How to prepare to complete job application and pass skills test for IT Computer Support Job

by | Dec 19, 2017 | Get hired for your first IT Job, Information Technology job interview, information technology program, Interview

Preparing for a career in the Information Technology field is rather straight forward. There is preparation you can do to make it even smoother. When filling out a job application it is important to know everything that is going to be asked on the application and how to fill it out. There are online (email or upload) applications as well as physical applications. Most will just ask simple questions about you and have a response section. Some require a resume to be submitted along with an application. Often times, employers will deploy skill tests to make sure you are as qualified as you claim in your resume and meet their requirements. It may be useful to take practice tests or lookup sample questions on the internet. They will give you technical skill tests along with personality tests, so it’s important to understand your strengths and weakness technically and personally before you begin the application process. Job applications or ads will usually have skill requirements; it is important to understand these and make sure that you include them in your application or resume. Every application that I have ever filled out has had a reference section. Make sure you choose references carefully and ensure that they will give positive feedback. Applications are the first test or wave of screening to see who gets the job, so it is important to be as prepared as can be.   Q: Do you prefer working as an individual or a team? (Personality Test) A: Both. I work great with people, but some tasks are better left to an individual. Q: What is the...

How to negotiate salary and benefits for IT Computer Support Job

by | Dec 19, 2017 | Get hired for your first IT Job, Information Technology job interview, Interview, Job search

There is a lot to take into account when negotiating for job salaries and benefits these days. The expected salary range can almost always be found on the internet, but there is more to it than that. You need to compare and contrast the benefits, such as health care, paid vacation, signing bonus, 401k, stock options, and retirement options. When all is taken into consideration, sometimes the job with the higher salary is not the better job, and sometimes it is. The company’s goal is to pay you the least they can, and your goal is to get paid the most you can. It is important to learn some tips and tricks, as well as doing some research to be prepared for salary negations. The first thing I do when looking for a job is check the internet to see what the low, high, average, and median salary is for the job I am looking for (www.payscale.com is a good place to check). Payscale will show salaries in particular locations as well as nationally. This is important because it protects you from being low-balled if you have an idea of how much you should be paid. It is important to not be overly aggressive if you care about getting the job, as an offer can always be rescinded. One thing that can ruin your chances of negotiating a better salary, is offering too much compared to what they are asking. You absolutely must be realistic. However, by no means take the job if they are not offering you an adequate amount. Once you have the salary figured out the...
Getting Hired for Information Technology Job – Preparing for the Interview

Getting Hired for Information Technology Job – Preparing for the Interview

by | Dec 15, 2017 | Get hired for your first IT Job, Information Technology job interview, Job search

While a well written resume can help you get noticed, it is ultimately the interview and more importantly, how well you do during it, that will get you the job you are seeking. The better prepared you are for the interview the better your chances of making a good first impression. Follow these tips to be ready, set, and prepared as possible: ▪ Research the company- Learn as much about the company and job you are applying for as possible beforehand. Go on the company website, and social networking sites to learn about what the company does and how you can add to their success. ▪ Gather materials- Bring a copy of your resume, list of references, and samples of your work or examples of previous achievements to the interview. ▪ Think about answers to basic questions- Why are you looking for a new job? What is it that interests you about this company? What skills do you have to offer? These are just a few of the basic questions that you will most likely be asked. Have an answer in your mind ahead of time to show that you serious about obtaining a position within the company. ▪ Be prepared to discuss salary- Have a salary range in mind ahead of time that you would like to achieve. Make sure this range is comparative to the position you are seeking, and set a limit of the lowest amount you are willing to accept. ▪ Have examples to share- Go to the interview prepared to offer examples of past successes, achievements or proof of skills that are valuable to...

How to Negotiate Salary and Benefits for IT Computer Support Job

by | Dec 13, 2017 | Associate Degree Program, computer degree, Emotional intelligence, Get hired for your first IT Job, How To, Information Technology job interview, information technology program, Interview, Job search, Resume, Resume tips, soft skills, Student articles, Student Testimonials, Tips and Tricks

  The salary and benefit negotiation of a new job offer can be intimidating. It can feel like a confrontation or argument. That is not the case in the professional market. These things should be considered obligatory, but important. A hiring company should be expecting a possible refusal of an offer and a possible counter offer. In a case where the hiring manager has an issue with this, that job might be a good one to pass on. Here are some tips for staying professional in the salary negotiation and keeping both parties happy. Know What the Salary Should Be You don’t want to begin the salary negotiation without knowing what the salary should be. Part of knowing what the salary should be is knowing your own worth in the job market regarding the position applied for. Take inventory of your experience, education, and accomplishments. These three things will help measure what the salary should be. Keep in mind that you may want to use this information to effectively sell yourself to the prospective employer. If you only meet the job requirements and not exceed them, you might still have an opportunity to present value in your traits while making a counter offer. How to Find Salary Expectations You shouldn’t have to look past your monitor for this information. During your job search, you should be keeping record of the advertised wage ranges for the positions that you’re interested in. How do those figures relate to the offer that you receive? That could be data you can present when you make a counter offer. Using data in the salary...