Through this series, we've heard from managers at a consulting firm on why they hire, gotten the skinny on IT hiring from a top recruiter, and learned how to use your resume and interview tactics to best impress all of the characters you'll encounter in the hiring process.
In this final piece, I've compiled notes from a dozen responses and interviews I've had since this series started, and am presenting the definitive list of the most critical skills needed to succeed in IT (and in many cases, in any career).
Business/Economics
Like any trade in a capitalist society, IT serves the role of business. Make no mistake: you must understand business and economics to succeed in IT. OK, if you're an MIT alumnus super genius, you can probably get away with simply doing/creating super complex concepts and processes and letting everyone else figure out what to do with it. But for the rest of us, understanding business is critical to success.
Where to start: If you're currently working, you have a great source of learning about business—your current organization. Take great interest in all those big boring corporate strategy meetings. Understand the business and what your company needs to succeed. Make friends with salespeople.
Even if you're not currently employed, there's a lot you can do. I won't suggest taking business classes because I know cost is kicker, but do immerse yourself in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and even marketing-focused sites like Marketing Professionals. It might seem odd, but given that marketing is the fundamental communication tool for business (it's a lot more than just advertising), understanding marketing is understanding business in many ways. Books about starting a new business are also great resources (even if you don't want to start your own business), because you need to grasp all the fundamentals of business to launch a startup.
Problem Solving/Critical Thinking
"A train is traveling from Seattle to Phoenix at 55 miles per hour…"
That was a joke. Problem solving might hearken back to 5th grade mathematics, but it's a whole lot more. Being able to be approached with a problem, and then have the drive, focus, and critical thinking skills to outline the problem, research it, and solve it, is one of the most critical skills an employee can have. And in IT, no amount of experience can prepare you for every possible situation that can arise, so you need to demonstrate to a potential or current employer that you're capable of analyzing a problem and driving a solution. This is a skill that many people in the current workforce lack, and its importance cannot be overstated.
Where to start: Browse technical forums and try your hand at solving complex problems, including those outside your range of expertise. Go to Amazon.com, search 'problem solving', and peruse the books out there. Find something that sounds interesting and valuable. And as a last tip, try your hand at Yahoo! Chess when you have some free time, or visit your local game store and play some strategy-focused board games or card games. You'd be amazed how well these games can cultivate critical-thinking skills.
Technical Expertise
This might seem like a no brainer, but technical expertise is an essential to your success. Just as you can't get into your local grocery store without a pair of shoes and t-shirt, you can't get anywhere in the job market without a base of technical experience.
Where to start: If you're new to IT and want to move into the field because you "like computers," save yourself some time and get the education you need first. Find a technical college that offers virtual labs or start working on relevant certifications (preferably both). As for those that are already experienced in IT, don't stop learning new skills and technologies. Research the new and upcoming software programs in your field, and learn everything you can about them. Read technical sites for continuing education. Get additional certifications. You get the point.
On page two we'll cover the final two skills.