ITCareerCoach Training - Coaching » interview 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 Put Your Blinders On Before You Read This! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/10/01/put-your-blinders-on-before-you-read-this/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/10/01/put-your-blinders-on-before-you-read-this/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:15:11 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3309

Put Your Blinders On Before You Read This!

Put Your Blinders On Before You Read This!

Blinders are useful in potentially distracting situations because they increase one’s ability to focus.

For example, blinders are useful for removing potentially distracting or scary scenes from a horse’s vision.

By preventing the horse from seeing everything in it’s peripheral vision, the rider can better control the horse’s focus or keep it on target.

So, what does “blinders on horses have to do with job descriptions”?

As you go about reading job descriptions and applying to jobs, you may become distracted, discouraged or even depressed by the skills or experience requirements posted on these job descriptions.

The posted requirements posted may overwhelm you, cause you considerable agitation or cause you to lose hope and count yourself out before you even apply for the job!

The solution? Put your job description blinders on …

#1: Give Yourself A Gut Check:

After reading a job description, ask yourself this singular, most important question: “do I have the ability to do this job?“

If the answer to this simple gut check is a yes; go ahead and e-mail your resume, regardless of the skills you seem to be lacking based on the job description!

A lot of the confusion with job descriptions stems from the fact that they are not written by technical folks or their managers but by Human Resources (HR) professionals, recruiters and staffing agencies.

I have had to help out HR professionals and recruiters with the wordings on job descriptions because they couldn’t understand the jobs, tools or careers they were hiring for, which in turn, impaired the clarity of the job description.

Even when technical folks (business analysts, computer programmers, project managers, etc.) write job descriptions, HR folks still extract sections from these, rewrite them based on their understanding before posting the final job description!

Unfortunately, the result is pain, confusion or discouragement for the professionals reading the job description.

#2: Put Your Job Description Blinders On:

So, to read or interpret job descriptions accurately, you must learn how to put filters on sentences, phrases or even entire paragraphs that serve only to discourage or distract you!

Here are some examples of misleading or inaccurate job descriptions:

  1. When a business analyst description specifies a Use Case Modeling tool as a required skill, put your job description blinders on!

    Why?

    Well, if you really understand Use Cases, you can create the document in any reasonable tool, even if you have to learn that Use Case modeling tool on the job.

    Information technology (IT) tools are generally designed to work for their users and not against them.

    So, if you really understand Use Cases, you can learn any new Use Case modeling tool in a reasonably short time and then write Use Case with that tool.

    If you are a qualified business analyst, apply for the job and confidently explain why your knowledge / skill in Use Cases is more important than the knowledge of one Use Case modeling tool versus another.

    What the employer really needs is your ability to write Use Cases and not the knowledge of a specific Use Case tool … that has little or no business value!

  2. When a programming job description specifies Visual Studio 2005 / 2008 / 2010 as a required skill instead of a specific programming language skill (C# or VB.NET), put your programming job description blinders on!

    Why?

    For all practical purposes, if you have good C# or VB.NET programming skills, you also have Visual Studio skills.

    Don’t obsess over the lack of a Visual Studio version posted on the job description because it was probably written by a non-technical person for whom the Visual Studio version number is a big deal!

On a final note, whenever you see a potentially distracting job description, put your blinders on, write up your resume to match the job description and then go ahead email your resume!

Can you think of any distracting, misleading or inaccurate requirements you have come across while reading job descriptions?

If you have, I will be glad to hear more about it …


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/10/01/put-your-blinders-on-before-you-read-this/feed/ 0 How to Tap Into Magical Hiring Powers http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/18/how-to-tap-into-magical-hiring-powers/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/18/how-to-tap-into-magical-hiring-powers/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:28:09 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3269

Tapping Into Your Magical Hiring Powers

Tapping Into Your Magical Hiring Powers

As a Career Coach, I come across questions or discussions from job seekers “looking for recruiter who can get them a job“.

From the way these statements are worded, it seems that all it takes for the job seeker to get a job is finding a recruiter with magical hiring powers.

But, is it really true?

Do recruiters have hiring powers and how much of the success or failure of the job search depends on the recruiter’s magical hiring powers?

In this post, I will clarify the recruiter’s role and show you how to tap into the magical hiring powers available to job search candidates!

  1. Recruiters Are Gatekeepers

    Recruiters, staffing agencies or placement services simply screen and then forward resumes to employers / clients.

    A placement service will forward your resume to the client / employer if you have performed jobs in the past related to the job posting.

    If the employer is picky about resumes or complains about the quality / number of job candidates, the staffing / placement service will raise the requirements for submission.

    But keep in mind that recruiters do not exclusivity to job postings in a broad sense because you can always forward your resume to employers, have a staffing agency do it for you or do both.

  2. Recruiters Are Lie Detectors

    Generally speaking, many recruiters in the Information Technology (IT) industry do not have a technical background.

    They have not worked with or used the tools listed on your resume / job posting and cannot really say whether you are qualified or not.

    So, what they do is check your resume to see if it will pass a very basic, unsophisticated lie detector.

    Recruiters want to know such things like: where you have worked, what titles you held and whether you are eligible t work for the client.

    Note: when working with recruiters, take the extra step of convincing them that your resume and background is a good fit, because they may not be able to tell the difference!

  3. Can Staffing Agencies Claim Exclusivity?

    Generally, employers will use multiple staffing agencies and then use their own internal hiring team to narrow the pool of resumes down to a few candidates who would be interviewed or hired.

    An Employer may also decide to be discreet about the hiring process and use only one staffing agency.

    But even in this case, the staffing agency does not make a hiring decision. All the placement service can do for you is forward your resume to the employer.

  4. Who Makes Hiring Decisions?

    In all cases, it’s the employer’s internal hiring team / manager that makes the hiring decision and not the placement / staffing agency.

    Recruiters do not have magical hiring powers and you cannot base your job search on claims of exclusivity by a recruiter.

    Remember that the job search process is a democratic process and that you, the staffing agency and the employer all participate or play active roles in the process.

Discover Magic In A Law Of Numbers

One of the most important laws in the hiring process is the law of numbers.

This law says that “the more resumes you submit and job interviews you take, the greater your chances of getting hired!”

The law of numbers gives you magical hiring powers because the more recruiters, staffing or placement agencies you submit your resume to … the greater are your chances of getting hired.

So, my advice is, don’t look up to recruiters, staffing / placement agencies instead, look-up to yourself by tapping into your own magical hiring powers!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/18/how-to-tap-into-magical-hiring-powers/feed/ 1 Can Certifications Take the Place of Experience? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/17/can-certifications-take-the-place-of-experience/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/17/can-certifications-take-the-place-of-experience/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:10:29 +0000 Russ Woodward http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3265

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.?

Since I don’t have years of experience selling I.T., what are hiring managers looking for?

Can a certificate take the place of experience?

Thank you

Russ

Can a Certificate Take the Place of Experience?

  1. What does a certificate prove to hiring managers?

    Just like a college degree, certifications also prove that you are knowledgeable on a subject.

    Just like self study or taking a training class, a certificate also proves that you have taken the time to study, learn or master a subject.

    A certificate proves that you have mastered the information or knowledge you need for a job.

    And a certificate proves that you will not be studying textbooks on the job or asking questions about how to do your job.

    However, Information Technology managers are not really looking for your knowledge but for the ability or skills to perform … and having knowledge is not the same as having the skills or ability to perform.

  2. What Is The Best Predictor Of Performance?

    In the Information Technology (IT) Industry, you are hired for your ability to perform or get the job done.

    And as far as hiring managers are concerned, “your past performance is the best predictor of your future performance“.

    So, when it comes to finding a job in the Information Technology (IT) Industry, your experience will always count more than your certifications because it is a better predictor of your performance.

  3. What Is The Value of a Certificate?

    A certificate measures your ability to retain or recall information and it is important from the perspective that it assures hiring managers that you have really studied the material you need for your job.

    But what a certificate does not measure is your real-world ability to get the job done or perform.

    When it comes to the Information Technology (IT) Industry, hiring managers take your past performance as the absolute best measure of your future performance … hence the principle behind hiring is: “Can you perform, prove it“.

    If you want to get hired for a job … any job, don’t focus on certifications because that is a distraction, instead focus on proving your ability to perform on the job.

    4. How To Prove That You Can Perform

    The real question that you should be answering is” “How do you prove to hiring managers that you will perform if you are hired“. Here is the answer to the real question:

  4. Make Your Past Experience Count

    The real reason why you have been successful in business development or sales is your ability to perform on the job by bringing in sales.

    And what information technology hiring managers want from you is that same ability to bring in sales.

    Don’t cloud issues for yourself by focusing on your certifications.

    The ability to bring in sales does not depend on your certifications or education but on your past successes as a sales / development Vice President.

    What you have to do is simple: document your past sales & business development successes clearly on your resume and work on identifying those sales, marketing & business development strengths, experience and skills which will help you perform in any job, even when you change industry.

  5. Rewrite Your Resume – Prove That You A Top Performer

    Your resume is one of the most important documents along the path of changing careers.

    Hire a professional resume writer to clearly identify and document tangible sales results that you’ve achieved in your past jobs.

    Document things like the size of business you brought in or how many millions of dollars in revenue, sales or profit are attributable to your efforts.

    Document things like the sales training you attended, the sales quota you achieved or exceeded, the conferences you attended, the c-level businesses executives you networked with, the size of the budget you managed, the divisional or corporate sales goals or objectives that you achieved and how they mattered to your company’s bottom line.

    At the end of the day, your resume must highlight you as a superstar, top-performer and show clearly how hiring you made a difference to the profit, sales, revenue, strategic and tactical goals of the companies that you worked for as a Vice President of Sales & Business Development.

    Just remember this, you success in getting hired will depend on how well you can prove that you are a top performer and not on anything else.

  6. Ace your Job Interview – Prove That You Are A Top Performer

    The goal of your resume is to get you into as many job interviews as possible. But your resume alone will not get you a job, you must wow your clients at the job interview to get a job!

    And yes, the job interview is really a presentation. So prepare and rehearse your presentation and what you will say or you will not succeed.

    You may want to take some time to read more advice on “How To Slam Dunk Job Interviews” – http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=841

    Finally, you must be confident in your abilities and convey that self-confidence at your job interview.

    Remember this, the Information Technology Industry is a performance driven industry and no-one would hire you, if you first don’t believe in your own abilities.

    So, take the time to discover your own strengths, talents, abilities and then learn how to believe in yourself so that you will be able to convince others at your job interviewer, that you are a top performer!

Follow the strategy that I outlined in this post to change careers and get an information technology job.

Remember that Certifications are helpful because it helps you learn or master a topic.

But focusing on a certificate as a way of getting a job is not a high value strategy because that is not what hiring managers are really looking for.

Hiring managers are hiring for your ability to perform or get the job done!

You gain that ability to perform through rigorous real world problem solving or on the job experience.

You can prove your ability by highlighting your past successes which are the best predictors of your future performance or creating situations where you can grow and develop your experience through practical challenges.

[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 the question in this post …


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This post was submitted by Russ Woodward.

]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2011/08/17/can-certifications-take-the-place-of-experience/feed/ 1 #4 Success Principle: Preparation and Presentation, Key For Job Interviews http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/01/12/preparation-presentation-key-job-interviews/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/01/12/preparation-presentation-key-job-interviews/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:49:10 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2762

How To Boost IT Skills Rapidly Or Get Hired Fast

Learning a skill is one thing … knowing how to market, a skill a completely different thing!

That is why for example, some qualified business analysts fail to get a job that other less experienced business analysts succeed in getting.

Don’t assume that because you know a skill through self study, formal education or training, you can just go out and get a job … because there is more to finding a job than that!

Some people are really good at selling themselves … even when they know little about the subject at hand.

Others cringe at the thought of promoting themselves at job interviews and unfortunately, this works against them!

In a job interview, you will hardly get credit for your skills or experience, if you can’t prove or present it.

For example, if you know the answers to a question but you’re not sharp, detailed or timely enough in your reply … then you are assumed not to know it!

If you know the answers to a question but are slow or hesitant in answering the questions, you are assumed not to know it.

So, to succeed at job interviews, you have to be good at both your preparation and presentation.

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Here are three (3) great techniques that will help you ace your next job interview.

  1. Be Timely: to succeed at your job interviews, don’t start your preparation a week before your interview … start three (3) months ahead of your job interview. That is how to start prepare excellently for your interview.

  2. Be Smart: don’t depend solely on textbooks or videos for your job interview preparation.

    Use practice tests or quizzes!

    Your success at the job interview depends on how correct, comprehensive and timely your answers are.

    If you really want to blow your interviewer away, start preparing with quizzes, several months ahead of the job interview and your quality of preparation will shine through!

  3. Be Confident: answer your interview questions confidently if you want the job!

    If you fail to believe in yourself and that shows through at the job interview, what makes you think that the hiring manager will believe in you?

    If you start preparing three months ahead of your job interview and you use practice tests extensively … then all that remains is to believe in yourself!

So, here they are … three simple but highly effective secrets that guarantee success at job interviews; be timely, smart and confident.

Just follow these three rules to get the job you want!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/01/12/preparation-presentation-key-job-interviews/feed/ 0 College Graduates Paying for Unpaid Internships! http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/12/17/college-graduates-paying-for-unpaid-internships/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/12/17/college-graduates-paying-for-unpaid-internships/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:36:07 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2741

Will Pay For Work!

Will Pay For Work!

It is generally accepted that hands-on experience is one of the more important qualifications for getting a job and that you may get handson experience through paid or unpaid internship programs.

So this article on NyTimes.com about how job seekers are paying thousands of dollars for internships is not surprising considering how competitive the job market has become.

What is surprising is that these are college graduates from prestigious colleges paying for nonpaying internship programs!

The article is titled “Unpaid Work, but They Pay for Privilege” and you can read it here:

This article mentions that;

  1. College graduates are unable to find paying internships

  2. College graduates are paying to get into an unpaid internship programs

  3. Job seekers don’t have problems with finding internships. They have problems with getting accepted!

  4. Job seekers are paying significant sums of money to get into a non-paying internship programs. For example, a job seeker may pay $9,450 for an internship program in London or as little as $5,499 for an internship in Costa Rica.

  5. Online startups are now selling internships worth thousands of

Now the question for you is:

  • How far will you go to get into an unpaid or paid internship?

  • What do you think about online startups selling internships?

  • Is paying for an unpaid internship smart or is there a better way?

  • Will you pay for an internship?


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/12/17/college-graduates-paying-for-unpaid-internships/feed/ 0 Did I Mess Up My Career? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/08/02/did-i-mess-up-my-career-part-2/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/08/02/did-i-mess-up-my-career-part-2/#comments Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:39:02 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2185

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”.

What To Do About making Wrong Career Choices

I think I did myself well careerwise by reading for a degree that bears no inclination to what I am trying to aspire to in life.

The programme entitled: Degree in Computing with Management Studies is embeded with C++, COBOL and Report Programme Generator (RPG) courses.

The final year I underwent a gruelling course in Artificial Intelligence that I haven’t started to utilise in anyway in my career path.

What I strongly desire is a competence in database management and its integration with records management and design.

Regards

Career Transitions Are A Fact Of Life

Hello,

I feel your pain because I have been in your shoes – in a similar situation.

I’ve had to transition career several times from Chemical Engineering to IT Sales to IT Consulting to IT Career Coaching!

I’m reasonably sure that my last transition is permanent … but that doesn’t mean much because I expect my IT Career Coaching skills to change so much that I would literally be re-inventing myself every year!

Think about it for a moment. The world around us is constantly changing and we have to remain flexible and adaptable or we become as dead as the DoDo!

Fact is … “career transitions are a part of life“!

What I’ve learnt that I would like to share with you is this: “march boldly in the direction of your dreams!“

Start by forgiving yourself thoroughly.

Forgiving yourself is really not as easy as it sounds … put some effort into giving yourself a break because you did the best that you could based on the information you had.

Don’t be too hard on yourself; make sure you take out some time to love on yourself before you do the next big thing.

Now, having done that, “follow your call wherever it leads without any hesitation“!

Since your heart is saying that you need to become a database professional, do exactly that!

“Jump into the water with both feet and don’t be afraid of getting your feet wet”.

What I mean is: “pursue your dreams fearlessly, follow your heart wherever it leads and don’t be afraid of making mistakes”.

You owe yourself the pursuit of “life, liberty and love”.

What Should I Do with My Life?

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!”

So, if you find yourself doubting or regretting the choices you’ve made for your career or work, do these:

  1. Do What You Love; Start building your career around what you love or enjoy doing. Be honest with yourself by finding out what type of work fulfills you and doing it.

  2. Discover Your Strengths; Don’t spend your entire career or life building on weaknesses by doing what you don’t love.

    Discover what you excel at doing and then pursue opportunities that align with them.

    Use a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis to reposition your career.

  3. Follow Your Dreams; It’s never too late to discover or follow your dreams, aspirations or happiness.

    Don’t deny yourself the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness because everyone including your dear self, deserves better!

  4. Develop A Positive Mental Attitude; Don’t let past mistakes or career choices hinder you from making better decisions going forward!

    Believe that “you can do better and you will” because “if you think that you can, you can!“

  5. Learn From Past Mistakes; Don’t be reacting to past failures, learn from them!

    We all do the best that we can, based on the information we have. Now, re-invent your career by making better, informed decisions based on your past failures!

  6. Plan to Succeed; Now prepare a step by step plan for transitioning to a your new career!

    Start with a SWOT Analysis that addresses specific issues like “how you will learn new skills” and “how you will gain hands-on experience“.

    You need to plan your career transition because “failing to plan is the same as planning to fail!”

  7. Now, Do What You Love; You’ve learnt from past mistakes and planned a better career transition, now start doing what you love.

    Stick to doing what you love even when it’s tough on your purse or ego.

    Because a day will come when you’ll start reaping the financial and emotional rewards of “Career Nirvana!”

How To Achieve Career Nirvana

You’re not alone in making wrong career choices. But you must overcome the past by learning from it and by making better, informed decisions going forward!

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

If you have a question about your career or are facing a challenge, be sure to post it as a comment on this page and I will answer it for you!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/08/02/did-i-mess-up-my-career-part-2/feed/ 5 Did I Mess Up My Career? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/16/did-i-mess-up-my-career/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/16/did-i-mess-up-my-career/#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:40:21 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2064

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.

Here is the Reader’s Question:

I think I did myself well careerwise by reading for a degree that bears no inclination to what I am trying to aspire to in life.

The programme entitled: Degree in Computing with Management Studies is embeded with C++, COBOL and Report Programme Generator (RPG) courses.

The final year I underwent a gruelling course in Artificial Intelligence that I haven’t started to utilise in anyway in my career path.

What I strongly desire is a competence in database management and its integration with records management and design.

Regards

Here is my Answer

Hello,

I feel your pain because I have been in your shoes – in a similar situation.

I’ve had to transition career several times from Chemical Engineering to IT Sales to IT Consulting to IT Career Coaching!

I’m reasonably sure that my last transitiion is permanent … but that doesn’t mean much because I expect my IT Career Coaching skills to change so much that I would literally be re-inventing myself every year!

Think about it for a moment. The world around us is constantly changing and we have to remain flexible and adaptable or we become as dead as the DoDo!

Fact is … “career transitions are a part of life“!

What I’ve learnt that I would like to share with you is this: “march boldly in the direction of your dreams!“

Start by forgiving yourself thoroughly.

Forgiving yourself is really not as easy as it sounds … put some effort into giving yourself a break because you did the best that you could based on the information you had.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, make sure you take out some time to love on yourself before you do the next big thing.

Now, having done that, “follow your call wherever it leads without any hesitation“!

Since your heart is saying that you need to become a database professional, do exactly that!

“Jump into the water with both feet and don’t be afraid of getting your feet wet. “

What I mean is: “pursue your dreams fearlessly, follow your heart wherever it leads and don’t be afraid of making mistakes”.

You owe yourself the pursuit of “life, liberty and love”.

Let me know if I can do anything to help.

Regards,

Kingsley Tagbo – Your IT Career Coach

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

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/2009/07/16/did-i-mess-up-my-career/feed/ 9 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 Why Can’t I Find A Job? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/13/why-cant-i-find-a-job/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/13/why-cant-i-find-a-job/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:21:11 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=2002

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.

  1. Do You Have a Marketable Skill? Did you assume that because your skills were in-demand a few years ago, they are relevant today?

    The market doesn’t lie! … If your phone isn’t ringing or you aren’t getting job interviews then your skills need to be updated!

    What looks like a minor skill gap to you is a major skill gap to hiring managers because that’s what they’re paying for!

  2. Is Your Resume Killing Your Career? Your resume screams “hire me because I need this job” and says little about what you can do for the employer!

    Get a clue, no-one cares about you until you prove that you care about them!

    Put yourself in the employer’s shoes by re-writing your resume to say: “here is what I can do for you” and you’ll get a job paying surprisingly more than you asked for!

  3. Are You Flying by the Seat of Your Pants? Your failure to plan your job search is the reason why your job search is falling apart!

    Start your job search with a competitive analysis of your strengths and weaknesses in the current job market (SWOT Analysis) and then create a strategic job search plan that addresses your findings!

    Applying for every online job doesn’t work because everyone else is doing the same thing and you must differentiate yourself to succeed.

  4. Do You Suck at Job Interviews? You need to learn “how to interview properly” because something you’re doing is freaking out potential employers!

    Face-to-face or phone interviews are make or break opportunities that can’t be treated casually or left to chance.

    So learn “how to slam dunk job interviews” to improve your job search or get hired fast!

  5. Can You Perform? Prove It! Performers get hired wherever they go!

    Everything about your resume, job interviews or attitude must prove that you’re a performer because that’s what potential employers wants to hear!

    Remember that IT Managers view: your past performance as the best indicator of your future performance.

    So, get your act together and differentiate yourself from the competition. Prove that you’re a job candidate worthy of hire!

Remember that Employers are still hiring for Information Technology (IT) jobs despite the economy … so, if you can’t find an IT Job, you’re doing something wrong!

Finding a job doesn’t have to be an emotionally demanding, long-drawn out process. Just learn the process outlined in this series of articles and you will be in-charge of your job search.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/13/why-cant-i-find-a-job/feed/ 6 How To Ace Job Interviews Using Practice Tests http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/04/10/ace-job-interviews-using-practice-tests/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/04/10/ace-job-interviews-using-practice-tests/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:38:28 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1348

How To Boost IT Skills Rapidly Or Get Hired Fast

How To Boost IT Skills Rapidly Or Get Hired Fast

I discovered the power of practice tests in 1999 after I aced a job interview test with a score in the mid-nineties and got hired fast!

Over the next few months, I mastered how to boost my skills rapidly using the technique that I will share with you in the rest of this article.

Research has shown that practice tests or quizzes improve your retention, recall or understanding.

Research that studies how people learn skills effectively also demonstrates that students who study and take quizzes have better long-term recall than their colleagues who study without taking quizzes.

Perhaps, you have been using practice tests only when preparing for certification exams.

However, practice tests are useful for much more than that.

Quizzes have proven effective for improving IT skills, retention, recall of information and for acing technical job interviews!

That is why we use the Quiz Module in our online, video-based training programs to sharpen the skills, improve memory, retention, recall and understanding of our students after they watch our training videos.

We’ve also incorporated a practice testing software into the Business Analyst Book – Business Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Let’s go ahead and review how you may used practice tests to improve your skills or advance your IT career or get an IT job.

Use Quizzes to Ace IT Job Interviews Or Get An IT Job:

The more effective preparation for IT job interviews includes using quizzes or practice tests to ask Single Choice, Multiple Choice or Essay Type interview questions.

This technique is effective for acing IT job interviews because the Quiz software presents the questions to you, rates your answers as correct or incorrect and then displays the correct answer for feedback or correction

Quizzes or practice tests are also effective for acing job interviews because they closely mimic the question and answer format of IT job interviews.

In IT job interviews, the interviewer asks a questions and then reviews your answer for correctness, promptness of reply and comprehensiveness. Not displaying these three traits are among the top reasons why IT workers fail to ace their job interviews. The interviewer rated their answers and felt that they where wrong (correctness), slow in coming, (promptness) or not detailed enough (comprehensiveness).

The good news is that our online video-based training programs include a Quiz Module which helps students prepare for job interviews at no additional costs.

The Quiz Module asks technical questions in a random order, rates the answer to Single Choice, Multiple Choice or Essay Type Questions, presents the correct answer with an explanation and then grades the student for the entire quiz.

Use Quizzes to Sharpen Your IT Skills Or Advance Your Career:

The other major benefit of using practice tests or quizzes in our online training programs, is that practice tests actually improve your ability to remember, recall or understand the information you gain from watching our training videos.

Repetition in training is the key to skill mastery. To master any new skill you repeat the same set of tasks multiple times until it sinks in and becomes second nature … and that is exactly what our Quiz modules does for you!

At designated periods in your online, video training program, you will get an invitation to take a Quiz for a number of days.

While taking the quiz, you will be presented with a number of questions or scenarios repeatedly until the learning concept becomes second nature.

This feature … only available at select Quiz training programs … is included with your online, video-based training boot camps at no additional cost!

So, if you are looking for a scientific way to boost your career or advance your skills or ace your job interviews, get our online, video-based training courses or web-based training courses now.

References

  1. Chan, J.C., McDermott, K.B., & Roediger, H.L. (2007). Retrieval-induced facilitation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 135(4), 553-571

  2. How to Become a More Effective Learner in Tips from Psychology to Improve Learning Effectiveness & Efficiency By Kendra Van Wagner


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/04/10/ace-job-interviews-using-practice-tests/feed/ 4 IT Managers Hiring Broader Range Of Skills http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/03/09/it-managers-hiring-broader-range-of-skills/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/03/09/it-managers-hiring-broader-range-of-skills/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:07:10 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1258

careersAs 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

As the job market gets more competitive, IT Managers are hiring workers who have the mindset, training and inclination to work on a broader range of tasks. Gone are the days when it was okay to say “I can only do this” or “please, don’t make me do that“. Nowadays if you are asked to work on a task that is not aligned with your core competency … it may better to do the job or get trained on how to do it!

Business Analysts With Programming Skills Wanted!

IT Managers are hiring for business analysts with light computer programming skills

Business analysts are not expected to learn the full suite of programming languages that software developers need. They are expected to LEARN LIGHT PROGRAMMING SKILLS including HTML, XHTML, CSS, SQL, Data Analysis or Reporting

Business Analysts who’ve learnt a range of light programming skills in addition to the traditional, business analysis skills will find that they are more marketable. These business analysts will also be able to match a wider range of candidate profiles sought by an increasing number of hiring managers. One thing is for sure, showing your IT manager that you are willing or flexible enough to accept assignments outside your core competencies will help you get hired or keep your current job

Should Computer Programmers Learn Business Analysis?

Computer Programmers also need to be ready in today’s job market to acquire a broader range of skills in other to get hired or retain their jobs.

Computer programmers need to be ready to have or demonstrate LIGHT BUSINESS ANALYSIS SKILLS including UML, Use Cases or Requirements Analysis skills.

Because firms are cutting costs, computer programmers should also expect to start seeing more traditional data analysis or reporting tasks assigned to them.

What Extra Skills Are You Getting?

Business analysts are reporting an increase in the number of job postings requiring light programming skills in-addition to the core business analysis skills

Industry wide, there is an increasing trend to cut costs and retain tech workers who have a broader range of software development (project management, data analysis, business analysis, computer programming) skills.

What about you? Do you plan to learn any new skill or stay competitive in today’s job market?


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/03/09/it-managers-hiring-broader-range-of-skills/feed/ 0 How To Slam Dunk Job Interviews http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/02/05/how-to-slam-dunk-job-interviews/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/02/05/how-to-slam-dunk-job-interviews/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:30:13 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=841

How To Slam Dunk Your Next Job Interview

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!

The definition of the word “slam dunk” below is from Wikipedia and the rest of the article is my anwer to Chris’s challenge with Job Interviews!

A slam dunk (or simply a dunk) is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim.

The term “slam dunk” was coined by Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn and is one of the highest percentage shots one can attempt in basketball.

50 Ways To Slam Dunk Any Job Interview

  1. Dress appropriately for your job interviews

  2. Never be late for your job interviews

  3. Verify the interviewer’s timezone ahead of your job interview

  4. Verify the location of the interview ahead of time

  5. Print a mapquest or step by step driving direction to the interview location

  6. Before going for the interview, find out more about the culture of the company, what they like in employees or consultants or why they are hiring

  7. Greet the receptionist and other people in the lounge or interview room courteously and with a smile

  8. Research your potential employer using the internet before the interview

  9. Research your potential employer by finding out about their products, services, industry and corporate history

  10. Take samples or proof of your expertise to the interview

  11. Demonstrate to the interviewer how portions or sections of the job posting relate to your resume and skills

  12. Do not negotiate compensation before you get an offer

  13. Do not talk down your current or previous positions

  14. Be prepared to answer the “what are your strengths?” question

  15. Be prepared to answer the “what is your weakness?” question

  16. Be prepared to answer the “do you prefer working in teams or alone?” question

  17. Give the appropriate level of technical detail for each interviewer. A senior business analyst or a tech lead will need detailed technical answers while managers or directors may need concise summaries.

  18. Be prepared to answer the “what is your greatest accomplishment?” question

  19. Be prepared to answer the “why are you looking for a position?” question

  20. Be prepared to answer the “how do you handle stress?” question

  21. Answer each interview question with specifics, examples and illustrations from your career

  22. Answer each interview question quickly, completely and to the point

  23. Answer each interview question and ask your interviewer if you provided enough information

  24. Answer each interview question with confidence, command and authority

  25. Answer each interview question by looking the interviewer in the eye

  26. Answer each interview question by looking briefly at each interviewer in the room and returning back to the originator of the question

  27. Answer each interview question with a smile and a relaxed, calm demeanor

  28. Say you don’t know on interview questions, that you don’t have any idea about

  29. If you interviewer corrects you on your answers, be courteous and thank the interviewer for taking the time to correct your response

  30. Take the phone interview as seriously as a face to face interview because may even get hired on the phone without another face to face

  31. Take you phone interviews in a quiet, distraction free room

  32. Give an alternate phone number to the employer as a backup ahead of your phone interviews

  33. Practice taking phone interviews while standing up or sitting down and then choose the style that works for you

  34. Start your interview preparation a month or more before you take the interview

  35. When preparing for a job interview, first prepare a list of frequently asked questions and answers

  36. Prepare the questions to ask the interviewer about the job position before your interview date

  37. When preparing for job interview, rehearse or practice answering the questions 10 or more times beforehand

  38. When preparing for job interview, rehearse or practice before an audience that will give you immediate feedback

  39. After taking a job interview, let the interviewer know that you really want and care about landing the job

  40. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer what are the issues that must be tackled immediately and effectively by you, if you are hired

  41. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer what personal attributes or traits are common among the sucessful employees or consultants

  42. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer who you will be reporting to if you are hired

  43. After taking a job interview, thank the interviewer for their time and interest in hiring you before leaving the room

  44. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer for their contact information

  45. After taking a job interview, send a thank you email to your job interviewers when you get home

  46. After taking a job interview, decline to discuss your pay until you get a job offer

  47. After taking a job interview, let the interviewer know that you are flexible when it comes to pay

  48. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer how long you it will take for them to get back to you

  49. After taking a job interview, prepare a list of the challenging questions you had to answer

  50. After taking a job interview, research, document and rehearse the answers to all the challenging questions you answered


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/02/05/how-to-slam-dunk-job-interviews/feed/ 8 Recession Proof Your Career – How to Survive In 2009 http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/29/recession-proof-your-career-how-to-survive-in-2009/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/29/recession-proof-your-career-how-to-survive-in-2009/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:34:25 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=685

recession-economic-downturn

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.

If you haven’t been laid off already, there is a real possibility that it may happen to you. It’s time to hunker down and prepare for the worst. The good news is that even in a recession, there are still jobs out there.

To offer you some hope and prepare you to be successful in the economic downturn, I will be writing a series of articles packed with tips to help you get through the current recession/depression.

These articles will help you prepare to sail right through to your next position if you’ve been laid off and prepare to not miss a beat if you do get a pink slip.

In addition, I am scouring the web to bring you the best of what’s been written about surviving the current tough economy.

Here are two great articles from Robert Scoble chock full of tips for holding on to your job and getting a new one right away if you do get laid off.

If You Are Laid Off, Here’s How to Socially Network

What to Do If You’re Laid Off in 2008 recession

And on a more humorous note:

7 Essential Steps to Surviving a Post-Layoff Existence

How To Recession Proof Your Career

Check out the ‘IT-Career-Coach’ Resume, Job Search and Interview training program that walks you through the process of finding a new job immediately.

You’ll Learn Step-by-Step

  • How to Run an Accelerated Job Search

  • How to Find Unadvertised Jobs

  • What Employers Want to See on Your Resume

  • How to Be the Best Candidate in a Technical Interview

  • Advanced Techniques that 98% of Job Searchers Don’t Know (This Means You’ll Be Ahead of the Game)

How the Coaching Works

  • You Get Step By Step Video Training that Shows You How to Get Hired Fast!

  • Your Resume and Cover Letter are Reviewed to Ensure They Match the Positions You’re Applying For.

  • You are Coached on How To Be the Top Candidate by Selling Yourself During Your Technical Interviews.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/29/recession-proof-your-career-how-to-survive-in-2009/feed/ 2 Recession Proof Your Career – 7 Signs a Pink Slip is Coming http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/28/recession-proof-your-career-7-signs-a-pink-slip-is-coming/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/28/recession-proof-your-career-7-signs-a-pink-slip-is-coming/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:50:36 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=647

Pink Slip

Pink Slip

Being laid off usually comes as a shock to most people that it happens to. This is even more the case if your company does not make a public announcement of its intentions to cut jobs.

However, the layoff decision is rarely made the morning you get your pink slip. Managers are often given weeks within which to select the people who will be laid off from their teams.

While it is always difficult for a manager to let an employee go, sometimes it is an opportunity for them to weed out those people who have been dragging the team performance down. If you’ve had trouble with your manager or co-workers in the past, that’s a sure sign that you may be one of the first to go.

Other times, there’s no good reason for you to be chosen as the sacrificial lamb. You’ve worked hard and been a team player; however, you still get the boot. There are signs that can give you a heads up that this may happen.

Here are the warnings that you are being considered for a layoff:

  1. Your workload suddenly becomes very light. If there are no new projects coming your way, it may be a sign that your employer plans to let you go.

  2. You have consistently been an underperformer on the job. You miss deadlines and your work is under par. Your lack of energy or application of commitment and creativity to the tasks your team faces will make you a sure pick for a layoff. If you’ve been hovering around the fringes of productivity, this is the time to do a 180 degree turn and start contributing in major ways to your team. Get to work early, stay late, stop surfing the web during work hours. Go over and beyond the call of duty. You may just save your job.

  3. You don’t get along with your co-workers or with your boss. In a downturn, your manager is more likely to keep his or her favorites around. It’s just the way life is. Most organizations value a team player over a star player. If you’ve had problems in your interactions with co-workers in the past, this is a good time to patch up. Reach out and be likeable.

  4. Your manager starts to micro-manage you. He requests status updates on all of your projects and tasks. In this case, you may be scheduled for a layoff and your manager is trying to get a handle of what’s on your plate.

  5. You only perform one task or one function for your company. You need to evaluate how much value you are creating for your company. The junior business analyst who only works on documentation is less valuable to an employer than the mid-level business analyst who interacts with the customers, gathers requirements and performs requirements analysis. Make yourself indispensable to your employer by gaining new skills fast. Find out the functions needed in your area that you currently don’t have the skills for and read a book, go for training or get certified.

  6. Your boss gets laid off. This usually happens when a company plans to get rid of a division or department altogether. I heard from an in-house software developer for an IT staffing company whose boss got laid off. She was kept on to complete her project and was laid off the day after she wrote the last line of code. Keep your eyes and ears open and start working on your resume and job search plans if you see any hints that your company is cost-cutting.

  7. Your company or company division gets sold or merged with another. Mergers and division sales always create an at-risk situation for jobs. The new company may choose to replace all the employees from the former company with their own people. If your company is in the middle of a merger or sale, try to find out as much as you can about the terms of the deal. Either way, get your resume ready to find a new job if you need to.
How To Recession Proof Your Career

Check out the ‘IT-Career-Coach’ Resume, Job Search and Interview training program that walks you through the process of finding a new job immediately.

You’ll Learn Step-by-Step

  • How to Run an Accelerated Job Search

  • How to Find Unadvertised Jobs

  • What Employers Want to See on Your Resume

  • How to Be the Best Candidate in a Technical Interview

  • Advanced Techniques that 98% of Job Searchers Don’t Know (This Means You’ll Be Ahead of the Game)

How the Coaching Works

  • You Get Step By Step Video Training that Shows You How to Get Hired Fast!

  • Your Resume and Cover Letter are Reviewed to Ensure They Match the Positions You’re Applying For.

  • You are Coached on How To Be the Top Candidate by Selling Yourself During Your Technical Interviews.


Click here for more information


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/28/recession-proof-your-career-7-signs-a-pink-slip-is-coming/feed/ 0 SQL Interview Questions Part 1 http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/19/sql-interview-questions-part-1/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/19/sql-interview-questions-part-1/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:35:29 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=530

If you want to master working with SQL or are preparing for a SQL Interview, you already know that answering SQL interview questions is key to getting hired for a SQL job.sql interview questions

What you may not know is that the importance of learning SQL Interview Questions goes beyond just getting a job!

Believe it or not, getting a SQL job is not as hard as keeping the job after you get it!

In this article I will share the most effective strategies for acing SQL interview questions, getting a job or keeping a SQL job after you get it!

How To Ace SQL Interview Questions

Answering SQL Questions is easy when you realize that almost every SQL job interview is designed to be one of these:

  1. Open Ended Or Essay Type SQL Interview Questions: In this type of interview, you are asked a number of open ended SQL programming questions. However the interviewer is not looking for a textbook or theoretical answer but a practical answer forged from the textbook, real world experience and hands-on knowledge of the question. You score points on each SQL interview question based on how knowledgeable or prepared you sound.

  2. Multiple Choice SQL Interview Questions: In this type of SQL interview, you are made to take a SQL quiz using a testing software program. You may have to answer up to 50 SQL interview questions randomly selected from a question pool. You have to chose the exact answers and your choices are automatically graded at the end of your SQL developer interview.

Acing SQL Interviews Is Easy!

Now, why did I say that both types of interview questions are simple? SQL interview questions are simple because:

  • Limited Question Pool: There is a limited number of interview questions that you could be asked on SQL Queries or Relational Databases (RDBMS) or SQL Joins, Stored Procedures, or their SQL topics! The key is to recognize this in advance and prepare thoroughly and exhaustively.

  • Interview Questions Are 80/20: technical interviews are more practical rather than theoretical in nature. Job applicants tend to be overwhelmed when preparing for interviews because they try to study every possible theoretical questions under the sun! That is so wrong … the truth is that job interviews are designed to test the areas of a skill or technology that you actually use on the job! For example, Normalization to the Third Normal Form is good for most practical database projects. So, staying up late to master all the higher normal forms including Boyce Codd Normal Form is a bit of a theoretical exercise!

The Better Way To Prepare For SQL Job Interviews

The convenient or effective time to start preparing for a SQL Job Interview is not one or two weeks before you a job search! It is better to start preparing months in advance of your job search … that way, when you actually need to take an interview, you will have prepared yourself thoroughly in advance, without any pressure or duress and you have had time to assimilate and understand every nuance of the SQL Programming Language!

Continuous Testing And Assessment

The SQL Boot Camp Online Training Software has an in-built testing program. In addition to the Online SQL Video training you are tested continuously … to check your understanding, retention or application. There are three types of SQL Quiz questions employed by the SQL Boot Camp’s in-built Quiz training system:

  • Single Choice Quiz Questions: In a single choice quiz, you may choose only one answer as the correct answer.

  • Multiple Choice Quiz Questions: In a multiple choice quiz, you may choose one or more answers as the correct answer

  • Essay Type / Open Ended Quiz Questions: In an open ended, essay type quiz, you may provide as much detail as you would in a face to face job interview!

The SQL Boot Camp Online Training Software provides instant feedback to your answers in a single choice or multiple choice question. The feedback includes both the correct answers and the answer explanation.

The SQL Boot Camp Interview Questions Bank

There are more than 200 SQL Interview Grade Questions and Answers distributed throughout the SQL Boot Camp’s Courses. The Question Pool provides a complete, end to end, beginner to advanced training and assessment feature for professionals who wants to master SQL, ace SQL programming interviews or learn SQL writing for their day to day job

This is part one of the SQL Interview Questions series. Stay tuned for the second part of the SQL Interview Questions coming next!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/19/sql-interview-questions-part-1/feed/ 8 How To Become A Technical Expert http://www.it-career-coach.net/2008/02/05/how-to-become-a-technical-expert/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2008/02/05/how-to-become-a-technical-expert/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:16:28 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2008/02/05/how-to-become-a-technical-expert/

When you meet someone who is a technical expert, you immediately make a few assumptions about the person’s education, income, competence, marketability and problem-solving skills.

While you may find it easy to identify the technical experts in your industry, it is much harder to become one..

Read the rest of this article and you will learn how you can become a technical expert easily.

Who Is An Expert?

An expert, according to Wikipedia, is a person with extensive knowledge or ability in a particular area of study.

An expert can be, by virtue of training, education, profession, publication or experience, believed to have special knowledge of a subject beyond that of the average person.

The last line in the definition of an expert deserves a closer look because it mentions some of the processes that turn an average person into an expert including training, education, profession, publication and experience.

Who Is A Technical Expert?

Borrowing from Wikipedia’s definition, for the purposes of this post, I will define a technical expert as someone who has the training, experience or education to give sound advice and information in a technical profession.

The technical professions referred to in this post include those of data analysts, database developers, software developers, business analysts, project managers, software architects, web designers, testers and other software development professional.

Why Should You Become A Technical Expert?

There are two (2) main reasons why you would want to become a technical expert.

  1. Compensation:

    If you are a technical expert you are compensated at levels far above the market rate for other professionals in your field.

    You will find it easier to name, ask for or negotiate your billing rate and prove that you are worth your billing rate.

  2. Name Recognition or Star Power:

    I have been in several technical interviews where the interviewer googled my name before the interview.

    Typically the interviewer will take a note of how many times my name gets mentioned on Google, who is mentioning my name and what websites my name where mentioned on.

    My interviewers frequently comment about the books I read or the blogs I manage.

    I have received both job offers and software consulting offers through visitors who stumbled upon my websites or blogs and then decided to do business with me.

    In my opinion, one of the biggest benefits of being considered a technical expert is that you will find it easier to get job offers or consulting offers as a technical expert since you have taken the time to make your expertise known and available to the general public

What Do Technical Experts Do?

  • Marketing Rules:

    Recognizing technical expertise is not a 100% objective exercise.

    A large part of becoming a technical expert deals with how willing you are to market yourself, your skills, your expertise and your domain of specialization to the general public.

    It is a virtually difficult or impossible to become a technical expert without a fair amount of marketing or writing or speaking or presentation of your skills to the public.

    No one gets to become a technical expert in the privacy of their own room without showing themselves to the public.

    This is one of the greatest secrets or reasons why some people become technical experts and others don’t.

    Simply put, the more you get your name out there and your name is associated with a field of expertise, the more you are considered to be a technical expert in that field.

  • The Role of Knowledge:

    The other way to enhance your career or profession and become a technical expert is simply to study, educate, train and increase your knowledge in a technical subject to a level far above that of others in your industry.

    Increasing your knowledge takes time, effort and dedicated practice.

    However, if you invest the time to master your technical domain and become an expert, your technical excellence will be noticed by your colleagues, your managers, your clients or the public as you begin to solve increasingly complex or difficult technical problems.

    For example, several times in my career, I have been called to a client site and given a problem that stumped the team or the experts on the team, only for me to resolve it within a few minutes or hours.

    When this happens, my client simply reason that since I solved in an hour, a problem that has kept the team back for several days, I am worth every penny I am paid and more.

    I have actually had clients prompt me to increase my billing rate because of the perceived and real value that I bring to the table.

    Advancing your skills and knowledge is important because no amount of marketing on your part will replace your ability to resolve a client’s problem within a few minutes of you encountering the problem.

    Your knowledge, expertise and personal ability to solve complex or difficult technical problems will also earn you your client’s loyalty, respect and keep you billable on a project long after everyone else is off the project.

So, here is a role of thumb for aspiring technical experts:

Your marketing skills will get you through your client’s or employers door but your technical expertise will keep you billable or engaged with your client or employer.

How Do You Become A Technical Expert?

Here are a few things you need to do to build up your skill and become a technical expert:

  1. Education:

    You need to stay educated and abreast of all the developments in your field.

    You must master both the theory, concepts and topics associated with your body of knowledge.

    When I refer to education, I mean both formal and informal education.

    If you can afford (time, money and effort) to go to college, do so.

    If you can afford (time, money and effort) to go to graduate school, do so.

    Whether you can attend college or graduate school or not, make sure you are not skimping on buying and reading your professional books (informal education).

  2. Training:

    Get as much training as you can. It will look good on your resume and will also improve your skills, knowledge and expertise.

    Pay attention to online training classes, distance learning or training programs and other training opportunities that present themselves.

  3. Coaching / Mentoring:

    Find someone who is experienced enough in your field of specialization to be your mentor or coach and then simply follow their instructions.

    In my opinion, choosing a qualified mentor or coach can make or break your career and not choosing one is simply not an option.

    When you find someone who has built a habit of successfully mentoring or coaching others, simply do what he or she tell asks you to do.Mentoring or coaching is critical to becoming a technical expert because there are so many nuances or details particular to each professional career, that you simply would not and cannot observe or learn in a classroom setting.

    These details are meant to be passed on to a willing student by an able mentor.

    If you miss out on your mentoring or coaching opportunities, you will miss out on wisdom, the kind of wisdom that separates the men from the boys and either distinguishes your career or relegates you to meaningless conformity for the rest of your career.

    Simply put, to become truly great, you must learn how great minds work.

    The saying “The student is only as good as the teacher” is important to keep in mind.

How To Take Action

  1. Choose a field of specialization:

    Decide what you want to become a technical expert in. Choose based on market demand for specific skills, job data, your personal strengths and weaknesses or other relevant criteria.

  2. Become The Best:

    Train yourself with the goal of becoming one of the best in your field of endeavor.

    Study, get a coach or mentor, educate yourself and make it your goal to know better than anyone else.

  3. Show Yourself To The World:

    Technical experts are not created in oblivion or in the privacy of their own room.

    To be considered an expert in the public eye, you must be willing to present, sell, educate or market your credentials to the public.

    It is actually public opinion, public judgment or the opinion of others that confirms you as a technical expert.

    So, you must be willing to inform, educate, train and assert what you know with others before you can be accepted as a technical expert.

    There are several ways to do this, for example, with blogs, newsletters, books, ebooks, magazines, articles.

    Choose the media that works for you based on your budget, your personality and type of profession and then present yourself to the world.

Training Programs for Technical Experts

There are some training, coaching and mentoring opportunities right now for becoming a technical expert.

  1. SQL Training Program:

    This training program is designed for database developers, data analysts, business analysts, computer programmers, web developers and other software development professionals.

    You can read more about the SQL Training opportunity by clicking here: SQL Training

  2. Software Developer Training: :

    This is a coaching, mentoring and training program for software developers, web developers and computer programmers.

    You can read more about by clicking here: how to become an expert software developer.

About Me:

My name is Kingsley Tagbo and I’m a technical expert living in Saint Louis, Missouri.

I write about the training, coaching, mentoring and personal development of software development professionals including business analysts, computer programmers, testers, project managers, web designers, data analysts, report writers, software developers and other software development professionals .

My consulting firm, Exacticity, performs software development consulting and training for clients throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. If you are in need of software development expertise or training, contact me.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2008/02/05/how-to-become-a-technical-expert/feed/ 7 How To Ace Programming Job Interviews http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/10/04/how-to-ace-programming-job-interviews/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/10/04/how-to-ace-programming-job-interviews/#comments Fri, 05 Oct 2007 01:43:12 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/10/04/how-to-ace-programming-job-interviews/

I’m finally done with it … the book that’s 10 years in the making and tonight I”m releasing the How To Ace Programming Job Interviews Book.

Why The Programming Job Interviews Book Took Ten Years To Write

If you are my customer, by that I mean you’ve bought one of my books, you will realize that i’m pretty thorough and not one to release a half-baked book. You will also realize that my computer programming books and business analyst books are practical, comprehensive and based on tactics, strategies and information that gets results in the software development industry.

So, after a decade of taking software developer job interviews for both full-time programming positions and well paying contract programming jobs, I’ve decided to come out with the book that says it all: The Ultimate Guide to Computer Programming Jobs and Software Developer Job Interviews.

I Interviewed for Programming Jobs for Over a Decade

I’ve taken dozens of programming job interviews with various IT departments ranging from small software development shops to Fortune 500 IT departments to non-profits to consulting firms to staffing/recruitment agencies.

I’ve been interviewed and hired for both management and non-management software developer positions. I’ve personally interviewed software developers and also coached software developers who’ve gone on to wow their interviewers and ace the programming positions they want.

I’ve been in several situations where to get the next assigment, I interviewed with several firms and received multiple competing programming job offers.

I’ve been in situations where firms competed for my programming services by trying to hire me away or go out of their way to impress me with pretty good offers.

I’ve been hired for high visibility programming jobs in large organizations with one single phone interview without going through a face to face interview. I’ve taken more programming interviews than I care to count, closing and getting job offers 9 times out of ten.

I’ve even taken and aced programming phone interviews while driving and while on vacation.

I’ve been interviewed by a team of technical people several times during my career and sometimes without any warning and still wowed my team of interviewers without any prior preparation. As far as programming job interviews are concerned, I’ve been there and i’ve done it.

I Have Something To Say

I have a lot to say about programming job interviews and I’m asking you to learn from me, so that you can truly be the master of your own fortune because you desire to be the best that you can be.

Are you are ready to be all you can be, break out of your personal limitations and experience the success you want? Begin by learning from an expert on “how to ace programming job interviews”.

Are you teachable and open to learning? If you are, Click Here To Get Your Own Copy of How To Ace Programming Job Interviews.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/10/04/how-to-ace-programming-job-interviews/feed/ 0 Programming Job Interview And Resume Writing Success Story http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/05/programming-job-interview-and-resume-writing-success-story/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/05/programming-job-interview-and-resume-writing-success-story/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:51:49 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/05/programming-job-interview-and-resume-writing-success-story/

I am taking more questions on computer programmer careers in today’s tutorial.

If you have questions you need answered, email it to me or post it as a comment to this article. Here are the questions I am replying to:

  • I am interested in learning more about the program that will help you get a job fast

  • How long does it take to learn programming?

  • How can I learn programming fast?

  • Is it hard to get a programming job?

The answers to these questions are hidden in the amazing short story I am about to tell you next.

BACKGROUND

Matt was an electrical engineer who had been a stay-at-home parent for four years. When his youngest child started kindergarten, Matt wanted to return to work doing what he loved: Computer Programmingwith cutting edge technology.

KEY ISSUES

  • While Matt was at home, technology and software development processes had changed. Matt needed a re-orientation on the Software Development industry and guidance in picking the right programming technology to focus on and a curriculum for covering the core areas of that technology.

  • Matt’s resume did not express in full detail his breadth of programming skills experience and needed major revision.

  • Matt needed interview coaching on a wide breadth of questions especially in the area of object oriented programming which is currently the area of focus for many developer interviews.

  • Matt needed a plan for practicing in a real-world way all the new programming concepts and skills he was learning. This way, he could be confident of and demonstrate his experience to potential employers.

THE COACHING PROCESS

The first few coaching sessions focused on bringing Matt up to date with the latest changes in the software development industry. Matt learned the details of the new programming skills that employers were looking for in contractors and full-time hires. I developed a list of skills he needed to learn over the next few months and a plan for refreshing his knowledge of computer programming and getting real-world experience.

Over the next few months, Matt brought himself up to speed using my curriculum and taking advantage of my extensive email coaching. Then he was ready to move to the next step. job search coaching.

Matt’s resume needed a major revision because it did not detail the programmer skills he used in a way that would catch the employer’s attention. Also, it did not give credit to the hot, in-demand technologies that he had used on previous projects. Matt also needed to list his experience in a way that demonstrated his passion and aptitude for technology and the fact that he was very results-oriented.

Once I introduced Matt to a couple of my preferred recruiters, I got him started on my interview coaching program. I looked at the job descriptions of the positions he was considering and gave him an overview of what the potential employers would be looking for. I then oriented him on the technical recruiting process, skills testing, phone interviews, face-to-face interviews, code sample demonstrations etc.

My partner and I coached Matt on the programming concepts that he needed to master and discuss off the top of his head in order to impress the hiring manager. We also ran him through a two hour mock technical interview where we coached him on how to frame and phrase his answers.

THE RESULTS

Because of Matt’s commitment to the coaching process and our attention to detail, the results were immediate and outstanding: Less than two weeks after his resume was mailed out to my preferred recruiters and after just ONE interview, Matt received a job offer for a Senior Developer position. The amazing part is that the hiring manager was so impressed, he extended an offer within an hour of the job interview.

IN MATT’S OWN WORDS:

“There is such a wealth of information out there that it can be overwhelming to someone trying to figure out what they need to know.

When you look in your local bookstore you won’t find resources that will give you the inside information about how to write a resume specific to programming that will make you stand out from the crowd. You also won’t find the inside information about what interview questions to expect and more importantly – how to answer them!

Kingsley supplied all this information and more. And not only that, but it was structured in such a way that it was easy to learn. Each step builds on what I learned in the previous step so I never got overwhelmed.

I went on my first interview and it went very well. I was prepared for every question and answered each one beyond expectation. The interviewer said that with each answer I gave, I also answered the next two questions on his list. I walked out of the interview at 9:15am and by 10:30am my recruiter called to tell me they had offered me the position.

I’m ecstatic with my results. I couldn’t have done it without the guidance I received from Kingsley! I owe him my career. He has given me the keys that have allowed me to unlock my potential as a professional programmer – and I will forever be grateful. Anyone considering a career in programming simply must get his coaching. It would be a bargain at 10 times the price!”

THE NEXT STEP

You just read Matt’s success story! It began for him when he bought a copy of my “software developer career book” which came with a one month free programmer coaching program valued at four hundred dollars. The result is that Matt learned modern object oriented web development with me and got hired in a few months!

Now, it is your turn to “master computer programming skills easily” , “get a programmer job fast” or get coached on your toughest programmer career challenge free for one (1) month!

You know what you must do! Take advantage of my free software developer career coaching program here and instantly discover programming success.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/05/programming-job-interview-and-resume-writing-success-story/feed/ 0 Get Hired Fast Announcement http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/02/get-hired-fast-announcement/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/02/get-hired-fast-announcement/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:44:23 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/02/get-hired-fast-announcement/

Announcing the “How To Find Programming Jobs Easily And Get Hired Fast!”

3-DAY SPECIAL Release For programmers looking for a new job.

Never again do you have to feel over-whelmed by a job search when this FOUR-IN-ONE JOB SEARCH PACKAGE says it all. Here are the four books in this release:

  1. How To Create Highly Effective Programmer Resumes

  2. How To Find Programming Job Openings Easily

  3. How To Ace Technical Interviews

  4. How To Negotiate The Salary You Want

For the next 3 days, you can have this book for a fraction of the full price.

Read more this announcement here and please help anyone looking for a job by passing on this announcement.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/02/get-hired-fast-announcement/feed/ 0 Beginning An Entry Level Java Programming Job In Spring http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/01/14/beginning-an-entry-level-java-programming-job-in-spring/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/01/14/beginning-an-entry-level-java-programming-job-in-spring/#comments Sun, 14 Jan 2007 18:31:12 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/01/14/beginning-an-entry-level-java-programming-job-in-spring/

I’m still taking questions from my readers. Today’s question is about finding entry level computer programming job working with the Java programming language. Here’s the rest of my reader’s question:

Dear Mr. Tagbo,

I am sending you this e-mail to ask you if there will be any jobs available in the spring starting April 2007 because I am interested in becoming a Computer Programmer.

One of my personal strengths and experiences so far is tutoring other students at my former school in Algebra Math, and doing favorably well in a Java Programming course.

I have taken two programming language courses, and I will be taking another one next semester in my community college institution.

I love mathematics and logic, and I definitely want to enhance my logical thinking to prepare myself for more advanced programming and Scientific courses.

My favorite hobbies are research and speculation.

And here’s my reply:

There will be Java programming jobs in April or spring except if something really strange happens to the economy. However that doesn’t mean that getting an entry level programming job in Java will be easy.

  1. Ease of access: Entry level jobs in Java, C# or C/C++ are not that easy to get except if you are a professional with real world computer programming experience. For example, there’re lots of jobs advertised on CraigsList, Dice.Com, Monster.Com, CareerBuilder.Com and other job boards for experienced computer programmers.

    However, if you search these job boards for “entry level programmer” or “entry level programming” jobs, you’ll find fewer programming jobs. The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programming Careers explains how to break-in to the tight entry level programming job easily and without making a fool of yourself.

  2. Finding a good position: Not all entry level jobs are good. You need an entry level position, where you can gain good, relevant industry experience, be exposed to leading edge software development projects and be mentored by seasoned and experienced computer programmers, otherwise, your career may suffer. So it may be better to ask about “how to get a good programming job“.

  3. Getting paid: Again, an entry level programmer’s problem. While experienced programmers may not find it hard to negotiate a high rate, entry level programmers sometimes have to work for free! So, the question is, what are your salary expectations and what’s your strategy for breaking into a well paying job?

  4. Job interview hurdles: Convincing the hiring manager and/or a technical team that you really have the expertise to do the job is critical to your career success. The problem is that while there is a high demand for programming skills, that demand is reserved for people who have proven or can prove that they’re performers. It’s not easy then for entry level programmers to prove to hiring managers, team leads or a programming shop that they can perform.

    However, my e-Book The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programming Careers explains how to prepare for the technical job interview, ace the job interview and succeed by performing on the job.

  5. Lack of experience hurdle: If you do not have real world industry experience (not classroom experience), you may face a tough battle convincing employers to hire you. Even if you get hired as an entry level programmer with little real world experience, you may not get a good pay, you may not be trusted with good projects and your employment or tenure may be on shaky grounds because the employer assumes that you are being done a favor. That’s not really a good place to be at.

    So, you should endeavor to gain serious industry experience before sending your resume to recruiters. Again, The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programming Careers, leads you through the steps of gaining serious real world industry exposure, the kind that hiring managers are willing to pay top dollars for.

So, the question is not if there will be programming jobs in spring. The real question is: “what’s your strategy for finding and keeping a good, programming job with a future?” Read The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programming Careers to find the answers you need to know.


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