader range of skills!

    Begin by learning those skill that are in high demand and are also a natural complement to your existing skill base.

    For example, SQL Server programming skills are in high-demand and will complement your existing skill sets. By learning SQL Server programming you will be able to target both Oracle Programming Jobs and SQL Server Database Programming Jobs.

  2. Transition To a Software Developer Career: Take advantage of your existing programming strengths by learning a new programming language!

    Draw upon your understanding of Oracle programming to learn a completely new programming tool.

    This will help your career by giving you skills that make you more attractive to employers.

    For example, there are lots of programming jobs that require Microsoft .NET Front-End Programming Skills and Oracle Database or SQL Server Back-End Developer Skills.

    By learning Microsoft.NET you will become competitive in the current job market as you gain the ability to work on the User Interface Front-End or Business Logic Layer or Database Back-End!

  3. Overcome Employment Gaps By Becoming More Marketable: There is nothing that you can do about your employment gaps because it’s already happened and it is going to stay on your resume!

    However there is plenty you can do if you understand the power of having a marketable skill.

    When you hear employers complaining about the gaps in your employment, what they are really saying is that they don’t find your resume or skills compelling enough!

    You can completely by-pass this objection by acquiring the kind of skills that make you a marketable, in-demand IT Professional.

    This is the single, most important thing within your power to do … Learn a new skill or career that makes you instantly attractive, desirable and employable!

How to Overcome Your Employment Gap?

Not too long ago, I was helping someone who hadn’t worked for a number of years. He was in a pretty bad situation because he had a very short employment history and also an employment gap for no good reason.

The way we got around that situation was by getting him to update his skills by learning Microsoft .NET Software Development.

The demand for Microsoft .NET programmers is so high that this guy got hired at his very first interview … despite not having a credible explanation for the gaps on his resume!

I ‘m saying that considering your Nine Years of Oracle programming experience, all you have to do is to make yourself more marketable.

Remember that you already have a far better resume than the individual in question.

So, How Do You Become A Microsoft .NET Software Developer?

  1. You become a Microsoft .NET Software Developer by enrolling at the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

    The software developers boot camp is an Online, Video Based, Web Based, Instructor Led, Beginner to Advanced Software Developer Training that incorporates knowledge based training in the form of Video Lessons and Hands-On Skill Building Microsoft.NET Training in the form of Microsoft .NET Projects, Case Studies, Labs, Hands-On Coding Activities and more.

  2. The SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP provides you with the skill needed to become a professional software developer or consultant. You learn ASP.NET, C#, Web-Based development in a practical, real-world, hands-on online computer programming course!

  3. Finally, I will also advise you to register for the SQL Boot Camp because SQL Server Database skills are usually required in Microsoft .NET software developer positions. You should register for both the SQL Boot Camp and the Software Developers Boot Camp at the same time to get the best results.

    So, register here for the SQL BOOT CAMP and also register here for the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

This post answers a question posted by a reader on “How To Overcome Employment Gaps in Oracle Programming Career! If you have any Question about your career, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/13/how-do-i-overcome-employment-gaps-in-my-oracle-programming-career/feed/ 10 How To Become a Microsoft .NET Software Developer http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/08/how-to-become-a-microsoft-net-software-developer/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/08/how-to-become-a-microsoft-net-software-developer/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:16:42 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1911

microsoft.net software developer job

microsoft.net software developer job

This question was posted by a reader who wants to become a Microsoft .NET Developer!

If you need help with a Question or Challenge, be sure to ask it as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering this reader’s question below!

Please, send this post to your friends using “This Link”.

By Sharing This Post you are helping your friends receive valuable information or succeed.

Here is the Reader’s Question:

First, a little bit about myself.

I have been in Information Technology for many years and most of my time was spent in software application development.

I can honestly say that I have truly enjoyed a majority of those years and what I have valued most is working with people and solving their problems.

Building relationships is one of my strengths, although that does not seem like a skill, which one can market.

Challenges facing me:

I am an application developer working with COBOL and VMS skills.

I have some experience with .NET but dont really feel well versed in the technology.

I have taken several training programs but all of them left me wanting. Besides being uninspiring, none of them really knew how to impart knowledge so that an individual could become productive in a short period of time.

Your website seems to indicate that you do know how to do that.

I have also begun to wonder if learning JAVA is the better way to go, since to some degree it is more open than Microsofts .NET technology.

How To Become A Microsoft.NET Software Developer

Passion as a Strength: I am glad you are passionate about your information technology career.

Passionate people are more likely to go out of their way to make their career work and the lack of passion is one of the reasons why people get burnt out or stop producing in their careers!

  1. Relationship Building Skills / Strengths: Your relationship building skill is actually a strength that can be marketed. That is one of the things that you learn from SWOT Analysis … “how to take advantage of your strengths by marketing to your opportunities“.

    The reason why it seems that your relationship skills are of little financial value is that you haven’t taken the time to identify or evaluate your opportunities in the light of your strengths.

    If I was to present you with a Cobol / VMS job, you will easily recognize it as an opportunity, because you have trained your mind to look out for or act on Cobol or VMS Job opportunities.

    But if I were to present you an opportunity to profit by exercising your relationship building skills, you may not recognize or act on it because you’ve not trained your mind to do so!

    SWOT Analysis helps you identify your opportunities in the light of your strengths and come up with a plan or strategy for acting on them.

    For example, you may be able to take advantage of or exercise your relationship building skills by referring contacts who need IT Career Advice, IT Coaching or IT Training to our website.

    If you have a really large list of contacts and you are really very skilled at building relationships, you may even go into a part-time or full time IT recruiting career!

    So opportunities to take advantage of your relationship building skills exist, you just have to take the time to properly identify, evaluate and act on them.

  2. How to Get Productive IT Knowledge in a Short Period of Time:

    Yes, you are right in saying that our website’s focus is “impacting productive knowledge in a short period of time“!

    Our definition of productive knowledge is practical, hands-on, job or career focused skills that you can put to work immediately you complete training. This is how our training works:

    • Knowledge + Practice Based Online Training:

      Our online training provides you with a blend of knowledge based training and hands-on skill building, practice based training.

      Knowledge based training is the training gained only from watching videos or instructors in a traditional classroom education or information gained just by just a book.

      Knowledge based training alone does not help because you also need practical job-based skills which are gained by working on real-world problems

      So you learn by doing and not just by watching others!

      You learn by doing or practicing what you’ve learned in a course. Our online training incorporates multiple types of hands-on, practical, real-world training.

      What this means to you as a software developer is that you practice writing actual working Microsoft .NET Code in our Hands-On Labs before you perform the same tasks for an employer.

    • Skill Sharpening Online Training: It is not enough to learn a new programming skill, you also need to sharpen your new programming skill to the point where it becomes productive or highly effective.

      In the real-world, IT Managers assign aggressive deadlines to their software development projects and only those Computer Programmers with sharp programming skills are be able to meet those deadlines.

      So, it is not enough to learn the Microsoft .NET Programming Language (ASP.NET, C#, Visual Basic .NET), you also have to be sharp, effective or productive at writing code especially if you intend to transition from being a hobby programmer to a professional Microsoft .NET Developer!

  3. Demand for Java versus Demand for Microsoft .NET Programming Skills:

    This is a sensitive question because whenever you compare the demand for a career like business analysis to the demand for another career like computer programming, people’s feelings and emotions get involved, hurt or mixed-up!

    So, I want to preface by answer with this statement: Java and Microsoft .NET are both excellent programming languages because they are both object oriented programming (OOP) languages.

    However if you are looking for a stable, full-time, professional software developer career, I will recommend Microsoft .NET over the Java programming language and here are a few reasons why:

    • High Demand for Microsoft .NET Software Developers:

      The demand for Microsoft .NET computer programming skills is high because there are more Microsoft .NET (ASP.NET, C#, VB.NET) software developer job postings than there are competent or skilled Microsoft .NET computer programmers.

      I have also observed that the demand for Microsoft .NET Programmers jumped in the last five years compared to the demand for Java Programming Skills.

      Previous to that, there was a higher demand for Java Programmers because Microsoft.NET was still relatively new in the market.

    • The Marketing of Microsoft.NET Compared to Java Programming Language:

      Another reason why I recommend Microsoft .NET (ASP.NET, VB.NET, C#) over Java is that Microsoft has been successful at marketing the Microsoft .NET development environment to businesses based on their bigger, better marketing team.

      Now, I am not a blind supporter of Microsoft Tools. I also hate those Microsoft products that have been failures.

      For example, I like PHP while I hate Windows Vista with a Passion :-)

      I also don’t use MSN Search and I use Google Search.

      However, Microsoft .NET Developers have more Career or Job options than their Java colleagues because the Microsoft .NET programming languages has also been extended to other platforms including Microsoft SharePoint (Collaboration, Communication), Microsoft Dynamics (Customer Relationship Management ), Microsoft SQL Server (Enterprise Database Computing), Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word), Microsoft Data Mining, Microsoft Mobile Devices.

    So, by learning Microsoft .NET you hook up your career or job prospects with Microsoft’s product leadership and huge marketing muscle.

    Finally, I recommend Microsoft.NET over Java because it offers you a shorter learning curve and more career prospects or job options.

So, How Do You Become A Microsoft .NET Software Developer?

You become a Microsoft .NET Software Developer by enrolling at the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

The software developers boot camp is an Online, Video Based, Web Based, Instructor Led, Beginner to Advanced Software Developer Training that incorporates knowledge based training in the form of Video Lessons and Hands-On Skill Building Microsoft ,NET Training in the form of Microsoft .NET Projects, Case Studies, Labs, Hands-On Coding Activities and more.

The SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP provides you with the skill needed to become a professional software developer or consultant.

You learn ASP.NET, C#, Web-Based development in a practical, real-world, hands-on online computer programming course!

Finally, I will also advise you to register for the SQL Boot Camp because SQL skills are usually required in software developer positions.

You should register for both the SQL Boot Camp and the Software Developers Boot Camp at the same time to get the best results.

So, register here for the SQL BOOT CAMP and also register here for the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

This post answers a question posted by a reader on “How To Become a Microsoft .NET Software Developer! If you have any Question about your career, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/08/how-to-become-a-microsoft-net-software-developer/feed/ 15 It Is Never Too Late To Become A Computer Programmer! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/22/it-is-never-too-late-to-become-a-computer-programmer/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/22/it-is-never-too-late-to-become-a-computer-programmer/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:53 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1666

Ask IT Career Coach

Ask IT Career Coach

This question was posted by a reader who wants to become a computer programmer!

If you need help with a Question or Challenge, be sure to ask it as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering this reader’s question below!

Please, send this post to your friends using the “Tell a Friend” Button button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

Here is the Question:

hi

i am 55 yrs old now, and I am more or less retired since the financial crisis hit us last year.

I used to work in a shipping company, in the operations dept.

I am keen to switch to an IT carer, specializing in programming. What are my chances, to build a career in programming so late.

In my younger days in 1985-1986 I took a course in computer science and programking skills langauge used basic and cobol, but i joined my brother in a shipping and forwarding company and have not done any programming.

Here is my Answer:

Let me answer your question by making a bold statement: “it is never too late to pursue happiness!“

Here in the United States we believe that “All Men … are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights … Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness“.

So, if pursuing a career in computer programming represents happiness for you … then do so regardless of your age!

I have worked with skilled computer programmers older than 55 years … one of them being a contract programmer employed by Robert Half International Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the other, a contract programmer at a Loyalty Marketing Firm in Saint Louis, Missouri.

The last time I spoke with either of them, they were in-demand, happy and at the top of their game … their age not withstanding!

But I will give you some additional reasons why “it is never too late to become a computer programmer!”

High Demand For Contract Computer Programmers

I will suggest that you become a computer programmer by first going into contract programming because the demand for skilled contract computer programmers far outweighs their supply!

You can independently verify this fact by looking at the number of contract programming gigs posted in Dice.Com.

Skilled Contract Programmers are so much in supply that you can earn six figures with full-medical, 401K and dental benefits within the first year or two … if you are good!

Age Is Not A Barrier To Freelance Computer Programming Career

The demand for skilled programmers also makes it easy and feasible for you to become a freelance computer programmer

As a freelance computer programmer, you are responsible for finding your own clients, paying your own taxes and benefits while keeping the option of working from your home office or personal business site.

Freelance computer programming is all about talent, skill and performance and not about your age, sex, nationality or education. If you know your stuff and you can promote yourself then you are in business.

So, I suggest that you learn computer programming first and using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats ) Analysis determine if freelance computer programming is for you.

Age is Not A Barrier To Managing Computer Programmers

If you have learnt computer programming, you may specialize in managing computer programmers or software development projects.

Your age may actually work in your favor if you’ve learnt how to position it as a strength and not a weakness!

You may be hired over younger computer programmers who are sometimes seen as being more arrogant, less likely to stay on a job and less experienced at dealing with people.

One thing you may need to learn is “how to position yourself to employers by emphasizing your strengths!“. So, I would encourage you to spend more time thinking of how your age can be an asset versus how it is a liability!

Sharp Computer Programming Skills In-Demand

The IT Industry values skill-based competency over any other attribute and that goes for computer programming careers too!

If you really want to become a computer programmer, I would advise you to focus all your strength on becoming the best programmer you can be!

While pursuing your programming career, focus on developing a high-level of mastery or competence and get ready to prove it to hiring managers.

If you can prove that you are as good or better than the skill demands for the job, then you will be employed and you will stay employed … it is that simple!

Previous Industry Experience Helps

Here is another reason why your age can be an asset if you learn how to position it correctly using a tool like SWOT Analysis!

You may have an advantage over younger programmers because you have worked in more industries and you are more exposed to how business is done compared to a younger computer programmer who may even be fresh out of college

You should highlight your previous industry experience (you should have a lot by now) and prepare a position statement that points out how your first-hand knowledge of business operations will help a prospective employer!

Given this last example, I hope that I have demonstrated again the value of learning how to position your age as an asset or strength and not as a weakness!

Use Industry Contacts To Your Advantage

Here is another reason why your age can be an asset and not a liability.

Using a SWOT Analysis, you may be able to determine that you have contacts in the industry who can help you get a computer programming job!

This is a reasonable expectation because you probably know more people than a younger computer programmer based on the fact that you’ve worked in more places, been in contact with more people or been around longer :-)

What you need to do, is to learn how to leverage your contacts and existing relationships towards getting a full-time computer programming job, a contract computer programming job or a freelance computer programming job!

How Do You Become A Computer Programmer?

You become a computer programmer by enrolling at the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

The software developers boot camp is an Online, Video Based, Web Based, Instructor Led, Beginner to Advanced Software Developer Training

After you complete your computer programmers training you will get assistance towards pursuing a full-time contract programmer career or a freelance computer programmer career depending on what your SWOT Analysis tells us.

Don’t Worry about this because we will assist you at every stage of your new computer programmer career.

Finally, I will also advise you to register for the SQL Boot Camp because SQL skills are usually required in software developer positions. You should register for both the SQL Boot Camp and the Software Developers Boot Camp at the same time to get the best results.

So, register here for the SQL BOOT CAMP and also register here for the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

This post answers a question posted by a reader on “how to become a computer programmer! If you have any Question about your career, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/22/it-is-never-too-late-to-become-a-computer-programmer/feed/ 2 About The 2012 Software Developer Internship Opportunity http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/04/28/the-software-developer-internship-opportunity/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/04/28/the-software-developer-internship-opportunity/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:48:32 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1430

The Software Developers Internship Coaching Opportunity

The Software Developers Internship Coaching Opportunity

About The 2012 Software Developer Internship Opportunity!

Computer programming is one of those few careers that offers you the option to either freelance, get a full-time job or become an independent consultant even when you are really just a beginner!

As a freelance software developer, you may live in the United States, India, UK, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or any country and work for clients located anywhere on the planet!

There are several specializations available to software developers including Mobile Application Development, Desktop Programming and Web Programming.

As a web developer, you can find a lot of work as long as you have a computer, an internet connection and marketable web development skills.

An online employment job report, finds that while the US economy was struggling to add jobs, the online employment market was experiencing a surge in demand for all types of Information Technology professionals … especially computer programmers.

Note that the freelance software developer job market is weighed in favor of computer programmers with either LAMP Programming Skills: PHP, MySQL, WordPress), .NET Framework Programming Skills: ASP.NET, CSharp (C#), Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET), SQL Server Skills or User Interface Programming Skills: HTML, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery.

The good news is that you don’t need to learn all these programming skills because a software development project will typically only require one type of skillset, either LAMP (PHP, MYSQL, WordPress) or Microsoft .NET Framework (ASP.NET, CSharp (C#) or VB.NET and SQL Server).

How To Become A Full Time Software Developer

Full-time Software Developers may be either independent software development consultants or permanent, full-time programming employees.

As an independent software development consultant, you are employed and paid by staffing agencies to work for multiple employers, one employer at a time.

As a full time software developer you will work for or be paid directly by an employer and not by a staffing agency.

Note that the corporate, full-time or independent software developer employment market is weighed in favor of computer programmers with web development skills in ASP.NET, SQL Server, C# or VB.NET and .NET Framework.

Independent software developers earn a lot more than full-time computer programmers. Here in the US, that difference can be anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 or more!

On the other hand, full-time computer programmers have more stability or security in their careers and are also under less pressure to perform or gain cutting-edge computer programming skills.

The primary difference between freelance web developers and full-time (independent consultants or permanent employees) is that while freelance web developers can work from home, their hourly billing rate is lower and also, they have to work much harder at marketing their skills.

The 2012 Software Developer Internship Opportunity

You understand that every career path in Information Technology (IT) requires handson experience?

The main function of the Software Developer Internship Program is to provide you with software development projects where you can gain practical, real-world, cutting-edge programming exposure or hands-on experience in web development … which is where most of the hiring is taking place right now.

The hands-on project experience can then be used as a stepping stone to a freelance web developer job, an independent software consultant job or a permanent programming job depending on your preferences.

However, you will need to learn either WordPress, PHP, MySQL or ASP.NET, C#, SQL Server before you can participate in the The Software Developer Internship Program because you won’t be to perform the assignments handed to you without requisite, prior training … which makes sense right?

With this in mind, you need to enroll in Software Developer Boot Camp before you are allowed to enroll in the Software Developer Internship Program!

Enrolling In The Software Developer Boot Camp

The Software Developer Boot Camp is where you get the complete, beginner to advanced online training needed to learn ASP.NET, C# and SQL Server Web Development.

The Software Developer Internship Program is reserved solely for gaining hands-on, web development experience after which you can then turn into a full-fledged freelance, independent or permanent web developer.

However, in the Software Developer Internship program, we won’t be training or coaching you on software development because we assume that you are already fully trained and ready to code … does that make sense?

The Software Developer Internship Program is designed to be a 12 to 24 weeks online coaching event where you are assigned about one or two major web development projects that utilize marketable, cutting-edge web development skills.

In the Software Developer Boot Camp you are trained using a suite of software developer practice tests or quizzes which improves your retention, comprehension or recall.

These practice tests are designed to help you ace your job interview for full-time employers or freelance consulting clients.

During the Software Developer Boot Camp, you are also given access to our private coaching module and video-based training, so that all the assistance you need is available once you’re enrolled.

Keep in mind, that the software developer boot camp is also designed to take you from beginner or intermediate programming skills to full-fledged software development skills unlike some of the other courses you may be looking at … which are only good for people who want to learn the basics of computer programming and then tutor themselves the rest of the way!

I would also advise you to ignore those distracting, counter-productive arguments over whether VB.NET is better than C# .

See, if you learn C# really well, you can pick up VB.NET by yourself with no more than a month of extra study and just so you know, we are focusing on C# in the Software Developer Boot Camp.

And as you want to hire us as your career coach, please ignore those endless debates oon the marketability of Java, C/C++, Ruby, Python or Cobol programming languages … click here to read my reviews on why some programming languages may be bad for your career.

However, if you already love programming in Java, C/C+, Cobol, Python, Perl, Ruby, learning C#, ASP.NET and Sql Server cannot hurt your career.

On the contrary, it can help you earn more money, make you even more marketable and secure your career in today’s user-interface web-based world … do you get my point :-)

Only One (1) Pre-Requisite for the Software Developer Boot Camp

Note: If you are interested in becoming a software developer, we require that you enroll in both the the SQL Boot Camp and the Software Developer Boot Camp and take both of these online training programs at the same time!

This requirement was instituted because web development jobs also require strong database development and sql query writing skills since most web applications are database driven.

Software Developer Boot Camp Discounts Ends – Friday, February 3, 2012

Currently, we have a promotion for the Software Developer Boot Camp that ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, February 3, 2012 (CST).

This week, we have a promotion that allows you to enroll in the Software Developer Boot Camp for $1125 and receive an enrollment in both the Sql Boot Camp ($499 value) and the Software Developer Internship Program ($1000).

Click Here to Enroll Now in The Software Developer Boot Camp and you will also receive both the Sql Boot Camp Online Training and the Software Developer Internship Coaching Program FREE (a $1375 discount) … this offer is only valid until 11:59 PM on Friday, February 3, 2012 (CST).

Finally, don’t wait until the last minute because if you miss out, you may not see this opportunity again this year!

Thanks and Best Wishes


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/04/28/the-software-developer-internship-opportunity/feed/ 1 How To Get Computer Programming Experience http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/21/how-to-get-computer-programming-experience/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/21/how-to-get-computer-programming-experience/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:00:34 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=555

Be Wise ... Get Experience

Be Wise ... Get Experience

In the computer programming industry, experience is King.

Real world, hands on, practical programming experience is valued more than computer programming certifications, software development diplomas or even programming job titles.

What you know is much more important than how you obtained the knowledge!

The next time you read a computer programming job description and you feel overwhelmed by the list of degrees or certifications required, just remember that the job market for computer programmers is not really that formal.

How To Get Computer Programming Job Experience

Now, you know that raw, hands on computer programming experience is valued above programming degrees, job titles or programming certifications, here are tips on how to increase your programming experience.

  • Open Source Projects

    there are various open source projects that you can join and contribute code to. Before you join an open source project, take some time to learn the code, use the application, get to know the team members and become familiar with the code review or code commit processes.

  • Non Profits

    you may get programming experience by helping a non-profit organization that needs with building a database, a website or a software application.

    Be sure to let the non-profit organization know that you are doing the job to get more programming experience.

    You need to be truthful and upfront about your level of expertise or you may run into problems by taking on more than you can handle.

    When you committee to working for a non-profit organization, you may be required to work at the pace of other senior, more experienced team members.

    Also, the non-profit may be racing towards meeting some important deadlines.

    So, even if you are offering free help, the non-profit organization needs to understand that you may introduce additional delays to the timetable.

    If this is not acceptable then you and the non-profit organization are not a good match.

  • Personal Use Software Applications

    You may get computer programming experience by building a software application that provides some services or benefit to you.

    For example, an employee I managed built a price watching software applications in his spare time.

    The application was a web crawler that would go to specific websites and monitor the bids and prices of products he was interested in.

    You can get some really cool programming experience that way because you are your own customer, you are not going to stress yourself over deadlines and you understand the needs you are trying to meet.

    The downside is that software development managers do not rank this type of programming experience as high as that gained by working for non-profit organizations or open source projects

  • Professional Computer Programming Experience

    You may get computer programming experience from a professional software development organization.

    This involves having a software development company assign programming projects to you, review your code and mentor, coach or train you on your weak spots.

    This method is preferred because hiring managers value programming experience derived from professional mentors above those from self study or non profits or other sources of programming experience.

    The reason is that a professional software developer can critique your code or database design while you or a non-profit may not review or critique your own code.

How to get professional software development experience

The Software Developer Boot Camp provides you with professional software development experience.

You are given hands on, practical, real world projects to work on.

Your computer programming code or database design assignments are reviewed by course instructors and you are given feedback that helps you correct your weak spots.

You are assigned additional projects as you progress along the course and as you complete your training, you build up your portfolio and programming experience.

What Next After Getting Programming Experience?

If you don’t already have a programming job, you need to make the best efforts towards putting together a professional computer programmer resume, sending out your resume to hiring managers and preparing rigorously for your technical interviews.

If you gain relevant, real world programming experience, prepare a resume that highlights your programming experience and contact a lot of hiring managers, you will secure technical programming interviews.

All you need to at the technical interview is to put your best foot forward and get the job you want!

The Demand For Computer Programmers In A Recession

The demand for software development professionals is high inspite of the state of the economy.

I receive unsolicited job postings for SQL programmers, business analysts or computer programmers all the time.

Remember that computer programming skills are still in-demand even with the state of the job market.

So make sure you do not hesitate to improve your real world, hands on, computer programming experience.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/21/how-to-get-computer-programming-experience/feed/ 3 How To Become A Rockstar In Your Industry http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/15/how-to-become-a-rockstar-in-your-industry/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/15/how-to-become-a-rockstar-in-your-industry/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:57 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=498

How To Become A Rockstar In Your Industry

How To Become A Rockstar in Your Industry

Top performers, rockstars or successful professionals have a mindset or a way of thinking.

They practice a code or follow a set of principles that helps them achieve the best results in their industry.

Read the rest of this post to learn more about their philosophy and other actionable strategies for becoming the best at what you do.

Always Be Learning

According to the Japanese Kaizen philosophy, consistence and commitment to studying, getting more information or improving your skills is better than sudden bursts of efforts.

So become a lifelong learner and not someone who learns solely to get a job or or achieve some other short term professional goal.

Read this post titled: “Always Be Learning”.

Become An Expert In Your Industry

Acquiring knowledge is not enough. You must strive to become the best that you can be by sharpening your skills.

Improve your skills or become an expert by using practice tests to remember, learn more effectively or understand new material.

Keep taking practice tests until you become highly skilled and then gain a lot of handson experience by solving the problems or challenges facing others in your industry.

Remember that you can get experience outside the boundaries of an 8 to 5 job and note that becoming an expert does not mean that you know everything or that you have become the smartest person!

Read this post on How To Become A Technical Expert.

Become Inspired

There are skills or attitudes that can’t be passed along to you except by working with more experienced professionals.

So go find a mentor or coach who believes in you and is willing or able to work with you one-on-one towards your professional goals.

Make a habit of reading the blog posts or books of written by those that inspire you.

Read this post on How To Become Inspired.

Read Professional Books In Your Industry

Audio coaching is good and Video training is even better but books are still the most universal and widely accepted format for passing information across.

So, supplement all your video training with some good, old-fashioned textbooks!

Though many technical textbooks are boring or hard to understand, they are an indispensable part of your career development.

And do not hesitate to spend a lot of money on professional textbooks because the best investment that you can make is in yourself.

A long time ago, I formed a habit of spending Saturday evenings in Borders or Barnes & Noble Bookshop. While my kids are playing, I would survey or read the latest books in my industry and buy those that presented new or interesting information.

I would spend as much as 200 hundred dollars in one visit and I reckon that I made back the investment by getting top paying jobs usually offered to those that stay ahead of developments in their industry!

Read this post titled: How To Self Study Effectively.

Stay Ahead of Developments In Your Industry

Don’t bury your head in the daily grind of your 8 to 5 existence and become extinct like the Dodo!

The world around you and your industry is constantly changing, so you have to change too!

Be the first to learn new skills, processes, technology or tools and you will never lack a dull moment in your career!

Read this post on How To Stay Ahead of the Technology Curve.

Experience Is King!

In the Information Technology (IT) world, hands-on experience is King!

Experience counts more than certifications or college diplomas and degrees because experience is the currency of the Industry.

Experience matters because hiring managers are of the mindset that your past performance on previous jobs is the best predictor of your future performance (if hired for the job).

So, trying to convince a hiring manager of your suitability for a job without providing the experience to back it up is doing things backwards.

Give hiring managers what they want by getting handson experience with your current employer or building experience outside your 9 to 5 existence through working on leadership projects.

Read this post on How To Get Handson Experience At Your Current Employer.

Connect With Other Professionals on Social Media

Don’t look inwards until you implode into nothingness … Network with other professionals online!

There are tools like LinkedIn, Twitter or FaceBook that make it easy for you to create completely new relationships with total strangers, so get to know other people!

The success of LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook proves that we are transitioning to a world where new jobs, opportunities or clients will be increasingly referred to us by our Social Media Network.

You may start by connecting with me on Twitter.

Success Comes By Helping Others

You will never know a skill like you should, until you teach it to someone else.

The questions that you have to answer and the extra research you do to be sure of your facts, will in the end help you as much as it helps the person you are mentoring.

Besides, when you help others, some of the them will reciprocate by referring opportunities that you won’t have gotten by keeping your knowledge to yourself!

Becoming a leader by helping others improves your standing, value or reputation in an increasingly networked online community as a leader which means that you will find it easier to get full-time jobs or consulting offers.

Read this post On How To Become A Leader In Your Industry.

Work On Projects Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Accept responsibilities, projects or tasks that stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

There is really no safety in the comfort zone because that is not how life works.

Cultivate a mind that is willing to try new ways of doing things and you will never have to be afraid of the unknown!

In your Quest For Knowledge, Get Certified

Get some professional certifications. The process of getting a certification will improve your skills and stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

It will also ground you in the facts you need to know for your job. However don’t be like those who desire to get certified so much that … they are willing to cheat their way to through.

The true goal of certification is to make you a smarter, better, more knowledgeable person, so if you cheat your way to a certification, you have gained nothing!

In your Quest for Knowledge, Take Practice Tests

Use practice tests to boost your skills or get to your knowledge to expert level quickly.

Repetition in training is the key to skill mastery. So, to master any new skill just repeat the same set of tasks multiple times until it sinks in and becomes second nature to you!

And guess what? That is the same conclusion reached by “Daniel Coyle in Talent Code” and “Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers” in their ground-breaking, best-selling books!

These authors discovered that the top performers in any industry put in hours of practice into sharpening their skills and that constant skill-sharpening, passionate practice is essential for world class performance.

Read this post On How To Boost Your Skills Using Practice Tests.

Do it NOW!

The real purpose of knowledge is action.So take a pen and write down on paper, actions that you will take based on the information I have given you in this post.

Then, DO IT NOW!

I wish you the best in your career.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/15/how-to-become-a-rockstar-in-your-industry/feed/ 0 How To Keep Your Job In A Recession http://www.it-career-coach.net/2008/12/10/how-to-keep-your-job-in-a-recession/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2008/12/10/how-to-keep-your-job-in-a-recession/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:41:03 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2008/12/10/how-to-keep-your-job-in-a-recession/

Laid Of In The Recession

No doubt you already know how the recession affects the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Unemployment Rate or Stock Market. So, I won’t waste your time by repeating all that bad news.

What I would talk about is what really matters:”how you or your loved ones can protect your finances by staying employed in this recession!“

The best way to keep your job in a recession or to find a new job easily is to become “The Most Over Qualified, Under Paid Professional” on your team.

Here is why becoming over-qualified and under-paid work hand in hand to protect your career:

  1. The Least Qualified Professionals Are Laid-Off In A Recession:The employees at risk of being down-sized are the least valuable professionals (business analysts, software developers, etc.) on the team.

    The least valuable professionals are the least effective, productive, skilled, trained or experienced people on their jobs.

  2. The Most Over Paid Professionals Are Laid-Off In A Recession:The other type of employee at risk of being down-sized are the over paid software development professionals (project managers, web designers etc.).

    The over paid information technology (IT) professionals typically earn far above their contemporaries with the same skill sets or far above the historical costs associated with a position in a specific business. Firing over paid workers qualifies as cost savings for managers concerned about cutting payroll costs in a recession.

  3. The Better Qualified, Least Paid Employees Keep Their Jobs In A Recession:

    The employees who keep their jobs or get hired easily in a recession … are the better trained, highly skilled and relatively inexpensive employees.The employees who advance their skills though hard work and training without always asking for more money … tend to stay employed even during recessions.

The Secret To Staying Employed Even In A Recession

The best way to stay employed especially in a recession … is by training to “become the best skilled person … and not the best paid!”

You need to cultivate the attitude of champions … “who train daily to be the best!“.Champions do not obsess about money! Champions understand that … proving their mettle is the only thing that really matters!

Champions are rich, famous and successful … because they ignored the pursuit of money … to become the best

So, will you accept this challenge: “to recession proof your career” … by training to become the best or are you going to leave your career at the mercy of the coming financial storm?

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