There is no denying that landing an IT job does rely on possessing the right technical skills. Otherwise, you will struggle to keep up with the day to day demands of the job. However, landing an IT job isn’t just about technical skills and experience. There are actually a lot of other skills that could help you to secure a job in the IT industry.
Below, we have taken a look at some of the lesser known skills that are likely to benefit you in the world of IT. Luckily, a lot of these skills are those that you will naturally have, rather than skills you need to learn.
Skills That Could Help You Land an IT Job
Organisation - Regardless of the exact IT job that you want, organisation is key. Being organised helps you to be efficient and productive at work, both of which are necessary in IT. When you are organised, it’s a lot easier to keep on top of tasks, and move from one project to another. You will need to keep track of your schedule, tasks, projects and the demands of other people in the company. The more organised you are, the easier this becomes.
Creativity - A lot of people underestimate the importance of creativity in IT, as it’s not technically a ‘creative’ industry. However, coming up with innovative ideas and using technology in an effective way does require you to look at things from a creative standpoint. Otherwise, how else will you find new and improved ways of doing things? If you have been tasked with coming up with a business solution, you will need to utilise your creative abilities to come up with something that others aren’t able to.
Management - There’s a lot that goes into working in IT, regardless of the specific job role you have. You will be required to manage a variety of projects, tasks and deadlines at the same time, and so management skills are vital. This will help you to impress in the workplace, as you will be able to manage your workload and keep on top of what’s required of you. Juggling a multitude of demands can be challenging, but good management skills makes everything easier and more likely to succeed.
Analytical - Working in IT requires you to solve problems and find solutions, which requires you to have analytical abilities. Being analytical allows you to find issues, get to the root of the problem and come up with a solution. If you have good analytical abilities, you are likely to be an asset to any IT team, especially if you can see problems occurring before they actually arise.
Communication - There’s a lot of need for communication in the IT industry, which is why it’s such an important skill. You will need to communicate with employers and colleagues, and understand the IT issues that they are facing. Though a job in IT is likely to have its solitary moments, working in a team is important too, and this will require you to communicate effectively with people of all seniority levels. Of course, this doesn’t simply mean talking and conversing with others, it also means written communication skills and communicating via email.
Problem Solving - Jobs in IT are ideal for those who enjoy problem solving, especially if finding solutions to problems is something that you thrive in. There’s always something that needs solving in IT, whether that’s a colleague’s troublesome computer or a business system that just doesn’t seem to be working in the way it should. With good problem solving skills, you become a valuable part of any IT team.
As you can see, these personal attributes and natural abilities - which are often referred to as being ‘soft’ skills - can make a big difference in the IT industry. Whether you are going to an entry level role or something a lot more senior, the skills listed above could be what makes you a more desirable candidate than others.