Information Technology (IT) Career Advice

Choosing a career in IT allows you to work in a fast-paced and innovative industry. The sector has experienced rapid growth over the years, so you have many choices for IT jobs. Working in information technology can include working in IT sales, systems development, or software engineering. There is always a high demand for people, so you will find many choices when it comes to jobs in IT.

Quick Links

How to Work in the Information Technology (IT) sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Information Technology (IT)

Should you wish to work in Information Technology (IT) you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Information Technology (IT) Job

  • 2 to 3 A levels (cyber intelligence officer or head of IT)
  • University degree (cyber intelligence officer or head of IT)
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs (web content manager)
  • Level 3 Diploma in Creative Digital Media (web content manager)
  • Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing (web content manager)

Core Information Technology (IT) Skills

Excellent analytical skills and a desire to keep learning are a great start in an IT career, as the industry moves quickly. Skills with computers and software would be ideal and a specialist IT degree will be required for certain jobs within the IT sector.

If you are looking for a fast-paced career with lots of opportunities, a job in IT is for you.

Key Responsibilities for an Information Technology (IT) Job

  • Developing software to fit customer requirements
  • Creating new source code
  • Implementing new applications
  • Testing code
  • Debugging systems
  • Evaluating existing systems and applications
  • Performing system updates
  • Modifying existing systems to improve efficiency
  • Developing instructions for new systems
  • Training users on new applications

What to expect in an Information Technology (IT) Job

You will usually need some training or qualifications to start a career in information technology. You can choose from various IT courses, and there are IT graduate jobs available to train further as you work. A career in IT will usually involve working in an office environment. It can require long periods working alone developing a project or working with others as part of an IT team.

Recommended Information Technology (IT) Jobs

Loading Jobs...

How to get Information Technology (IT) Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Information Technology (IT) job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Information Technology (IT) application. If you have not held an Information Technology (IT) position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Information Technology (IT) role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Information Technology (IT) CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Information Technology (IT) application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Information Technology (IT) in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Information Technology (IT) 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Information Technology (IT) and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Information Technology (IT) experience.

How to get Information Technology (IT) Experience

What does it take to be an Information Technology (IT)? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Information Technology (IT) jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Information Technology (IT) through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Information Technology (IT) Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Information Technology (IT) part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Information Technology (IT) or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Information Technology (IT) freelance work

If you have impressive Information Technology (IT) qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.