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If you had to guess how long it takes for a recruiter to review your resume and decide it you are a fit or not, how much time would you guess?

It’s no secret that the IT industry is a fast paced, ever-changing industry fueled by bright minds and constant innovation.  It’s also no secret that the managers responsible for facilitating that innovation and developing those bright minds play an important role in the overall development of the entire industry. These individuals are required to handle many different duties including hiring, training, employee development, project management, and budgeting,  to name a few.  Being involved in so many different areas can require managers to devise solutions to problems that arise from all directions. 

Synergis and Other TechBridge Supporters Continue Commitment to Community Through 8th Annual Technology Community Habitat for Humanity House Build

Finding IT talent for your department or company can be overwhelming.  Job postings, going through resumes, interviewing and making the ultimate decision to hire someone is a lot of work.  And after that's all done, you have retention to worry about!

I clearly remember signing up for my first college classes the summer after my senior year of high school. It was hot, very hot, and Auburn University’s College of Agriculture’s air conditioner didn’t seem to be working. I felt panicked and stressed thinking about starting my first college semester and the difficult work load ahead of me. Fast forward four years and I’m sitting in Auburn University’s College of Business signing up for my last college classes ever. As it turns out I switched from Veterinary Science - Microbiology just wasn’t for me. I remember the last time I signed up for classes because it was such a stark contrast to the very first time. Now it was January and cold and rainy outside. The panic and stress I felt wasn’t about the work load or classes I was going to take, it was about the big question: What do I want to be when I grow up?

In the highly competitive IT industry, making yourself stand out can be the most important aspect of getting hired over the other candidates. There are many ways to differentiate yourself against the competition, but holding specific and relevant technical certifications can be the most important factor hiring managers look for when selecting candidates to fill their open positions.    

According to a recent study from Dice.com, 40% of IT consultants claimed that obtaining a certain certification helped them get hired in their current position.  Holding specific certifications allows consultants to show dedication and expertise in specific subject matters, and also gives the hiring manager more confidence that the consultant is fully qualified for the position.  So, now that you know how beneficial a certification can be, which ones are most sought after by hiring managers?

Becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) could provide the best opportunity for you to land in a very important and lucrative position.  Project Manager was already the most posted job on Monster.com in 2011, and a PMP certification is currently the most frequently desired certification on Dice.com.  The average salary for a Project Manager is already $104,000, and adding a PMP certification raises the average to $120,000.  
 

If you’re an information security professional with at least 5 years of relevant experience, you can become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).  The certification is obtained through The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2, and is a globally recognized certification.  If you would still like to become certified but don’t have the required experience, an Associate of (ISC)2 can be obtained in the meantime. 

For IT service providers, an Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification can be of major benefit.  ITIL best practices claim to “provide guidance to organizations on how to use IT as a tool to facilitate business change, transformation and growth.”  Embracing ITIL best practices can facilitate a higher average salary (around $110,000) and also increase your attractiveness for future job opportunities.
 

Other certifications that can expand your attractiveness as a candidate include a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), or MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional).  Depending on your field of expertise, many different opportunities are available to further your skills and become a more attractive candidate during your job search.  

If you’re a human resource professional, reviewing resumes and conducting phone screens is second nature.  Unfortunately, determining qualified candidates for specialized technical positions usually proves to be more difficult than for other positions. 

Technical interviews are not like regular interviews.  Sure, the interviewer might ask you the usual "Tell me about yourself" or "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?", but there is so much more to it than that. You have to be ready for those questions, behavioral questions and technical questions!

We've been making countless posts how well the IT Industry is doing currently: Multiple Job Offers? 3 Steps To Accepting The Right One and Industry Update:The Growing Need of IT.  If you haven't gotten the point yet, IT is doing great!  And is projected to keep growing.

It seems people always have advice to give on how to write a perfect resume or ace your interview, but not many people seem to have any tips for you about how to act once you’ve actually GOT the job.  Starting your first day of work can be almost as nerve-racking as the actual job interview, and knowing how to act and what to expect when you do finally start your new job is an important aspect that seems to be often overlooked.  Expectations can vary among companies and industries, but there are a few general guidelines that should apply to most employees on their first day of work. The following are 4 things to do to make sure your first day of work is a successful one: