Atomic.edu: Getting a Job

Before you look at Seek or Career One's IT sections, read this.

Over the past few months, this here section – your atomic-powered source of all things education and employment-related – has explored issues relevant, mostly, to the reader who’s just beginning or about to begin their tertiary education.

This month, though, were going to skip ahead two or three or maybe four years; or more, even (if you’re planning on becoming a lifelong learner, a professional student) to the part where you, the diploma- or degree-equipped Atomican, set off in search of a job so you can afford the weatherboard house with the white picket fence, a spouse who bakes apple pies, two point five kids and small dog that, if all goes to plan, will be christened Spot. Or Rover.

Finding an appropriate job ad
Before we get into how you, dear fresh-graduate-of-university, go about getting the experience so many employers request, let us make this point; you must be realistic in what you hope to achieve when you finish your studies. Look to entry-level positions. These, by definition, shouldn’t require too much in the way of experience. Many a higher up in the IT industry has started off manning – or womaning, as the case may be – a support desk or testing software.

‘Tis the nature of the game, folks. And, while we’ve got a captive audience, we ought make a second important point. You’ll see many a job ad that requests a degree, knowledge of this or that and a stupid amount of experience. Don’t assume you need all of that to get the job. The employer is merely stating their ideal. Rare is the employer who honestly believes they’ll find someone with all that to their name.

The thousand-yard stare
Employers in the IT industry, much like their counterparts in other fields, place great emphasis on experience. Sure, you’ve just walked out of UNSW or Monash with a neat little document – the ink still damp – that says you’re pretty flash with networks. But here’s a wee slice of reality – someone can have a degree but still not have even half a damn clue about anything. A good many people are completely and utterly and depressingly incapable of taking the theories they’ve garnered from three years of lectures and readings and applying them in the real world.

In short, having professional experience – something that tells employers that yeah, you’re capable of coping in a situation where the problems are actually tangible – is as important as any piece of paper. And therein lies the young job seeker’s dilemma. Just how the hell are you meant to get experience if no one’s willing to hire you due to your lack of experience? Your university should be able to help you. A good many degrees complete with anywhere between three and six months’ worth of industry placement. Too, beyond the experience, these internships prove quite the foot in the door when it comes to going for a proper job once you’ve completed your degree.

Furthermore, universities run IT help desks of their own. See if you can get a job at one of them while you study. Working part-time in IT support or a similar position while you’re studying – shit kicking as such a job may be – will place you firmly at the head of the pack when you start to look for full-time employment. And there’s always the option of working unpaid for a few months. Obviously, this option isn’t practical for all – you still need a way of paying for your net connection and breakfast cereal and beer – but it’s worked for many people in the past. Too, some government departments offer cadetships that last anywhere between six and twelve months. These are a great way of building up your resume.

Speak the English
As well as being in possession of a qualification or two and a bit of experience, you must be able to communicate. Note the distinct lack of ideally or should or preferably in that sentence. Any job you get in IT will require more of you than just coding, assembling or installing. You’re going to be required to talk to people, write emails, operate a telephone and produce documentation that can actually be understood by someone who is not you. If you’re a particularly cunning wordsmith or competent public speaker, be sure to mention as much on your resume.

Don’t for a moment think we’re overstating the importance of communication skills here. As forum whore brains pointed out to this writer, almost every applicant for a given position in the IT industry will be more than capable of performing all the technical aspects of the job. Rarer, though, is the applicant who can handle all that stuff and communicate effectively with their co-workers, supervisors and clients. Also, choose your words carefully in your resume and – assuming you get that far – interview. Do not present like an arrogant arsehole. If you come across as a prat, there’s no way any employer’s going to trust you to deal with their valued clients. Meaning you’re not going to get the job.

Think outside the square
Remember, you’re not necessarily going to be working for an IT company. Probably, you’ll just be in the IT department of a business working in some other field – mining or retail or publishing, for instance. It pays to keep in mind that, when going for a job in one of these fields, you’ll be looked upon highly if you are knowledgeable not only about the organisation you’re seeking to join, but the industry itself as well. Depending on where you’re looking, this may mean another qualification, a bit of experience or perhaps just a demonstrated knowledge or interest in the area.

Time to get back out on them corners
A few years ago, many a naysayer was saying nay about the IT industry, making out like it was damn near impossible for anyone – let alone some kid fresh out of UQ – to get a job in it. Times have, thankfully, changed. For the moment, at least, it’s an employees’ market. So long as you’re realistic in what you apply for, are capable of communicating and can figure out a way to get a bit of experience under your belt, you should be able to pick up something.