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The Secret to Success in a Nutshell

The Secret to Success in a Nutshell

The Secret To Success In A Nutshell

The Secret To Success In A Nutshell

As a career coach, I receive lots of emails (from business analysts, computer programmers, project managers, software testers, etc.) about how to be successful.

Here is the answer in a nutshell: Knowledge + Skills + Experience = Career Success!

Applied Knowledge

The key to getting results is deep, skill building, career-focused learning.

For example, if you read about “how twitter can help you get a job“, go to Twitter.com right away, create an account and start posting tweets on your area of interest.

Which Software Development Life Cycle Is Best?

Which Software Development Life Cycle Is Best?

Your Guide To Software Development Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, SDLC, Extreme ...)

Your Guide To Software Development Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, SDLC, Extreme ...)

Models like Agile, Extreme Programming, Scrum or Waterfall are used by project managers, business analysts, software developers or quality assurance analysts to describe how a project is managed or a software product is built.

The software development life cycle determines how risks are managed, business requirements documented, resources estimated and allocated, stakeholder expectations or customer feedback is managed and when software / quality assurance testing is performed.

Each software development model recommends a set of guidelines or best practices for developing software.

Can Certifications Take the Place of Experience?

Can Certifications Take the Place of Experience?
Certifications Or Experience Which Is Better?

Certifications Or Experience Which Is Better?

I have been in business development / sales side of the Financial Services Industry for the past 15 years.

I have worked as a VP for several Fortune 500 companies.

Due to the market downturn and layoffs, I find myself looking to other industries for stability.

I want to get into Software / Network Sales and wanted to know what is the best way for me to break into the Information Technology industry

Should I get A+ certified, get a masters in I.T.?

Oracle Or Microsoft Access, Which Is Better?

Oracle Or Microsoft Access, Which Is Better?
Oracle Or Microsoft Access, Which Is Better For Me?

Oracle Or Microsoft Access, Which Is Better For Me?

Are you matching your strengths to your opportunities or are you just being ideological … interested only in following your own ideas even when they won’t get you any results?

Here is a situation that illustrates the challenges of being ideological versus being results oriented. It is a situation that illustrates the challenges of learning an enterprise software like Oracle compared to a poor man’s database like Microsoft Access.

Are you wondering about who this situation involves? You are safe my friend because today, I will mainly be talking about me :-)

What Is the Toughest Challenge Facing your Career?

What Is the Toughest Challenge Facing your Career?

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

Compliments of the Season and Merry Christmas To You. What is the toughest challenge facing your career right now?

Post a detailed question regarding your challenges right now, and I will help you take care of them, once and for all!

How To Discover Your Passion?

Perhaps, your toughest challenge is …

  • How to choose the right career or
  • How to make a career change or
  • How to get an entry level job that is inline with your career goals

Is An MBA Required For Business Analyst Jobs?

Is An MBA Required For Business Analyst Jobs?

MBA - Laid Off and Looking For Work!

MBA - Laid Off and Looking For Work!

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

This question was submitted by a reader who would like to know: “If An MBA Is Required For Business Analyst Jobs“.

Here Is The Question on Educational Requirements for Business Analyst Jobs:

… I will be working for one year then I have plans to go for a one year MBA program.

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball, Throw it Back!

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball, Throw it Back!

Life Throws A Curve Ball,  Then What?

Life Throws A Curve Ball, Then What?


Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans – John Lennon

The truth is that work is a lifetime constant. It’s a marathon and not a sprint, so along the way you may start getting tired or even feel like quitting!

If that describes you or if you have ever felt like that … don’t give up hope because help is much closer than you think.

And here is why. Today I will be dealing with a pressing problem that is facing many of you, which is: How to you keep your career from stalling when life happens.

FREE Coaching on How To Make A Career Change

FREE Coaching on How To Make A Career Change

Coaching on How To Change your Career

Coaching on How To Change your Career


Some of you have been asking about “how to choose the right career” or “how you can make a career change“.

You are searching for specific, practical step by step instructions for transitioning or making career changes.

The answer to this question is important to you because you spend the majority of your waking time at work.

So you understand that this question determines how happy or successful you will be for several years or until your next career change :-)

How To Transition Into A New Career

How To Transition Into A New Career
Career Advice - Ask IT Career Coach

Career Advice - Ask IT Career Coach

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

This post answers the question of “how to transition into a new career“.

If you are making a career change and you don’t know how to effectively transition into another field, follow these simple steps to transition your career.

  1. Do what you love

    Discover what sort of career you will be passionate about before making a transition.

    Yo may transition because of a bigger salary, market demand, job security or interest level.

    Transitioning because of interest level or passion is the best reason.

Career Tip for Senior Business Analysts: Become The Lead Business Analyst!

Career Tip for Senior Business Analysts: Become The Lead Business Analyst!

Career Tip For Senior BAs: Become The Lead BA

Career Tip For Senior BAs: Become The Lead BA

This post answers questions received from senior business analysts asking about how to carve out an upwardly mobile career path in their company or organization.

The answers in this post are presented as tips, solutions or ideas for business analysts looking towards a better career path.

If you have a question about your business analyst career, be sure to post it as a comment on this post and I will be glad to answer it for you.

Here are the tips for business analysts looking for a better career path:

How To Handle Recruiter’s Phone Calls?

How To Handle Recruiter’s Phone Calls?

How To Handle Recruiters Phone Calls

How To Handle Recruiters Phone Calls

Recruiters are the gatekeepers for business analyst jobs.

They are in touch with more employers, consulting or full-time engagements than most business analysts.

This post answers the question of how to handle or deal with recruiters calling about business analyst jobs.

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

If you enjoy reading this post, please be sure to … Share this Post with Friends

What Does It Take To Learn Business Analysis?

What Does It Take To Learn Business Analysis?

Highly Paid Business Analyst

Highly Paid Business Analyst

You are reading this post because you are interested in learning or mastering business analysis for a number of reasons like

  • You may have read the US Bureau of Statistics report which predicts that the business analyst role will be one of the fastest growing occupations through 2012

  • You are a computer programmer or software tester who is getting burned out on the monotony of coding or testing

  • You may be interested in learning business analyst because you will gain more visibility by interacting with users and managers

The Database Administrator (DBA) Job Description

The Database Administrator (DBA) Job Description

Database Administrator (DBA)'s Job Description

Database Administrator (DBA)'s Job Description

In this issue, I will be answering a question submitted by a reader on “The Roles, Responsibilities or Job Description of Database Administrators (DBAs)“.

You can Ask IT Career Coach your toughest or most pressing questions and I will answer it fully just as I am answering this reader’s question below!

If you enjoy reading this post, please be sure to … Share this Post with Friends

Here is the reader’s question::

About The Database Administrator’s (DBA) Job Description

I am a final year BE student interested in developing a career in DBA

Are You Inspired Enough?

Are You Inspired Enough?

how to make friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie

How To Win Friends And Influence People

This is a real-life story taking from events in my life. Please read and share it with your friends

I stumbled upon “Think And Grow Rich” on my 17th birthday.

Shortly after reading Napoleon Hill’s classic, I also read “You Can If You Think You Can by Norman Vincent Peale” and got hooked on self help / motivational books.

A few years later, I read a really good book in that genre … “Awaken The Giant Within By Tony Robbins“.

What Career Is Right For Me?

What Career Is Right For Me?

Choose The Right Career

Choose Right!


If you are looking to start a new information technology career, you may be wondering about how to choose the right career.

This post helps you answer that question.

After reading this post, feel free to ask a question or discuss the topic by posting your opinion or comments.

  1. What do you love to do? start off by reviewing all the productive things that you love to do and then compile a list of careers from them.

    For example, if you like repairing electronic hardware, you may consider becoming a hardware or network support specialist or if you like writing, you may consider becoming a technical writer or a business analyst.

  2. What do you have some background or experience in?: review your previous working experience or background for skills that you ca re-use in a new IT careers.

    For example, if you have a background in marketing and sales, you may consider becoming a technical recruiter and if you have a background in programming electrical circuits you may consider going into computer programming.

#3 Success Principle: When It Comes To Experience, Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

#3 Success Principle: When It Comes To Experience, Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

Beggars Can't Be Choosers

Beggars Can't Be Choosers

One of the bigger issues facing IT professionals is: “the challenge of building experience“.

This challenge exists because employers still require experience for hiring, even when you need their jobs to build experience!

It’s the classic Catch-22: “chicken or egg which came first challenge” that may be solved through internships or full-time jobs.

However, internships are getting increasingly competitive (Read More …) and employers are still insisting on handson experience before making job offers.

Why Internships Are Hard To Get

For a while, internships helped provide the missing handson experience to IT professionals learning new skills or transitioning careers.

#2 Success Principle: Learn How To Self Study Effectively

#2 Success Principle: Learn How To Self Study Effectively

Jack Reacher Gone Tomorrow

Jack Reacher

This series is devoted to the principles required for success in Information Technology (IT) careers.

Technology is always changing so IT professionals have to stay ahead of the technology curve or risk losing their jobs or careers!
So you have to constantly update your skills through self study, coaching or training.

This post discusses how you can stay ahead of the technology curve using self study.

Contrary to what you may think, self study requires a considerable investment of time, money and effort.

Harvard Business Review: How To Get A Job Without Experience

Harvard Business Review: How To Get A Job Without Experience

Finding Jobs for College Graduates

Jobs for College Graduates

Whether you’re launching your career or trying to change its direction, you can get around the Catch-22 issue (“You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job.”) with humility.

The solution is to get some humility because today’s shifting job market requires everyone incuding young job seekers and older workers with years of experience to continously reinvent their careers in order to stay marketable in a competitive global economy.

The lesson is that careers, skills and workplace environments will continute to transition and there is nothing we can do about that because what is marketable and in-demand today may not be wanted tomorrow.

#1 Success Principle: How Lack of Education Affects your Career

#1 Success Principle: How Lack of Education Affects your Career

Is Education Affecting My Career?

Is Education A Problem?

This series is devoted to those who want to learn the principles required for success in Information Technology (IT) Careers.

While the IT Industry is a goldmine for those who have learnt to navigate it, it is a maze for others trapped by myths, half-truths, outright lies and misconceptions.

Not to worry, in this series, I will uncover the myths and presents the principles required for success in every situation.

Get a Job Regardless of your Educational Qualifications

So, one principle is this: don’t let your formal education or the lack of it, stop you from pursuing your dream IT career.

Discover Your Inner Hero

Discover Your Inner Hero

Become your Hero

Become your Hero

Randall Jones, founder of Worth Magazine and author of The Richest Man in Town, says that in regard to Personal Branding, “the most successful, wealthy people had very successfully branded themselves in relation their industry”.

In an interview by Dan Schwabel, Randall says that all RMITs (Richest Man In Town) have found their “perfect pitch”- the thing that they are most personally gifted at doing and secondarily they have found a way to monetize their perfect pitches“; Click here to read the rest of the interview

Free E-Book On How To Stay Ahead of the Technology Curve

Free E-Book On How To Stay Ahead of the Technology Curve
Stay Ahead of the Curve!

Stay Ahead of the Curve!

Have you ever wondered how some people stay ahead of rapidly changing technologies while others seem to let their skills become extinct like the Dodo?

Well, apparently, someone in Dubai, U.A.E. wants to know the answer so badly that he sent in his question by postal mail!

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!

Discover Answers to Your Career’s Toughest Questions!

Discover Answers to Your Career’s Toughest Questions!
IT Career Coach

Get Career Help

Hi,

If you need help on a pressing or challenging issue, you’ve come to the right place!

You may get my help by posting the toughest questions facing your career at the moment!

I will answer your questions and help you just as I’ve answered and helped others.

  1. Your questions may be about how to get a job in a tough and competitive job market!

  2. Perhaps your question is about how to earn some income or pay bills without a regular, full-time or nine-to-five job!

Do Business Analysts Need Computer Programmer Skills?

Do Business Analysts Need Computer Programmer Skills?

Business Analysts Learn Computer Programming

Business Analysts Learn Computer Programming

Are database development, computer programming, data analysis or web development required skills for Business Analysts?

Perhaps you’ve seen, heard about or applied for jobs asking for a broad or seemingly impossible range of skill sets?

Like those job descriptions for business analysts requiring computer programming skills or those for PMP Certified Project Managers with 5 years of software development experience!

This post addresses “how to bridge the gap between business analyst skills and unfair job descriptions written-up by Information Technology (IT) departments”

Develop Your Personal Brand And Become a Leader!

Develop Your Personal Brand And Become a Leader!
Develop Your Personal Brand - Become A Leader

Develop Your Personal Brand - Become A Leader

Develop Your Personal Brand And Become a Leader

This course teaches you how to develop and use your competitive advantages in the workplace, job market and industry using the PULL method.

You will learn how to become a leader in your industry by developing and taking advantage of your personal brand using PULL techniques.

By the end of this course, you will have learnt how to select the best leadership projects for your industry based on your background, skills, education, training, job history and interests.

Did I Mess Up My Career?

Did I Mess Up My Career?
Ask IT Career Coach

Ask IT Career Coach

Po Bronson, author of “What Should I Do with My Life?” listened to more than 900 people who dared to be honest with themselves about their line of work or careers!

In the end, he discovered that it comes down to a simple gut check: “You either love what you do or you don’t.

With that in mind, here’s question posted by a reader who needs advice on “what to do about making wrong career choices”.

Become a Leader And Get The Job You Want!

Become a Leader And Get The Job You Want!

become a leader get the job you want

Become A Leader-Get The Job You Want!


Become a Leader And Get The Job You Want!

Getting a job by sending out resumes to employers is known as the push method because it depends on you pushing the employer to hire you!

The problem with the traditional method of getting a job is that everyone who is out-of-a-job is probably doing the same thing … pushing their resumes to hiring managers or employers!

Getting hired in a competitive job market doesn’t mean … “do what other job applicants are doing” … it means “do more than your competition!

Did I Mess Up My Career?

Did I Mess Up My Career?
Ask IT Career Coach

Ask IT Career Coach

This question was posted by a reader who needs advice on “what to do about making wrong career choices”.

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.

How Do I Overcome Employment Gaps In My Oracle Programming Career?

How Do I Overcome Employment Gaps In My Oracle Programming Career?
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!

Why Can’t I Find A Job?

Why Can’t I Find A Job?

Beat the Recession

Beat the Recession

You’ve got a college degree, a good looking resume and an impressive listing of Information Technology (IT) skills but can’t seem to find an IT job.

Finding a Job doesn’t have to be a traumatic, nerve racking or frustrating experience filled with rejection, fear and pain!

Just follow this article series to find out what’s wrong or get back in control of YOUR job search.

How To Become a Microsoft .NET Software Developer

How To Become a Microsoft .NET Software Developer
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.

Discover Your Strengths Like Michael Jackson

Discover Your Strengths Like Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, King of Pop. August 29, 1958 to June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson, King of Pop. August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson discovered his musical strengths early in his career, developed into a musical genius and then dedicated his life to serving humanity with music.

What we know about legends or superstars like Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson is that they are the best at what they do.

But the reason why we love the Michaels’ (Phelps, Jordan, Jackson) is: “we are just like them way down or deep inside of us”!

It Is Never Too Late To Become A Computer Programmer!

It Is Never Too Late To Become A Computer Programmer!
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

Your Opinion Counts – What Makes A Good Data Analyst?

Your Opinion Counts – What Makes A Good Data Analyst?
Ask a Burning Question

Ask a Burning Question

In reply to a question by a Statistician transitioning to a data analyst career, I posted the article Are Statistics Or SQL Skills Required In Data Analyst Careers?

My reply also included a Skills Gap Analysis for Statisticians or Mathematicians who want to become data analysts.

I got a comment from another Mathematician / Statistician which I have posted below.

Let me know if you have a comment or opinion or feedback on this issue … here is my reader’s comment:

Jonathan’s Opinion:

I just read through the article entitled ARE STATISTICS OR SQL SKILLS REQUIRED IN DATA ANALYST CAREERS?

Free Soft Skills Training for Computer Programmers

Free Soft Skills Training for Computer Programmers
Ask a Burning Question

Ask a Burning Question

This post answers a question about how to improve soft skills (communication, leadership, time management, presentation, team skills) for a Database Developer.

If you have a Burning Question or a Challenge that you need help with, be sure to ask your question as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering the question below!

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

Can You Perform? Prove It!

Can You Perform? Prove It!

Can You Perform? Prove It!

Can You Perform? Prove It!


To become a medical doctor or a lawyer you need training, internship and finally you get a license or certification to practice.

However, there is no such path to starting an IT Career! There is no legally binding qualification or certification for becoming a computer programmer or a business analyst or a data analyst or a database developer!

The path to becoming an IT professional is littered with myths and misconceptions because the emphasis is really on you to prove that you are as good as you say you are!

Is a College Degree Required For a Career in Computer Programming?

Is a College Degree Required For a Career in Computer Programming?
Ask a Burning Question

Ask a Burning Question

This post answers a reader’s question about the educational requirements for becoming a computer programmer.

If you have a Burning Question or a Challenge that you need help with, be sure to ask your question as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering the question below!

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

What Is The Challenge Facing Your Career?

What Is The Challenge Facing Your Career?
Ask a Burning Question

Ask a Burning Question

Dear Friend,

What is the “Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career Right Now“?

Your toughest challenge may be about how to get a business analyst job or how to improve your computer programming skills or how to become a database developer

Perhaps your challenge is about how to move out of a dead-endbusiness analyst or computer programming or database developer career. Whatever they are, go ahead and ask your question and I will answer it for you.

About The 2012 Software Developer Internship Opportunity

About The 2012 Software Developer Internship Opportunity
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.

How To Gain Cutting-Edge IT Skills Easily

How To Gain Cutting-Edge IT Skills Easily
Top Paying Skills in High Demand

Top Paying Skills in High Demand

Read How to Protect Your IT Career or Gain In-Demand IT Skills or Critical Hands-ON Experience Sought After By IT Managers …

    1. You Can Enroll for IT Training Easily

      • You can enroll for training at anytime because our training is provided online through videos, a web based training software and live course instructors who help you gain critical hands-on project experience
    2. Our Training Software Helps You Manage Your Study Time

      • You can enroll for one or more training programs at the same time because our web-based training software manages, schedules or keeps tracks of your progress on each training course

What Software Skills Do Business Analysts Need?

What Software Skills Do Business Analysts Need?

Have you noticed the increasing demand for business analysts with stronger software skills or a wider range of skill sets?

Because this is a top hiring trend, business analysts have expressed concern about the range of skillsets requested for on job postings.

Some of these strong concerns are often worded as:

  • What software skills do business analysts need?

  • Should business analysts be made to learn computer programming?

  • Which software programs are required for business analysis jobs?

Along the same lines, one of the concerns expressed is; should business analysts have in depth knowledge of SQL, Access, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and Reporting writing software?

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