Cisco press the IT career builders toolkit jan 2005 ISBN 1587131560

TheITCareerBuilder'sToolkit
ByMatthewMoran

Publisher :CiscoPress
PubDate :December31,2004
Print
:1-58713-156-0
ISBN
Pages :312

Yourcompleteguidetobuildingyourinformationtechnology
careerinanyeconomy
TheITCareerBuilder'sToolkitfeaturesmarket-focusedskillsand
provenmethodsyoucanusetojump-startandadvanceyour
career.Whileotherbookscoverjustthemechanicsofpreparing
yourresume,writingacoverletter,andinterviewing,thisbook
providesallthatplusadditionalinsightfromITcareer
developmentexpert,MattMoran,tohelpyouplanandcreatea
rewardingITcareeroverthelongterm.
Thetoolkitapproachallowsyoutousethisbooktosuityour
uniqueneeds:




Tableof
•
Contents
• Index
• Examples

AreyounewtotheITfield?Benefitbyreadingthebook
covertocover.
Justneedtofine-tuneyourITcareer?Chooseatopicand
divein.
Understandandprepareforthevariousandchangingfactorsthat
affectyourcareerinbothpositiveandnegativeways.Learnhow
to
Presentthevalueofyourtechnicalskillsinthejobmarket
Positionyourselfastheprimarycommodityofyourcareer
Removetheguessworkoutofjobsearches
Highlighton-the-jobskillsandgainmeaningfulprofessional
exposure
ThecompanionCD-ROMincludescareermanagementtoolssuch
asresumeandcoverlettertemplates,formstotrackimportant
contacts,andself-assessmenttools.Startorfurtheryour


consultingcareerwithsampleproposals,opportunitytracking
forms,andatime-trackingandbillingdatabase.Financialtools,
includingbudgetandcash-flowsummaryworksheets,helpyou
gainfinancialwell-being.UsetheValue-AddedTechnologist
presentationtogainaclearunderstandingofthecareer-building
processandhowtousethetoolkittobuildadynamiccareer.
Mostofall,havefun!Everyyear,peopleadvancealongthepath
tocareerstardom.LetMatthelpyoutobeoneofthemthrough
hiscareerphilosophy"Donotacceptmediocrityasacareer
objectivedemandmoreofyourself."

TheITCareerBuilder'sToolkit
ByMatthewMoran

Publisher :CiscoPress

PubDate :December31,2004
Tableof
Print
•
:1-58713-156-0
Contents
ISBN
• Index
Pages :312
• Examples

Copyright
AbouttheAuthor
AbouttheTechnicalReviewers
Acknowledgments
Introduction
WhoShouldReadThisBook?
HowtoUsetheToolkit
WhatIstheToolkitApproachtoCareerDevelopment?
HowThisBookIsOrganized
PartI:AnIntroductiontoCareerBuilding
Chapter1.TheToolkitApproachtoCareerDevelopment
JustifyingtheNeedforanITToolkit
Actions&Ideas
Chapter2.CareerBuildingDefined
TheDangerofaTool-DrivenMindset
AJobIsNotaCareer
CareerBuildingConclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter3.InformationTechnology:AGreatCareer
WhyITIsaGreatCareer
WhatAboutOutsourcing?
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter4.DefiningYourself:AptitudesandDesires
ConsiderationsinYourCareerChoice

Beware:AnalysisParalysis
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
PartII:FillingYourToolkit
Chapter5.Self-Assessment
ThePowerofSelf-Assessment
TheDangersofSelf-Assessment
FourQuestionsofSelf-Assessment
Conclusion:MakingItPersonal
Actions&Ideas
Chapter6.Attitude

TheEffectofAttitudeonYourCareer
PositiveMentalAttitude
Beware:TwoPitfallsofAttitude
TheRoleofAttitude
AttitudeChecks
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter7.CommunicationSkills
DefiningCommunicationSkills
TheBenefitofCommunicationSkills:AnEffectiveCommunicatorIsViewedas
MoreIntelligent
WrittenCommunications
VerbalCommunication
PresentationsandTraining
ABriefNoteonListening
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter8.TechnicalSkills
YourTechnologySkills
TheRoleofLearning
TheFearofObsolescence
AnotherPerspective:TranscendentSkills
ReducingtheParts
TipstoSpeedUptheLearningProcess
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter9.TheCoverLetter
ThePurposeofYourCoverLetter

ThreeVitalIngredientsinYourCoverLetter
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter10.TheRésumé
YourAmbassadortotheProfessionalWorld
ThePurposeofYourRésumé
DeterminingWhoIsLookingatYourRésumé
RésuméBasics
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
PartIII:PuttingYourToolkittoUse
Chapter11.BreakingintoIT

CorrectingPerception
ITHappensOutsideofIT
OtherAvenuesintoIT
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter12.BuildinganActiveContactList
EnjoyPeople
DevelopaPersonality
HaveOtherAreasofInterest
EngageinConversation
TrackandRememberYourContacts
ShareOpportunity
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter13.TheJobSearch
GettingWhatYouWantRequiresWantingSomething
DefiningtheJobSearch
Remember:LookingforWorkIsWork
TheToolkitApproachtoFindingaJob
JobSearchOutline
AJobSearchComparison
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter14.TheInterview
PracticeYourInterviewSkills
AftertheInterview
Conclusion

Actions&Ideas
Chapter15.SalaryNegotiationsandEmploymentAgreements
StartEarly
KnowWhatYouWant
UnderstandtheEmployer'sPerspective
BeCreative
BeFirm
YourWorthtotheCompany
NegotiationsNeverFail
BeFlexible
EmploymentAgreements
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter16.On-the-JobPromotion
OntheJob

MaintainingandBuildingYourNetwork
IdentifyingAreasforSuccess
Attitude
WorkingforaTyrantandOtherJoys
DetermineWhetherYourBoss'sActionsArePersonalityorPersonal
UnderstandThatPeopleAre"WhereTheyAre"
TakeanObjectivePathtoEvaluatingWhatTheySay
HandlingCriticism
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
PartIV:MoreOptionstoBuildYourCareer
Chapter17.TheBoundariesandBenefitsofWorkingatHome
CareersThatLendThemselvestoTelecommuting
TheBenefitsfortheEmployee
TheBenefitsfortheEmployer
TheConcernsfortheEmployee
TheConcernsfortheEmployer
Conclusion:NextSteps
KeystoSuccessfulTelecommuting
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter18.TheToolkitApproachtoConsulting
TheConsultingLife

TheBenefits
ThePitfalls
ResourcesfortheConsultant
CD-ROMMaterialsfortheConsultant
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter19.TheMovetoManagement
Leadership
ProcessandTimeManagement
CriticalSkillsYouNeedNow
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
PartV:TheValue-AddedTechnologist
Chapter20.MakeYourselfIndispensable
AWordAboutValue
BeingProactive
UnderstandingTechnology'sRoleintheOrganization

MaintainaBusiness-FirstMentality
CreateStandards,Automation,oraProgrammer'sToolkit
CreateaPeerKnowledgeNetwork
BeKnownAstheGo-ToResource
BeReadyandWillingtoTakeontheNecessaryResponsibility
HaveExpertsYouCallOnforYourOrganization
BePassionateAboutSomething!
NeverBlame,andAlwaysHaveaCorrectivePlan
AdoptConceptOverProcess
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter21.ConceptOverProcess
WhattoExpect
WhatNottoExpect
COPObjectives
COPOrigins
WhatIsaProcess-DrivenMindset?
MovingfromProcessDriventoConceptDriven
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter22.TheRoleofMentoring
MentorCharacteristics

MentoringOthers
Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Chapter23.FinancialControl
TheImpactofFinancesonCareerBuilding
FinancialControlCreatesOptions
FinancialControlIsLargelyMental
MoneyIsaTool
DebtandSpending
SomeBasicsofFinancialPlanningandStability

Conclusion
Actions&Ideas
Index


Copyright
TheITCareerBuilder'sToolkit
MatthewMoran
Copyright©2005MatthewMoran
Publishedby:
CiscoPress
800East96thStreet
Indianapolis,IN46240USA
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedor
transmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicor
mechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyany
informationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwritten
permissionfromthepublisher,exceptfortheinclusionofbrief
quotationsinareview.
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica1234567890
FirstPrinting:January2005
LibraryofCongressCataloging-inPublicationNumber:2004108671

WarningandDisclaimer
Thisbookisdesignedtoprovideinformationaboutpreparingfor
andenteringintoacareerininformationtechnology(IT).Every
efforthasbeenmadetomakethisbookascompleteandas
accurateaspossible,butnowarrantyorfitnessisimplied.

Theinformationisprovidedonan"asis"basis.Theauthor,
CiscoPress,andCiscoSystems,Inc.shallhaveneitherliability
norresponsibilitytoanypersonorentitywithrespecttoany
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TrademarkAcknowledgments
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Publisher

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PrintedintheUSA

Dedication
Thisbookisdedicatedtomywife,Laura,andourchildrenfor
allowingmetodisappeartowrite.Ialsowanttothankmy
motherandfatherforrecognizingmyloveofwordsand
encouragingmywriting,bothnowandwhenIwasyoung.
Thanks.IhopeIdidyouproud!


AbouttheAuthor
MatthewMoranhasbeenatechnologyprofessionalsince
1988.HestartedhiscareerwithBlueCrossofCaliforniaasa
dataentryclerk.Whilethere,hecreatedavarietyoftracking
andautomationsystems,includingtheapplicationtotrackand
automatethegenerationcontractdocuments.Hisworkthere
ledtoseveralconsultingengagementsinthehealthcareand
legalindustries.
Matthew'sconsultinghasfocusedonbusiness
solutionsprovidingtechnologyandbusinessworkflow
automationforNorthropGrumman,HealthNet,Power-one,
PrimericaFinancial,andothers.
Matthewistheauthorofseveralarticlesonscripting
automation,professionaldevelopment,andbusiness
productivity.
HelivesinCaveCreek,Arizonawithhiswifeandfourchildren.


AbouttheTechnicalReviewers
ElaineHornhasbeenaCATC/RegionalCiscoNetworking
AcademyPrograminstructorsince1998.ShehasaB.S.and
M.A.degreeinmathematicseducationfromOhioState

University.Elainehasworkedintheeducationalfieldfor27
years.Currently,sheworksatTri-RiversEducationalComputer
Association(theOhioCiscoAcademyTrainingCenter[CATC])
supportingandtrainingCiscoNetworkingAcademyinstructors
inKentucky,Michigan,andOhio.ElaineholdsCCNA,CCDA,and
CCAIcertifications.
VivianVanLieristhepresidentofAdvantageResume&Career
ServicesinValleyGlen,California.Sheisacertifiedcareer
coachandpublishedrésuméwriterwhohasanational
reputationforprovidingcareermanagementsupportand
résuméwritingservicestoprofessionalsandexecutives
throughouttheU.S.andinternationally.
Vivian'squalificationsincludeaB.S.degreeinbusiness
administrationfromtheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleyand
fourcredentialsasacareercoachandrésuméwritercertified
professionalrésuméwriter(CPRW),certifiedjobandcareer
transitioncoach(JCTC),certifiedcareermanagementcoach
(CCMC),andcertifiedemploymentinterviewprofessional
(CEIP).
Vivianisactiveinthebusinesscommunityandseveralcoaching
andcareerassociations,includingTheProfessionalAssociation
ofRésuméWritersandCareerCoaches(PARW/CC),The
NationalRésuméWritersAssociation(NRWA),TheCareer
Master'sInstitute(CMI),TheCareerPlanningandAdult
DevelopmentNetwork(CPAD),andtheInternationalCoaching
Federation,LosAngeles.Shehastwiceservedascochairofthe
InternationalCareerDevelopmentConferenceandonthe
CertificationBoardofPARW/CC.

Vivianisaprolificcontributortomorethan20nationally
publishedrésuméandcareerbooksincludingRésumésThat
Knock'EmDead;ExpertRésumésforComputerandWebJobs;
101BestRésumésforGrads;2500KeywordstoGetYouHired;
ProfessionalRésumésforExecutives,Managers,andOther
Administrators;GalleryofBestRésumés;andCoverLetter
Magic.Shehasbeenquotedasacareerexpertinmorethan
100newspapersthroughouttheU.Sandisafrequent
contributorofcareerarticlesforWomeninTechnology
International(WITI.com).Vivianhasbeenapresenterand
invitedspeakeratcareerconferencesthroughouttheU.S.and
inCanada.
Dr.PeterJ.Welcher,CCIENo.1773,CCIP,andcertified
CiscoSystemsinstructor,hasaPh.D.inmathfromMIT.He
startedoutteachingmathattheU.S.NavalAcademy.While
there,healsoboughtandmaintainedUNIXsystems,wrotea
bookonaprogramminglanguage,andwroteamajorcomputer
programinC.Hechangedcareersin1993toteachawide
varietyoftheCiscocoursesforMentorTechnologies,formerly
ChesapeakeComputerConsultants,whilealsodoingnetwork
consultingwheneverpossible.Peteisnowdoinghigh-level
networkconsultingwithChesapeakeNetcraftsmen,withtasks
includingnetworkdesign,security,QoS,wireless,andIP
telephonyforseveralmajorenterprisecustomers.Hehas
reviewednumerousbooksforCiscoPressandotherpublishers
andhasauthoredormanageddevelopmentofseveralcourses
forCiscoandothers.PetewritesarticlesforEnterprise
NetworkingMagazine.Hecanalsosometimesbefound
presentinghisownseminarsatEastCoastCiscooffices,on
topicsrangingfromcampusnetworkdesigntoWLANsecurity.

Youcanfindthearticlesandseminarsat
/>

Acknowledgments
IwanttothankMaryBethRayatCiscoPressforseeingenough
inmyarticlestotrackmedownandforpatientlylisteningtoall
thetangentialstoriesduringourphonecalls.Shehadtolearna
lotaboutmypast,myfamily,andmanyothercrazyideastoget
tothisbook.
KurtUnderwood,thankyouforthevalidation.Yourresponseto
pre-editedchaptershelpedmekeepthefaithandmaintaina
beliefthatthereisimportantinformationinthetoolkit.
SpecialthanksgoouttoBarbaraLynchatWellpoint/BlueCross,
forputtingupwithmyeccentricitiesandallowingmetocreate
solutionsforyouforfiveyears.Ilearnedasmuchduringthose
yearsasanytimeinmylife.
ToeveryoneatCiscoPressinparticularChrisClevelandfor
sayingIwasa"goodwriter."Allmybravadoand
pseudoconfidencestrippedaway,thatissomethingeverywriter
yearnstohearfromaneditor.
Lastlytoallmypastemployers,clients,mentors,andpeersyou
havebeenmybestprofessors.Ihopetocontinuetolearnfrom
youformanyyearstocome.


Introduction
In2002,IstartedwritingsomearticlesforPowerMediaGroup.
Duringthatsametime,Ioccasionallypostedonthe
CramSession.comdiscussionboardsprimarilyfocusingonthe
careerandjobdiscussions.

Theresponsetomyarticlesandtothepostswasextremely
positive.InJune,Ipostedaquestiontothediscussionboard
askingifanyonewouldbeinterestedinhavingmecompilemy
priorpostsandarticlesintoa"careertoolkit."Theresponsewas
overwhelmingandhasledtothisbook.


WhoShouldReadThisBook?
Thisisnota"technical"book.Althoughthisbookcertainly
containstechniquesandmethods,it'sreallyaboutpersonaland
professionalgrowth.ItisdirectedatITprofessionalsboththose
whoarejustenteringthefield("thenewbies")andseasoned
veteranswhowanttoadvancetheircareer.
Nocertificationsareavailabletoguideyouonmanyofthe
topicscoveredinthistoolkit.Toalargedegree,theyare
adoptedintoatotalworkingskillsetthatismorenebulousin
nature.Configuringaspecificbrandofroutertoperforma
functionorwritingaprogramtoachieveaparticularendis
oftenmoreeasilydefined.That'swhyIhaveframedthebook
asatoolkit.
Iwantyoutoseethetechniquesasonemoresetofskillsto
adoptinyouroverallcareerdevelopmentprogram.Theyare
skills,justasyourparticulartechnicalskillsthatyouwilluse
dailyoverthecourseofyourcareer.Similartothewayyou
adoptnewtechnicalskills,usethetoolkittohelpdefinethose
softskillsthatyoumustlearnandputtouse.Theresultwillbe
amorewell-roundedandcompleteprofessionalskillset.


HowtoUsetheToolkit

YoucanreadTheITCareerBuilder'sToolkitcovertocover,the
idealmethodforsomeonewhoisnewtothefield,orbytopic,
tofine-tuneanalreadygrowingcareerinthefield.
Informationisspreadthroughoutthebookthatmightinterest
orhelpyou.Conceptualideasthatrunthroughthebookare
emphasizedineachofthechapters.Ifyouchoosetoread
throughspecifictopics,taketimelatertorevisitsomeofthe
otherchapters.Youwilllikelyfindsomethingofinterestthere,
too.
Thechaptersincludeabriefintroductiontothetopic.Attheend
ofeachchapterareactionpointsorkeyideas.Thesehelpto
emphasizeideasyouhavelearnedinthechapter.
Althoughitisimportanttoplaytoyourstrength,workonthose
areasthatareachallengeorintimidateyou.Masteryofa
difficultchallengeorskilldoeswondersforyourconfidence.
Thisconfidencefurtherenhancesyourabilityinyourareasof
strength.


WhatIstheToolkitApproachtoCareer
Development?
Thetoolkitapproachtocareerdevelopmentisaholistic,
proactive,andownership-basedapproachtocareer
development.Whereasotherbookscoverthemechanicsof
preparingyourrésumé,writingacoverletter,andeven
interviewing,thisbookprovidestheinformationtohelpyou
planandcreatearewardingcareeroverthelongterm.
Thisbookdoesnotneglectthoseimportanttopics,butit
expandstoincludetheminanoverallassessmentandplanof
action.Armedwiththisinformation,youcanbegintoplanand

implementconcretestepsintoacompletecareerdevelopment
plan.
Theapproachisplannedbutagile.Becauseyourdesiresand
interestsmightchangeduringyourcareer,itisimportantthat
youareflexibleinoverallobjectives.However,planningand
developingkeytoolsandattitudesarenecessaryforanycareer.
Also,conceptualknowledgeshouldbe,whereverfeasible,
transferredintoanynewcareerdirection.
Thetoolkitapproachpositionsyouastheprimarycommodityof
yourcareer.Thismeansthatyouneedtocreateastrongsense
ofthevalueyouprovideandyourworthtoanorganization.
Forthecareertechnologist,Igoevenfurther.Youmustview
andpositionyourselfasaservicecompany.Youremployerisin
averyrealsenseyourclient.Youneedtothinkintermsof
personalmarketing,servicelevel,andclientretention.
ThisispartoftheownershipmindsetIwanttogiveyourcareer.
Youshouldstudyandunderstandyourcareer,justasyouwould
abusiness.Youneedtounderstandthevariousandchanging
factorsthatcanandwillimpactyourcareerinbothpositiveand


negativeways.
Mostofall,youmustbeabletomakechangeswhennecessary.
Ifelementsofyourcareerplanarenotworking,youneedto
worktounderstandwhyandthentakecorrectiveaction.Itis
notenoughtosaythatitistheeconomyorsomeotherexterior
factor.Yourcareermustbelongtoyou.
Aswithanybusiness,negativeeventswilloccur.Youroverall
careerplanshouldincludeanunderstandingthatsuchevents
willhappen.Layoffstranspire,companiesaresold,and

companiesgooutofbusiness.Yourresponsetotheseevents
cannotbeshockedresentment.Youhavebeenforewarned.
Preparefortheseeventswiththetoolspresentedinthisbook.
Itwillmakethemfarlesstraumaticwhentheydooccur.
Mostofall,havefun!Youwillhearthisthemethroughoutthe
book.Everyyear,peopleadvancealongthepathtocareer
stardom.Endeavortobeoneofthem.Don'tacceptmediocreas
acareerobjectivedemandmoreofyourself.
Goodluckandhappybuilding!


HowThisBookIsOrganized
Althoughyoucanreadthisbookcovertocover,itisdesignedto
beflexibleandallowyoutoeasilymovebetweenchaptersand
sectionsofchapterstocoverjustthematerialthatyouneed
moreworkwith.Thebookisdividedintofiveparts,eachwith
severalrelatedchapters.Theintentisthateachpartandeach
chapterbuildsuponthepreviousone.Ifyoudointendtoread
themall,theorderinthebookisanexcellentsequencetouse.
PartI,"AnIntroductiontoCareerBuilding"The
chaptersinPartIgiveanoverviewofthecareer
developmentprocessandintroduceyoutothetoolkit.PartI
includesChapters1through4,coveringthefollowing
topics:
-Chapter1,"TheToolkitApproachtoCareer
Development"Thischapterservesasanintroduction
tothecontentsofthetoolkitandwhatyoushould
expecttolearn.Itexplainstheimportanceofa
comprehensiveapproachtocareerbuildingand
describeshowthetoolkitcanhelpyouadoptsuchan

approach.
-Chapter2,"CareerBuildingDefined"Thischapter
coverstheconceptofcareerbuildingversussimply
gettingastringofjobs.Itcoversessentialideasto
placecareerbuildinginperspectivewiththehopeof
providingyouwithaframeworkforpursuingyour
education,theskillsyouuse,andtherelationshipsyou
develop.Understandingcareerbuildingcanhelpyou
growyourcareermorerapidlyandwithgreater
satisfaction.
-Chapter3,"InformationTechnology:AGreat


Career"Withtheadventofoutsourcing,thenotable
failuresofthedot-comdebacle,andageneralmalaise
intheindustry,thischapterpaintsamorebalanced
picture.Thepremiseisthatallthoseeventsarelargely
tobeexpectedandmustbeviewedfortheimpacton
howyouapproachyourcareer.Ratherthanfocuson
thoseareasofstruggle,theideaistodirectyoutoward
areasofopportunityandhowtobestrecognizethem.
-Chapter4,"DefiningYourself:Aptitudesand
Desires"Thischapterexplainssomewaystobetter
understandwhatdrivesyou.Byunderstandingthose
thingsthatyoubelieveareimportantforyourcareer
andprofessionalgrowth,youcanbetterassessthe
opportunitiesthatcomeyourway.

PartII,"FillingYourToolkit"endterm"Thechaptersin
thispartaremoreconcernedwiththedevelopmentofkey

skillsandideasthatyouwillusethroughoutyourcareer.
PartIIincludesChapters5through10,coveringthe
followingtopics:
-Chapter5,"Self-Assessment"Thischaptercovers
asimplesetoftechniquestohelpyouassessyour
performanceandattitude.Thegoalistoprovideyou
withideastoremedyproblemspriortoperformance
reviews.Indoingso,youincreaseyourjobsatisfaction
andmanagement'sperceptionofyourvalue.
-Chapter6,"Attitude"Thischapteraddressesthe
criticalissueofattitude.Itisnotmeanttoprovideyou
withpositiveencouragementbuttoprovideyouwith
concretestepstohelpyouimproveyourattitude.The
centralthemeistocreateanattitudeofvalueaboutthe
workyouperform.