Make Yourself Known
- Raising your profile is simply a matter of making yourself known in the industry.
- IT professionals who are well known and respected within the IT community can often access a better selection of opportunities and may sometimes command higher compensation.
- The higher your industry profile and the more contacts you make within IT circles, the easier it will be to market yourself.
Join Professional Organizations
- Active participation in business and industry associations can help raise your profile.
- Try joining technology user groups, your local Chamber of Commerce/Board of Trade, and IT industry associations.
- Consider such organizations as the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) in the U.S., Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) in Canada, and many others. Attending and socializing at meetings adds to your network of contacts.
- Joining the executive committee of user groups or industry associations helps build ties to other members of the executive.
- If you lack time for an executive position, becoming a speaker at the group’s meetings is another excellent way to establish your credentials as an industry expert.
Get Published
- Another option is to write articles for publication in association newsletters or industry trade press.
- While local trade press usually does not provide monetary compensation for articles, you usually receive a byline and a one or two line description of your credentials.
- Presenting samples of your published articles can be very impressive to a potential employer or client.
Maintain High Professional Standards
- Your professional reputation stays with you throughout your career.
- Dealing with prospective employers or clients in a professional and ethical manner is extremely important, both while you are looking for work and on the job.
- Follow through on your commitments.
- Exceed the expectations of your employer or client.
- Treat clients, employers, and coworkers the way you would like to be treated in return.