ITCareerCoach Training - Coaching » salary 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 Why Sales / Marketing Graduates Can’t Find Jobs After College? http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/12/10/why-sales-marketing-cant-find-jobs-after-college/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/12/10/why-sales-marketing-cant-find-jobs-after-college/#comments Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:26:01 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=3022

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

I get a number of questions along the lines of how to get a marketing and sales job after college from new college graduates who have a degree in marketing or sales and yet find it hard to get hired based on their college degree!

Why sales & marketing graduates can’t get jobs

Traditional Marketing and Sales Jobs expects skills in prospecting, cold calling, appointment setting, in-bound / out-bound sales, presentation and closing skills.

Traditionally, a sales or marketing professional would have to qualify a prospect for their ability to buy a product.

Then the marketer will have to prepare a list of companies and the key decision makers that need to be cold called on a daily basis.

The marketer will often call early in the morning or late in the day when they expect to get through the gate keepers, reach the decision maker and set an appointment for a face to face presentation.

Through a series of meetings and face to face presentations, they expect to move through a list of objections and then get the buy-in of the copoany or executive that they are selling to.

Finally, they need to be good at closing the sales and then they may have to work with the implementation team or Account Managers to make sure that the client is still happy after the sale.

But that is what traditional sales and marketing jobs used to be. Now, there is a whole new paradigm known as selling on the web and traditional sales and marketing skills tend to be less and less important.

That is why a lot of marketing and sales graduates end up not being able to get a job because they don’t have the new skills of selling on the web or internet.

Selling on the web or internet requires a different set of skills including

:

#1: Running a Blog using WordPress or Posterous or any of the other popular blog hosting platforms

#2: Blogging about your products or services

#3: Building a community using Social Media

If you can get these skills, add them to your resume and show them to potential employers, you will be well on your way to getting a marketing and sales job!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2010/12/10/why-sales-marketing-cant-find-jobs-after-college/feed/ 0 Become an Expert Business Analyst or Increase your BA Salary http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/12/become-an-expert-business-analyst-or-increase-your-salary/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/12/become-an-expert-business-analyst-or-increase-your-salary/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:56:51 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=452

increase your ba salary become an expert

increase your BA salary ... become an expert


If You Are Alive, You Want More Money! or you’ve been thinking of ways to increase your salary as a business analyst … yes, you have.

If you’re human and still breathing, what you get paid and how to make more money crosses your mind ever so often.

For good or bad, it is human nature to always want more.

We want more money, more love, more space, more friends and more fun.

This can be a bad thing, if it becomes an obsession that overtakes the desire to do a good job.

On the other hand, the desire for more money drives innovation and provides the motivation to become better at what we do.

The second approach could actually be considered healthy, but it is often ignored on the path to asking for a larger salary.

I have observed computer programmers and business analysts who simply focused on the dollar signs and hopped from job to job and company to company, gaining $1 – $3 per hour salary increases each time.

$3 per hour translates to an additional $6000 per year and that is nothing to sneeze at.

However, that approach is based on a sense of entitlement and neglects the fact that eventually, someone is going to take a good hard look at the value you produce and realize that you’re really not worth it.

So, unless your salary increases are matched by an equal or greater increase in the value you bring to the table or provide to your employer, you will not be able to sustain it!

Don’t Worry About Money, Focus on Expertise

A better, longer-term and more productive way to increase your compensation is to focus on increasing your expertise as a business analyst.

Begin to think in terms of increasing the value you provide to employers.

Answer this question as a reality check … what is your positive impact on the company’s bottom line?

As an employee, you represent a cost to your company: your salary, training and benefits negatively impact your employer’s bottom line unless you provide real-value over and beyond what you are paid!

If you begin to incrementally increase your business analysis expertise and responsibility, your value and expertise will increase and you will as a consequence become more valuable on the job.

As your expertise increases in quantifiable ways, your platform for asking for more money is made sure and fool-proof.

Make it your goal to become an expert business analyst and the money will follow.

What Does an Expert Business Analyst Look Like?

What does it mean to be an expert business analyst?

An expert business analyst is one who easily excels at carrying out the majority of the tasks assigned to them.

Your answer to issues on the job should be “Not a problem. I will implement it right away, 80% of the time or Give me a couple of hours, and I will have an answer for you, the other 20% of the time”.

Do you fit in with this description? If your current daily business analysis tasks and challenges do not lie comfortably within your circle of business and technical competence, you should focus on increasing your ability to solve those problems until it becomes as easy as pie. Then, ask for more money and more responsibility.

Ask yourself, if something suddenly went horribly wrong on your current project, would you have enough depth and breadth of knowledge to quickly find the solution to the problem?

How long would it take you to get the project back on track? Note that a quick turnaround is the mark of the expert business analyst.

Steps to Becoming an Expert Business Analyst

So, how do you become an expert business analyst or add more value to your organization? The key is to expand the tools and techniques you have mastery over through continuous learning.

To be an exceptional business analyst, you need to commit yourself to life-long education and training.

Be willing to run ahead of the curve to learn new techniques and master new skills. Register for Business Analyst training or Seek out mentors and coaches who can lead you into new knowledge areas or master business analyst through your own self study efforts.

If you are really interested in making more money by becoming an expert business analyst, begin by mastering the art of business analysis including:

  1. Requirements Planning
  2. Requirements Elicitation, Analysis and Documentation
  3. Elicitation Tools and Techniques
  4. Requirements Verification and Validation
  5. Business Modeling
  6. UML
  7. Business Case Development
  8. Requirements Change Management
  9. Requirements Baseline Management
  10. Agile Software Development
  11. Much more …

Click Here to Learn More About Becoming An Expert Business Analyst …


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/01/12/become-an-expert-business-analyst-or-increase-your-salary/feed/ 0 Benefits of Becoming A Computer Programmer Part 2 http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/11/benefits-of-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-2/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/11/benefits-of-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-2/#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2007 20:55:38 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/11/benefits-of-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-2/

Since this website (IT Career Coach) is about careers, it makes sense for me to discuss at some point, the benefits of becoming a computer programmer.

So, I will continue along the lines set by part 1 of benefits of becoming a computer programmer, by discussing further, the advantages or benefits of choosing a career in computer programming.

1. Lots of different companies hire computer programmers

Computer programmers are employed in virtually every industry including entertainment, medical or financial industries, and they enjoy the same perks and privileges that employees in these other occupations do. That’s one of the benefits of working in the software development industry; you are exposed to a number of different industries without being required you to make huge shifts in your own skill-sets.

That’s part of why I got into computer programming says Brad, a Microsoft .Net developer in Denver, Colorado. Brad worked for a healthcare provider for 4 years, before transitioning to a financial services firm last year. I’m still doing .NET software development work, but the data I work with is completely different, the users have very different requirements, and the systems my stuff interacts with are completely different.

So while I’m still doing what I love, it’s in a totally new environment, and it’s all fresh again, and the challenge is back.

2. Future job demand for computer science is likely to skyrocket

One frequently mentioned aspect of the future US job market is the coming wave of retirements, as the baby-boomer generation (people born between 1946 and 1964) start exiting the workforce. To put it in perspective, the baby boomer generation is calculated at 76 million people; that?s out of a population of roughly 300 million, meaning that the baby boomers represent about one-quarter of the entire US population.

In fact, this retirement exodus from the workforce has already begun, as over over-60 workers begin retirement this year, and additional numbers will follow. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, anticipates the demand for computer programming jobs to increase by a whooping 35-40% by the year 2014, less than 7 years from now, and the baby boomer retirement wave will not complete until some time in the 2020′s.

The reality is, these numbers aren’t fudged, and they can’t be made to go away either because aging is aging. And as the senior workers begin to exit the workforce, younger workers will move into their positions.

The problem is that the baby boomer generation created the single largest generation of workers and computer programmers, in the history of the United States, and the skills shortfall created by their retirement can’t be filled by the current number of computer programmers in the US, unless the current generation of workers find ways to upgrade their technical skills and get into the software developement industry quickly.

3. Career paths for computer programmers are also likely to expand in the future

Closely related to the last point is that, as technology expands into virtually every part of the business enterprise, so will the roles and usefulness of computer programmers. Gone are the days of computer programmers working together in a forgotten corner of the enterprise, toiling for days on end in anonymity.

Also gone are the days of simply writing Cobol code for in-house mainframe applications. Most corporations and industries have woken up to the use of technology, and adoption continues and increases year after year. Computer programmers today are asked to develop applications for data analysis, security, wireless communications, web-based marketing tools, and a wide range of other uses.

Also, more and more disciplines are realizing that technical skills make sense in their departments as well. A marketing exec with programming skills and who can design applications directly is more valuable than one who has to rely on IT to understand and prioritize marketing’s application needs.

Therefore, those who can take their programming skills and apply to it, a greater understanding of the larger business enterprise are more marketable, will be compensated more than those who aren’t.

4. Computer programming experience and knowledge is portable to other professions

In the end, computer programming is all about problem solving. The ability to take a set of business requirements, and create a solution that meets those requirements is what computer programmers do. Computer programming requires problem solving and analytical skills, combined with a stubborn desire to see a problem through to resolution.

Those who have of develop the ability to do this are hand picked for choice assignments and are compensated and promoted accordingly.

So, you will fare well as a computer programmer, if you enjoy analyzing real-world problems and solving them.

5. How many jobs give you the chance to really change the world?

It might sound cliche, but the chance to change the world is something a lot of people look for in their careers. People want to know that their work isn’t just mind-numbing and bureaucractic, and that they’re doing something that positively impacts their company or their world.

Want proof of the impact computer programmers can have on the world? Look no further than Google, the Internet and Email, without which you will still be writing letters by hand and without which you wouldn’t be able to search for information on any topic and get results or answers within a second fom a computer in your home.

This ends my two post series on “why you should consider a career in computer programming” or the “benefits of becoming a computer programmer“.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/11/benefits-of-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-2/feed/ 2 Reasons for Becoming A Computer Programmer Part 1 http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/06/reasons-for-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-1/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/06/reasons-for-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-1/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:02:52 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/06/reasons-for-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-1/

The last ten years has seen a dramatic increase in the job openings for computer programmers in the US or worldwide, as global demand for skilled computer programmers out-paced the supply. I would like to show you the benefits of this strong global demand for computer programmers.

Before you decide on a career, it’s a good idea to investigate the career and understand what you’re getting into or what the career has to offer you. Here are a few reasons why computer programming is worth your consideration.

1. The demand for computer programmers is increasing

Outsourcing which is a concern for many professionals has been offset by the growth in Information Technology and computer programming. Outsourcing as a trend reached its peak during the recessionary years following 2001, and then leveled off in recent years

.

The fact is, the days of major outsourcing initiatives are gone and a number of the previously out-sourced tech jobs are moving back onshore to the US. In fact, a recent study commissioned by the federal government discovered that the technology sector gained 147,000 new positions in 2006, even with outsourcing, a gain of 59,600 jobs over 2005.

Keep in mind that the average unemployment rate for computer programmers which was 2.5% in 2006 or about half the national average represents a significant shortage of qualified computer programmers. Any time unemployment in the US falls below ~3%, it’s considered over-employment, because 3% is made up of people who are voluntarily unemployed.

2. Experienced computer programmers have increased job security

Once you have real skills and experience in the computer programming industry, your job security increases. This happens because you become indispensable to the company where you work, or your skills and experience become valuable enough that it doesn’t really matter what happens to any one job.

The fact is that, while the tools used by computer programmers change, such as the languages they code with and the platforms they code on, the fundamentals of a programming don’t.

You might code an application differently in Java as compared to C#, for example, but the software application and its uses are the same, as are the types of business problems you need to solve. And once you have a base set of skills, and add the experience of problem solving and design in real-world environments, your skills become valuable and portable.

While the programming language you master may change, and your continuous education is a requirement for remaining in the computer programming industry, your real-world experience combined with programming skills is valued like gold.

3. Computer programmers continue to enjoy very competitive salaries.

The average starting salary for beginner computer programmer can reach $45,000, the average salary for experienced computer programmers can reach $90,250, based on a recent report issued by the Robert Half Corporation. This represents an increase of 5.1% over the previous year. Compare that with, say, the average salary for entry level accountants ($33,250 to $39,250) and experienced accountants ($48,000 to $72,250), respectively.

And this doesn’t take into account the compensation paid to contract programmers. Contract programmers are exposed to more technical and financial risks because of the temporary nature of their work and are compensated at a higher level than full-time or employee computer programmers.

By way of comparison, a contract programmer can earn an average of 25-50% higher pay than a permanent employee performing the same work. A contract programmer can convert and become a permanent full-time employee if both the employer and contract programmer want the conversion to happen.

4. Compensation for computer programmers can get extremely lucrative

Added to the base salary most computer programmers enjoy is the possibility of making truly amazing amounts of cash. Historically, technology has been the best place to create wealth. Of course, over the years the definition of the term technology has changed, from railroads to cars, to oil production, to airplanes, and so forth.

Today, technology refers to Information Technology including computer hardware and software development. The major fortunes of the past 2 decades were created in the technology industry, especially in the software development industry. It only takes one look at the world’s richest person, Bill Gates, to understand the potential of combining computer programming skills with timing and business sense to make truly vast sums of money.

Even if you don’t start your own Microsoft or Google, there are plenty of ways to create significant wealth as a computer programmer. You can, for example, make considerable amounts of extra money by consulting and freelancing, in addition to your day job. Established freelancers and consultants may bill or earn significantly higher wages for their services while enjoying the flexibility of working on projects they truly care about.

Contract programmers typically earn a higher rate of pay, usually in the 24-50% range for longer term projects, 50-100+% higher for shorter-term projects and enjoy a greater range of flexibility in terms of working hours and types of job they accept.

5. Computer programming is an excellent gateway to rewarding business careers.

One of the strengths about computer programming is the exposure to many other occupations. The truth is that most of the functions in a business enterprise, including marketing and accounting, value team members who have computer programming skills. Since this enables them to use software technology effectively without depending on other departments.

For example, marketing departments employ computer programmers to gather and analyze customer data or develop marketing campaign software applications. Accounting and finance departments employ computer programmers to create or modify accounting, data mining and financial analysis applications.

Computer programmers who are exposed to multi-disciplines gain more business experience and marketability. According to a recent study by InfoWorld Magazine, the most desirable trait employers are looking for today is someone with technical skills, who can diversify into and interact with other business departments and disciplines.

As the workplace changes and technology becomes more integrated into corporate America, computer programming offers you an excellent base for launching or expanding your horizon and career.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/08/06/reasons-for-becoming-a-computer-programmer-part-1/feed/ 1 The Job Of A Computer Programmer http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/18/the-job-of-a-computer-programmer/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/18/the-job-of-a-computer-programmer/#comments Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:00:25 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/18/the-job-of-a-computer-programmer/

A few days ago, I granted an interview to a student writing a research paper on The job of a computer programmer. During the interview, I was given ten questions to answer about careers and jobs in computer programming. I’ve decided to post my replies, since a lot of people will benefit from it. You will find this entire interview interesting.

Please read it for your own benefit.

1. How did you get into the field of computer programming?

While studying chemical engineering in college, I observed that my friends studying computer science were having more fun than me. For example, they had part-time jobs working for companies; the entrepreneurial minded ones had founded small software development firms and were creating practical, useable, real world applications.

So, I befriended them and after college, a friend helped me interview for a technical sales job at a computer networking and software development firm.

2. What do you do on a daily basis?

On a daily basis, I do one of the following:

  • Design or Architect Software Applications, Websites, Databases.

  • Write code for both Intranet and Internet applications, Web Sites, Web Services and other software applications.

  • I document code or write technical documentation for existing or new software applications.

  • I train and mentor people who want to become a programmer or master computer programming.

  • I support or maintain existing software application code.

  • I write about my life and career as a software developer.

  • I analyze and document requirements for new software projects.

  • I plan and manage the development effort of software projects.

3. What is the average introductory salary for a computer programmer?

The average introductory salary for a computer programmer varies. It depends on your country and state of residence, the programming languages, programming experience, negotiation skills and whether you are a full-time or contract programmer. For Saint Louis, USA, I will say it is about $65,000 to $70,000.

4. What are the pros for a career in computer programming?

There are lots of pros. It will take a book to mention or discuss it all, but here are a few:

  • Top pay for computer programmers. Computer programmers can earn a high salary easily. This is because programmers are judged by their ability to get the job done. That means that if you are capable of pushing yourself to do hard study, you can earn six figures in no time. In so many other careers, you can’t up your earnings by $20k to $40 k within a single year because your remuneration is not tied to your performance but to your age, experience and other implacable factors.

  • High demand for computer programmers. There are thousands of jobs listed on job sites like Monster.com for computer programmers. There are jobs everywhere on local newspapers, job boards, and local recruiting fairs. There are so many programmer job vacancies that programmers from several nations are courted and recruited worldwide to work in countries like USA, Canada, Australia.

  • Self Actualization. The need for us to do meaningful work that fulfills us is core to what makes us human. Computer programmers have that opportunity because their work is highly creative and they are highly remunerated. Computer programmers also get to use their mind, personal vision, talents, creativity, skills and initiative at work every day. There are always bugs to quash, new software applications to visualize and develop as well as human and business needs to be satisfied. Furthermore because there’s no cookie-cutter approach to programming, your personal ability, creativity and hard-work will always be appreciated and rewarded.

5. What are the cons of a career in computer programming?<

The major con of being a professional computer programmer is that:

  • You spend a lot of time with computers and technology. If you don’t like working with technology that much, you may begin to dislike your career. Also, you may end up spending more time working with computers than talking to people. Again, some people can handle this and others can’t.

  • Another con is that computer programming is a fast paced career. New technologies and programming languages are being released yearly which make your current skills partially or completely obsolete. So you have to be constantly learning new technology or your career becomes extinct.

6. What are the recent trends for computer programming careers?

Some of the major trends I’ve noticed is a shift towards object-oriented programming, a shift towards web programming, a shift away from windows programming, a shift towards test driven development, a shift towards better software design and a shift towards mobile software application development.

7. What are the hours for a computer programmer?

A computer programmer typically works a full 9 am to 5pm, 40 hour week. Additional time needs to be set aside to study and stay abreast of technology.

8. Would you recommend a career in computer programming and why?

Read my earlier comments on the pros of a career in computer programming to see the reasons why I recommend a career in computer programming.

9. What is your advice for someone interested in a career in computer programming?

Don’t let the lack of a college degree, your age or the educational conditions existing in your country or state of residence stop you from becoming a computer programmer because none of these is a real barrier. Begin by reading how to master computer programming and get high-paying software development jobs easily to discover the steps you need to take to become a professional software developer.

Next, if you can, begin your programming career early in life, because your investment in programming skills and experience will work for you and before you know it, you are a top-paid consultant. Finally, don’t let anybody or anything deter you from pursuing your career in computer programming because, programming is not as hard as people make it to be. If the fear of the unknown, stops you from pursuing a career in computer programming, conquer your fear and discover a bright new world waiting for you as you begin a career in computer programming

.

10. Are there opportunities for advancement in a programming career?

Yes. You can start and become a mid-level programmer, senior software developer, software architect, software manager, IT director, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), etc. If you are a contract programmer, you can advance by increasing your billing rate, finding challenging work or contracting for new clients.

How To Learn Programming Easily and Get Hired Fast!
The Faster, Easier, Less Expensive Way To Learn Computer Programming and Get A Job.

If you enjoyed reading this post and will like to be notified when I publish another news article, please join my free computer programming career newsletter.

About the Author

Kingsley Tagbo is a Software Developer, a Computer Programming Coach and Author of How to Master High Paying, Highly Sought-After Computer Programming Skills Easily and Quickly. Kingsley’s book “The Street Smart Guide to High Paying Computer Programmer Careers” teaches you how to develop and leverage your ability to master high paying computer programming skills easily.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/18/the-job-of-a-computer-programmer/feed/ 2 The Secret Path To Contract Programming http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/16/the-secret-path-to-contract-programming/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/16/the-secret-path-to-contract-programming/#comments Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:00:38 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/16/the-secret-path-to-contract-programming/

Who is a contract programmer?

A contract programmer is a software developer who is paid an hourly rate for working on special software development projects for a period. Contract computer programmers are not paid salaries like full-time developers but hourly wages.

Contract programmers tend to be very project focused because they are hired to solve specific problems or code specific features and as soon as that is done, they have to move on to another project or find a new client.

Contract programmers are independent software developers who work with clients on a project-to-project basis. The relationship between a contract programmer and a client lasts as long as the client has a steady stream of work. What usually happens is that as soon as the client can’t find any work or the work starts dwindling down, the client initiates the process to end the relationship.

Contract computer programmers are not supposed to form strong emotional bonds or ties to their clients unlike their full-time colleagues because the nature of their work is temporary. That is why contract programmers are sometimes called temporary workers.

Contract programmers are specialists, experts and master craftsmen. When a client hires a contract computer programmer, the client expects to find a master programmer who will hit the ground running. This separates contract programmers from full-time software developers and the master craftsmen from the wannabe contract programmers.

A contract programmer is expected to start churning out high quality code, fixing bugs, improving their clent’s software and generally justifing their high pay by solving important problems within a few hours or days of starting work. Unlike full-time software developers who may take 6 months to 1 year to prove themselves, contract programmers who haven’t mastered their art well-enough to make a difference are usually dropped like hot potatoes by their clients.

Contract programmers may be W2 contract programmers or 1099 contract programmers. The difference lies with how their taxes are filed with the IRS.

The W2 contract programmer is paid by a recruiting agency that is also responsible for withholding taxes and providing liability insurance. Many recruiting agencies will also provide medical, dental and 401K benefits.

On the other hand, 1099 contract programmers, generally known as free-lancers, pay their taxes to the IRS and provide their own medical, dental and 401K insurance.

A contract programmer has the liberty of working as a W2 contract programmer with one firm and a 1099 contract programmer with another firm.

How long do contract programming projects last?

Contract programming projects typically last from a month to 5 years. The trend is towards fewer months and higher billing rates. The typical duration is 3 months, 6 months or 1 year.

How much do contract computer programmers bill?

Contract programmers typically bill anywhere from $50 per hour to $200 per hour.

What factors determine the contract programmer’s billing rate?

The factors that determine a contract programmers billing rate include:

1. Experience: The more experienced a contract programmer is, the more the contract programmer can charge

2. Demand: Some computer programming skills are in high-demand while others are not. So contract programmers who master computer programming skills that are in high-demand can bill at a higher rate than others

3. Client: The compensation provided for the same programming skills can vary widely by client with no other explanation other than one client having more money than the other

Who should be a contract programmer?

Contract programming makes sense for computer programmers who love to be independent or who do not want to climb the corporate ladder. It is also good for those individuals who want to make more money than is found in regular full-time software development. Finally, it works for those who can use their down-time in between projects to sharpen their computer programming skills, pursue other hobbies or take vacations.

What is the future or outlook for contract programmers?

The future is bright for contract programmers as more companies are trending towards out-sourcing their software development projects to temporary staffing firms or recruiting agencies that in turn out-source the programming work to contract programmers. Contract computer programmers are considered to be expert, highly-skilled craftsmen and their opinions and expertise are valued at client sites They are also paid significantly more money and do not have to stand inline or beg for a pay raise when they work for it.

How do you become a contract programmer?

The critical skills needed for a successful contract programming career are:

  1. Expert programming skills

  2. Well-crafted resume

  3. Effective job interviewing skills

  4. Aggressive Resume Marketing

Read this previous post titled “The keys of a successful computer programmer career” to learn more about these keys.

If you have these skills in abundance, you will do well in contract programming. If you don’t or will like to develop them, you should read “How to become a master contract programmer” or CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY IN A FEW MINUTES.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/07/16/the-secret-path-to-contract-programming/feed/ 0 3 Keys Of Successful Computer Programmer Careers http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/23/3-keys-of-successful-computer-programmer-careers/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/23/3-keys-of-successful-computer-programmer-careers/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:50:54 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/23/3-keys-of-successful-computer-programmer-careers/

Your technology, resume and interviewing skills are the 3 keys that drive your computer programming career.

If you are formula minded, you can express my career determining statement as:

TECHNOLOGY + RESUME + INTERVIEWING SKILLS = SUCCESSFUL COMPUTER PROGRAMMER

Here is how the computer programming industry works:

  1. Technology: Your choice of programming language can make or break your career. If you choose a programming language that’s not in-demand like COBOL, your career is PRETTY MUCH dead. If you choose a programming language that’s in high demand like Java or C# your career is headed for the STARS.

    After you choose a programming language, your next critical task is to master it. Put together, your programming language and technical mastery determine how relevant your programming skills are to recruiters and employers.

  2. Resume: Your resume must be in tip-top shape if you want to get invitations for job interviews, regardless of your programming skills. You won’t even be considered for many good job openings unless your resume does a pretty good job of marketing you. Without a good resume, you will get fewer job interviews and fewer opportunities to get hired. And it’s also pretty darn hard to negotiate a good salary or billing rate using a bad resume.

  3. Job Interviewing Skills: Finally, you need to sharpen your technical interviewing skills so you can convince employers that you’re as good as your resume says. In other words, if your resume markets you as a rock star, talented programmer and your interviewing skills suck, you’ll lose out on many job interviews.

I have given you the 3 keys to computer programming careers. Use these keys to get programming jobs, make more money and accelerate your programmer career.

Click here to learn more about using these 3 keys to accelerate your computer programming career.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/04/23/3-keys-of-successful-computer-programmer-careers/feed/ 0 Discover Money From High Paying Careers http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/22/discover-money-from-high-paying-careers/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/22/discover-money-from-high-paying-careers/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:48:24 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/22/discover-money-from-high-paying-careers/

Why do some careers pay significantly higher salaries than other careers? And what do top paid professionals including doctors, lawyers and computer programmers have in common that makes them earn significantly higher income than other lower-paid professionsals?

The one thing that top paying careers have in common, are skills that fetch top dollars in the marketplace. Simply stated, how much you earn after a hard day’s work is determined by the market value of your career.

What do you know about low paid jobs, Kingsley? You are a contract programmer with a decade of skills and experience aren’t you?

What do I know about low paid jobs you ask? I will tell you what I do know. Before I became a contract programmer in Tulsa, I was working an $8/hr. sales job which I hated ever minute of.

I had to clock-in to begin work and then clock-out at the end of my 8-hour shift. I had to clock-in and clock-out to go to the restroom. I was on the phone fielding calls every minute of the day. I couldn’t play my radio or talk to my next cube neighbor because there was literally no break in between the phone calls.

How I hated those days. Finally I couldn’t take it and I quit. And within 6 months I was making $76,000/yr. as a contract programmer in the same city. So, don’t ask me what I know about low paid jobs. I have been there, done that and bagged a t-shirt okay!

You now have good evidence that your income is set by your choice of career don’t you?

You are not really a stranger to this fact of life are you? That your ability to comfortably pay your bills, take vacations, pay your home mortgage, buy new cars, provide medical benefits and take care of your family is affected by the career you choose!

We both know that in all careers, there are top performers who earn significantly more than most of their colleagues and under performers who earn significantly less than most of their careers. I am not referring to these over or under performers, but to the Jane Doe who earns an average salary.

You can make an informed guess on what people earn from their line of work can’t you? So, imagine for a moment how much your neighbor earns for a living working as:

  • a school teacher in South Carolina

  • a waiter in Bronx, New York

  • an investment banker in Saint Louis, Missouri

  • a high school graduate in Madison, Wisconsin

What does this tell you? It is illogical, unreasonable and statistically weird to expect a high income from a career that typically pays low wages. It is like expecting apples to grow on orange trees. It rarely happens because if you really want to eat apples, you have to look on apple trees and if you want oranges you have to pick orange trees.

So to earn a higher pay, escape the minimum wage trap or make more money than you are making now, you need to begin a high paying career right about now.

But you say that changing to a high paying career is not easy because:

  1. Most top paying careers have stringent, required educational exams. There are requirements for examinations, certifications, and years of schooling in medicine and law

  2. Preparing for top paying careers requires many years of classroom education. Years that may not be spent earning any additional income

  3. Going to school to learn a top paying career can be expensive. Tuition costs can run into six figures and may require taking on hard to pay back debt

  4. Not all students who can afford high tuition costs for top paying careers can be admitted. Because of the pre-defined, limited number of credentialed and certified academic institutions, competition is usually very high among prospective students and only a minority of applicants can be accepted

  5. And if you weren’t near or at the top of your class in high school, your chances of being accepted into a top paying course in college or university is limited by stiff competition from your fellow high school students with better academic scores than you.

Enter computer programmer careers. The one hidden top paying career that still provides a steady dependable source of job wealth, high income and top pay. A hidden career thanks to the common myths lies and mis-conceptions spread about the career.

THE TRUTH ABOUT COMPUTER PROGRAMMER CAREERS

  1. There are no stringent, required or mandatory exams that must be passed to practice computer programming. You don’t need to be registered, certified or degreed to begin a programmer career.

  2. You don’t need formal classroom education to begin programming. You don’t have to spend years learning programming without earning an income and you can begin programming today and start earning an income in as little as 3 to 8 months depends on your motivation.

  3. You don’t have to pay for any expensive sort of education before you can begin programming. Of course you have to invest in resources for learning programming, but at a small fraction of what you will have to spend to learn other top paying careers.

  4. You are not disqualified from beginning programming because of your past or present academic performance, and I mean absolutely not. Even if you only have a high school diploma or a non-technical college degree, you can begin programming, if you simply want to.

  5. And you can learn programming from any location, at your own pace and convenient time. There are no rules for learning, no set exams to take and additional classroom education is completely optional. You can begin your computer programmer career at home, in your spare time by just studying 1 to 2 hours a day or a few hours per week

Now, you understand that your choice of career locks-in how much you earn. And you understand that most top paying careers have difficult or hard entry requirements, certifications and courses except computer programming.

Finally, you realize that there are no rules on how to begin programming because being a programmer is simply about learning how to write good, quality software code.

Dear friend, away with the lies, mis-conceptions and myths that have stopped you from beginning your programmer career and start your exciting new journey to learn programming with me. A decade ago, I changed careers to computer programming and today

I am here to help you do the same. Don’t hesitate, just act and take me up on the offer today.


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/22/discover-money-from-high-paying-careers/feed/ 0 Beginning Computer Programming http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/10/beginning-computer-programming/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/10/beginning-computer-programming/#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2007 12:39:30 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/10/beginning-computer-programming/

Beginning computer programming can be difficult.

Even after getting hired beginner computer programmers may get the short end of the stick in matters ranging from compensation, training, and exposure to high profile projects and clients, peer respect, choice of technology, pecking order, holiday time and benefits.

There are several reasons why beginner programmers find it hard to get programming jobs or harder to find good career positions even after they are hired. Here are a few:

  1. Lack of experience: Yes, lack of strong industry experience will keep aspiring beginner programmers looking for work longer than they should. And even after they are hired they may be relegated to positions with no real prospects for career advancement.

  2. Lack of negotiation skills: Negotiation skills which are usually not taught at programming classes are critical to beginning computer programming. Because beginner programmers lack the skills to negotiate a better pay, more challenging programming projects and choice of technology their career suffers as they wait for something good to happen for them.

    However the relationship between you as a beginner programmer and your employer is that of an adult-to-adult relationship. Meaning that your employer expects you to look after your own interests.

  3. Weak Job Search Skills: Beginning computer programming jobs are often chosen out of fear, lack of self-confidence and lack of market insight.

    What is a beginner programmer to do? The first offer on the table is grabbed by the desperate, tired and stressed-out beginner programmer who’s intimidated and overwhelmed by their job search.

    As a result, beginner programmers may be stuck with under-paying, unfavorable jobs for several years until their career becomes un-livable.

  4. Low self confidence: We have all been there. You are hired and given the tag junior level or entry level programmer. This tag becomes how your fellow programmers see you and therefore how you see yourself.

    Even though you may be capable of performing at the same level as other mid-level or senior level programmers in your firm. If you believe the tag beginner, entry level, junior or novice programmer, you give someone else the power to tell you what you can and cannot do.

    And you lose that fundamental ability of a human, “the ability to self-determine one’s own destiny“.

Do you see what is going on here?

Beginning computer programming can also be challenging because beginner programmers often lack the ability to pain a better picture of their abilities through their resumes, present themselves confidently at technical interviews and negotiate better salaries that are not tied to arbitrary beginner / entry level / junior programmer CAREER TAGS.

While beginning computer programming, I discovered how I could do the same jobs usually referred to senior developers. So, I peeled off the beginning computer programming tags on my career and within 6 months my salary multiplied from $28,000/yr. to $75,000/yr. which is really not bad for starters.

And I amazed when I gete emails from programmers who are paralyzed by their beginning computer programming tag. Here is a recent e-mail. Read it below and see what I mean.

Hi there,

upon reading your article about becoming a programmer I have decided to contact you.

I am working for a web-development company as a trainee.

I have worked for this company for two months now and what was once a passion of mine (web development) has now become my worst nightmare.

Although I am supposed to be a trainee i have received no training what so ever and i am expected to know everything about every language.

When i run into almost imminent problems all the director can do is send me abusive emails where swearing and personal insults are common place.

I am desperate to become a good web-developer and would do anything to become as proficient as my colleagues but this just seems like it will never be the case.

I often study outside work but when i go into the office something else is required of me (just seems like a never ending cycle of doom and gloom).

My probation is up and i will find out if i will be kept on in my role as a “trainee developer”.

This does not add to my motivation neither does my directors abusive emails.

My advice to beginner computer programmers who find their careers in a rut like this is:

  1. Focus on the value you offer. Learn how to value your work by your raw ability to perform on the job and get the work done, nothing else. Think meritocracy and give no place to the self-defeating tags of beginner, entry-level or junior that only seek to restrain your performance.

  2. Improve your skills. You are a computer programmer. What you offer is your programming skills, experience and knowledge. If anyone takes away your ability to learn and improve your programming skills, your career is as good as dead. So, find creative ways to develop your skills fast outside of your office or your career will be over before it even begins.

  3. Think like a pro. Like a professional developer, ensure your resume and technical job interviewing skills stand out.

  4. Negotiate what you want. Begin to form a healthy self-image of yourself and then negotiate like you are serious about your career. When you get the pay you want, accept the offer and do a damn good job. And if you still can’t do a good job, better learn how to

  5. Own your destiny. Begin to act like you are in a free market economy. If you can’t get along with your employer despite your best efforts, simply apply for a position with another employer. There are several reasons why you may not get along with an employer.

    Sometimes, it’s your fault and sometimes it is not. Whatever the reason, don’t give in to fear and stay with a job you hate. Get out, get moving and get hired fast!


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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/03/10/beginning-computer-programming/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 S-I-X figures! Six Figures Programming Job With Two Years Of Computing Experience http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/01/28/s-i-x-figures-six-figures-programming-job-with-two-years-of-computing-experience/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/01/28/s-i-x-figures-six-figures-programming-job-with-two-years-of-computing-experience/#comments Sun, 28 Jan 2007 16:43:34 +0000 ITCareerCoach http://www.it-career-coach.net/2007/01/28/s-i-x-figures-six-figures-programming-job-with-two-years-of-computing-experience/

I’ve been discussing how beginner (novice, entry-level or junior) computer programmers can break-through to high paying computer programming jobs with just a little real world experience.

Do you realize this is how I became a computer programmer? Yes, I landed a break-through $76,000/yr. contract programming job within 6 months of beginning my professional computer programming career in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

Unfortunately, some of my readers still find this hard to believe. I receive questions all the time pointing out why one can not succeed in contract or full-time computer programming this easily. If you are a skeptic, your contrary arguments usually falls into one of these:

  1. You are too old: You believe you are getting too old to begin your programming career ( Read “how your age affects your programming career” ).

  2. You only have a high school education and you think that finding a programming job with just a high school education is impossible.

  3. You don’t have a computer science degree. And you reason that you must have 4 years of computer science education to succeed in programming.

  4. You want to buy your way to success. So, you think you must spend thousands of dollars in expensive classroom education to learn a computer programming language!

  5. You have little real-word experience. And you reason that it’s impossible to find a well paying programming job within a short time of learning programming.

Well, today, you’ll get one more powerful proof that beginner programmers can earn six figures or find a well paying computer programming job with as little as two (2) years computer programming experience.

Well, I receive job postings from recruiters all the time. So, I will post an email I got from one this week. Analyze it, email me about it, refute it, discuss it, do whatever you want with it, and if you are still a skeptic, please take the time to tell me why again :-)

Here is the proof:

Hi Kingsley Tagbo,

I noticed your background and thought that you may be interested in finding out more about the new job opening we have below.

The position is for a C# ASP.NET Developer near Jersey city, NJ.

The job details:

C# / ASP.NET Developer – .NET ProgrammerLocation: Jersey city, NJ or New York,Salary Range: $80,000 – $120,000C# ASP.NET DeveloperWe are an established and growing software firm with clients in the investment banking industry. Due to our growth we are looking to hire and experienced C# , ASP.NET Developer to join our outstanding team.

We need candidates with a great attitude for developing cutting edge products and some experience with developing products for the financial services industry.If you have 2+ years professionals experience in C# and .NET – please apply!

Your background should include:

* 3+ years combined experience in C, C++, C#, or Java.* 2+ years experience with ASP.NET, HTML, DHTML, XML, and JavaScript.* Solid knowledge of relational databases, especially SQL Server.* Proficient in MS Visual Studio 2003/2005.* Familiar with source code control systems.* Bachelors degree in Computer Science or Engineering

What is in it for you:

* We offer a competitive salary* Bonus* Great benefits* Strong long term career opportunities* A fun and exciting work environment and other cool perks!So, if you have 2 or more years developing in C# and ASP.NET and a desire to work in a fast paced, cutting edge environment we want to talk with you, apply today!

Now you’ve read my mail :-) , are you ready to know more about becoming a well-paid, in-demand computer programmer?

And if you’re ready to start earning serious money, enroll for”Online, Software Developer Training” and begin to see how it’s done.


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