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!
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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!
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.
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.
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”!
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
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?
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 …
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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
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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
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:
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What software skills do business analysts need?
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Should business analysts be made to learn computer programming?
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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?
As hiring managers are cutting costs and reducing staff size they are also hiring hiring professionals with a broader range of skills
As workers are laid off, the lucky ones left behind are asked to work longer hours or work on a broader range of tasks
IT Managers are now hiring for a broader range of skill sets. Business Analysts are being asked to perform light programming jobs and software developers are being asked to perform light business analysis tasks
How To Achieve In Your Career
I am dedicating this article to answering a question posted by an independent contract business analyst. If you have a question or challenge about your business analyst career, post it as comment at the end of this article and I will answer it for you:
Here is the question posed by the independent contract or consulting business analyst:
… I got hired by a consulting firm. I was under the impression that I was with a company with a team-oriented environment. By this I mean that I thought I would be working with project teams etc.
Do You Want To Become A Contract Business Analyst?
I am writing this post to answer a question posted by a business analyst on “How To Become A Contract Business Analyst”.
If you have a question or challenge about your business analyst career, post it as comment at the end of this article and I will answer it for you as well 
Here is the question on how to become a contract business analyst.
Having recently started in my first permanent position as a Business Analyst, I find the toughest challenge for me currently, is getting up to speed with the systems I have to analyse and develop (Risk Management and Finance Systems).
On of my readers needs help with putting together his career advancement plan. I posted the information I provided to him below. If you have any question about this or about your career, post it as comment at the end of the post and I would answer it for you.
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Set a SMART Goal
Begin by creating a comprehensive end to end career roadmap or plan.
Your career roadmap needs to include a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goal) That means that you need to define an end objective (for example, mastering business analysis or learning computer programming or improving your software testing skills) and a timeline for achieving it.
How To Become A Web Programmer
The post which you are just about to read answers the question of:“what is the most compelling thing on a web programmer’s resume or how do you gain the type of resume that will make you standout in the web development industry!“
Let me begin by saying that, the key thing that hiring managers are looking for on your resume is not your programming certifications or your college degrees or computer science education but your handson web programming experience.
How To Slam Dunk Your Next Job Interview
This post is an answer to a question asked by Chris who is attending his tenth (10) job interview. You may click here to read the original question or add your own question or comment to the discussion.
The original post is a No Holds Barred Discussion on challenges, problems or issues facing my readers. If you have a Burning Question or Challenge you need help with, be sure to add your question to that page and i will answer it fully just as I am answering Tom’s question below!
This post is an answer to a question asked by Tom Moore about how To Get A Good IT Job. You may click here to read the original question or add your own question or comment to the discussion.
The original post is a No Holds Barred Discussion on challenges, problems or issues facing my readers. If you have a Burning Question or Challenge you need help with, be sure to add your question to that page and i will answer it fully just as I am answering Tom’s question below!
Hello,
What is the “Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career Right Now”?
Your challenges may be about how to get a job or how to improve your skills or how to get promoted on the job
Perhaps your challenges are about how to transition out of or into a business analyst or computer programming or database developer career. Whatever they are, go ahead and post your comment and we will deal with them for you.
Post your challenging issues as a comment on this post and I would be glad to answer it for you. I may answer it by writing a new article that addresses your concern or by posting a comprehensive reply to your comment
It’s not news anymore. We are officially in a recession and people are being laid off everywhere. At first, it looked like the IT sector was going to come through this relatively unscathed, but that is no longer the case. Microsoft, IBM and Intel all announced job cuts this week.
In 2008, the US economy shed 1.2 million jobs. 10% of those jobs were Information Technology jobs. As of December, over 100,000 IT jobs had been lost and it doesn’t look like the situation is going to get better any time soon.
NAMED A 50 BEST WEBSITE
It is official. We (IT Career Coach) has been selected as one of the best 50 career coaching or job hunting sites on the web by Online University Review.
This selection is important because with the predictions of US unemployment approaching 10% by the end of 2008, there is no more important time than now to take interest in your career prospects and professional marketability.
The 50 best job hunting sites cover interview tips, resume writing, employee workplace experiences, personal, pertinent and honest advice on very personal experiences encountered while job hunting.
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.
Learning and improving your business analysis skills is a must. Sometimes you can get so caught up in your current business analyst job that you miss the boat on new skills in the industry. Browsing and reading job descriptions can help you create a career development plan that keeps you on the leading edge of the business analysis industry.
decipher ba job descriptions
You can find out “what employers look for in a job candidate” by browsing business analyst job descriptions.
However, you will notice that some business analyst job descriptions are poorly written!
A weak business analyst job description does not provide enough information for you to compare your skill set against the requirements posted on the job posting.
A Well Written Business Analyst Job Description Is An Effective Hiring Tool!
Here is an example of a weak or ineffective business analyst job description:
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.
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:
Hey, I would like to introduce an article from a Web Designer at ITCareerCoach.
Be sure to leave your comments, feedback or questions using the comments form at the end of this post.
How to become a Web Designer
With the launch of the Internet in the 90′s and the boom of the dot-com era in the new millennium. Web Designers have had a ball with designing cool-looking sites for businesses and individuals. However, with the development of newer easy-to-use tools like Dreamweaver and Frontpage, as well as online journals and blogs like this one, some people are beginning to say that Web Design skills are no longer in demand.
I just received a question that has to do with age discrimination for a Java programmer and I would like to share it with you.
Reader Question:
I would like to find an IT Career Coach in San Diego CA.
I am a certified Java Programmer, and have an academic background in applied mathematics, but I did not work with J2EE and data bases, I would like to know what type of career is available in my age 55, what additional training is necessary.
Sincerely.
Here is my answer to this question:
Hi :
In every information technology discipline, there are people who outperform
others.
You probably know some of them; computer programmers who write better
code, faster than their colleagues or data analysts who can research and
identify trends in data faster, easier and better than their colleagues or
business analysts who are ten times as productive as their colleagues!
I have been studying top performers ever since I left high school and I am
now starting a free online study group on top performers with the goal of
identifying:
i. who are top performers?
ii. how do you become a top performer?
How To Overcome Procrastination
The Procrastination Problem
As a career coach, one of the biggest hurdles I have to overcome when working with my clients is procrastination. An example is a client that I will call Ryan. Ryan acknowledges that even though he has a degree in Information Systems, he is stuck in a dead end job in Help Desk Support.
Ryan would love a great new job as a computer programmer. I have worked with him to create a plan of action that includes updating his skill set while simultaneously putting his resume out there to see if a potential employer will nibble on it.
In this post I will discuss why some people are affluent and successful in their careers while others seem to struggle with minimum wage or low paying jobs and despite their hard work, intelligence and personality can not earn enough money to pay their bills.
The reasons why people struggle with earning enough money to pay your bills and afford some of the nicer things of life include:
- Lack of a Top Paying, In-demand, Marketable Skill
- Lack of Focus and Inability to Follow a Proven Successful Plan
Hello, my name is Kingsley Tagbo. I am an IT Career Coach living in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. I am in the business of changing the world one life at a time.
Through my blog on this website, my books and my online training courses for computer programmers and business analysts, I am making the world a better place by giving my customers the tools they need to succeed in their computer programming or business analysis careers.
Here is a testimonial I received 4 days ago from a happy, satisfied customer who experienced a life make-over after reading my book on how to become a computer programmer
I’m going to ask you a question you may not have been asked before .The question is are your skills portable?
What Is A Portable Skill?
By portable I mean can you relocate from one country to another and get a job without having to retrain yourself?
If you are living in the 21st century you’ll have heard an earful by now of the global phenomenon known as outsourcing which is the relocation of projects or work to geographic locations where the work can be done cheaper or better.
One of the reasons why you may find yourself struggling with your career is that you have too many goals. So, I’m writing this article “pick a technology and master it” to help you achieve your goals more easily.
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of choices you have to make?
Perhaps, you’re married, you have 2 kids, you have a job, your spouse has a job, you spend quality time with your family every day and you want to become a better software developer or business analyst.
Learning A Marketable Skill?
Hi,
Do you want to learn the C++ programming language or become a C/C++ computer programmer?
Have you ever asked this question? which programming language is the most complex and challenging?? and received the answer C++?
If you answered yes, you are not alone. About 13 years ago, I asked my mentors in computer programming which programming language is the hardest, toughest, most difficult to learn? and I got the same reply as you… C++.
I asked the question because I wanted to become a successful computer programmer.
How To Become A Business Analyst
ON BECOMING A BUSINESS ANALYST – THE BUSINESS ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION
A business analyst is an information technology worker who improves the efficiency and productivity of business operations.
The business analyst achieves this by closely analyzing the business processes in an organization for inefficiencies.
When inefficient business processes are discovered, the business analyst makes recommendations for business process improvements.
If the recommended solution is approved, the business analyst works with computer programmers, lead software developers, software managers and other information technology workers to implement the recommended solutions.
Who is a contract programmer?
A contract programmer is a software developer who is paid an hourly rate for working on special software development projects for a period. Contract computer programmers are not paid salaries like full-time developers but hourly wages.
Contract programmers tend to be very project focused because they are hired to solve specific problems or code specific features and as soon as that is done, they have to move on to another project or find a new client.
One of my blog readers emailed me the question below about the feasibility of changing careers to computer programming in Malaysia.
Question:
Hi,
I am 34 years old, currently working as an electronic technician and am thinking of a career change and take up programming as a career.
I am interested to know if you have come across anyone like in my situation from Malaysia who has done your course and managed to get a job as a computer programmer?
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