| Entering the Information technology industry doesn't | | | | example, a candidate is applying for a help desk |
| come with instructions. Many people are drawn to | | | | position his/her cover letter and resume should |
| the industry by a natural inclination towards | | | | include communication and people skills, a broad set |
| computers, electronics or gadgets. And others who | | | | of computer skills and competent listening and note |
| do not have a natural tendency make a common | | | | taking skills. Any other skills that are not relevant |
| sense decision that the IT industry provides a | | | | should be out of scope for the application. This |
| lucrative and secure career. | | | | filtering of skills and experience is important in order |
| This mix produces a wide range of entry level | | | | to help to highlight relevant experience and produce a |
| information technology graduates both in terms of | | | | focused application that does not require a deep |
| specific interests and the level of useful commercial | | | | analysis from the employer. |
| knowledge and experience offered by the graduate | | | | Any candidates who have completed phase 1 may |
| pool. The challenge for individual entry level | | | | also include background information that value adds |
| information technology job candidates is to present | | | | to the application. In the case of a help desk analyst |
| themselves as the best match from a large pool of | | | | this background knowledge may include an |
| competitors with similar skills and experiences. So | | | | understanding of the existence of service level |
| how do the outstanding candidates achieve such a | | | | agreements which are higher level documents |
| status? | | | | guaranteeing service and restoration times for |
| The best candidates know who they are as | | | | different systems. Understanding these agreements |
| professionals and where they are going. They | | | | shows that the help desk candidate will have an |
| demonstrate confidence, enthusiasm and knowledge | | | | appreciation of high priority versus standard help desk |
| in the field. Most of all, they show the employer that | | | | jobs. |
| they are looking forward to contributing rather than | | | | Phase 3 Organized Documentation. There is no point |
| just gaining experience. Top candidates have either | | | | going to a nice restaurant if you are not going to eat. |
| consciously or subconsciously planned their approach | | | | Right? There is also no point working on an |
| according to the following three phases. | | | | application that is scattered and difficult to follow |
| Phase 1 Research. Possibly the most important phase | | | | because the hard work and relevant content is lost in |
| of all and one that is often overlooked by the | | | | the detail. The content in the application should be |
| greater masses. Understanding the different fields in | | | | tightly associated with the job advertisement. |
| the industry, how they interact with each other and | | | | Completing all phases helps a job candidate to put |
| why they exist is an extremely important aspect of | | | | their best foot forward every time. This type of |
| a job application. Not understanding the entire | | | | attention to detail is what separates the mediocre |
| industry when applying for a job is like playing soccer | | | | candidates from the short list and is the kind of |
| without knowing where the other players are. | | | | background understanding that seasoned IT |
| Phase 2 Identity. Top Job seekers present a | | | | professionals apply to every job application. |
| clear-cut specialized professional 'identity'. If, for | | | | |