IT Professionals - How to Tell What You're Really Worth

Whether you are a new worker or an old hand in search of a new and better paying IT gig, it is important to determine your value in the marketplace in order to ensure the fairest salary and enhance your chances of landing the job you really want. Negotiating a fair salary, and determining how much your skills are really worth is a complicated process, involving a thorough understanding of not only technical matters but business matters as well.

In the most basic terms, the compensation an employee receives is a rough measure of the value that the employee brings to the organization. Some of the factors that tend to influence salary include levels of education and certifications, technical experience, business experience and past accomplishments. Other factors, such as geographical location and the state of the local job market, play a role as well.

During the heady days of the dot.com bubble, with newly minted millionaires popping up behind every computer screen, there was a growing chorus of voices saying that the traditional four year college degree was no longer relevant to this new world. That thinking has changed somewhat since the bursting of that bubble and the disappearance of so much wealth, and employers are continuing to look for that college education in those they hire. Of course the value of that four year degree will vary, but in the main those who hold a college degree can expect to earn much more over their lifetimes than those whose education ended with the awarding of their high school diploma.

One of the reasons that companies place so much value on a college education is that the skills taught in college, including the ability to work independently, write coherently and think logically, are so important in the world of business. While many non college graduates possess such skills, many employers feel that these skills increase with a college education.

In the higher levels of the IT world, including chief technology officer, vice president of technology and corporate information officer, some sort of undergraduate degree is virtually a given. The value of more advanced degrees will vary from organization to organization, and it is up to each worker to balance the cost of an advanced degree against the value it can bring.

Formal IT training has long been an important factor in the world of IT employment, and this training, either in addition to or instead of college, can be very important to a successful career. Advanced training in a number of software packages, operating systems and hardware platforms can be invaluable, and many companies look for specific training and skills in those they hire. It is a good idea for those in need of formal training to look at the job market in their desired location and tailor the training they receive to the requirements of those would be employers.

In addition to traditional education and formal training, certifications hold an important place in the world of IT, and many companies consider these certifications a requirement for employment in midlevel and upper level IT positions. As with formal training, it is important for workers to look at the types of certification employers are looking for and focus their efforts on obtaining them. Among the most sought after certifications in many parts of the country are those offered by Cisco, Microsoft and CompTIA. In addition to the basic certifications, many vendors and vendor neutral organizations offer more specialized certification in such areas as network security and database management.

Although technical certifications continue to have the greatest value for IT workers, non technical certifications and training in soft skills like time management and interpersonal skills are becoming increasingly popular. Certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) are increasingly being sought by employers, and IT workers would do well to explore this additional training.

Of course no amount of Microsoft IT training, education and certification can substitute for real world practical experience, and this type of hands on experience also figures largely when it comes to compensation decisions. It is important for workers to constantly seek out new challenges and opportunities, as doing so is one of the best ways to gain the skills and experience that will allow their careers, and their salaries, to grow. When seeking out this new experience it pays to be creative, and to look beyond your own department and perhaps even beyond your own company, for the skills you need. Many workers find that a part time volunteer job with a nonprofit agency is a great way to enhance their interpersonal as well as their technical skills, and helping out the boss or other managers is certain to be appreciated as well. Either way, growing technical experience is likely to be rewarded with a growing paycheck.

Business skills are another important part of the compensation picture, and it is essential for all workers, both within IT and elsewhere, to have some sort of understanding of how their position fits into the overall business goals of the company. Gaining this type of perspective can be very difficult, but it is important for workers to understand the value they add to their organizations in order to grow their skills and enhance their salaries. Each position within an organization has a specific function, and it is the functioning of those positions, working together, that allow the company to be profitable and to meet its various business goals. Learning how a particular position fits into the overall scheme of things can allow workers of all levels to make improvements in efficiency and enhance their value to the organization.

Of course not all factors governing employee compensation have to do with training, IT certification, education or even business needs. Some of the factors may be beyond the control of the employee and even the employer, and one of these factors is that of geography. Some areas of the country, whether due to the overall cost of living or a shortage of needed skills, will pay more than others, and it is a good idea for workers who would consider a move to look at these geographical factors. Of course it is also important to look not only at the salary but the cost of housing, food, transportation, taxes and other items to make sure that the move makes sense.

After all the research has been done, and all the factors have been taken into consideration, it is important for workers and job candidates to gather information on the type of salary they can expect for their particular skill set. When gathering this type of information it is important, of course, to keep in mind that every situation is different, and to use the information as a guideline in salary negotiations, rather than as a hard and fast rule.

Among the technical tools workers can use to gain insight into their job prospects and the salary they deserve are the following:

• Job Boards - Job boards can be somewhat of a hit or miss proposition, since they hold hundreds or thousands of different jobs from all over the country. These job boards, can however provide a quick snapshot of the local market, or the market for a particular IT skill set.
• User Groups - Local user groups can be a great source of honest information about the job market and salary prospects in a given area. Joining such a group, and participating in their activities, is a great way to gather information as well as job prospects.
• Magazines - Many magazines will publish regular columns full of salary comparisons for various IT jobs and various geographical locations. Even though these results are far from conclusive, they can provide a real boost to any salary negotiation. Showing a hiring manager or headhunter a well documented article that says your job is worth $20,000 more than the current offer may be enough to change their opinion and net you a bigger paycheck.
• Business Conferences - Attending a business conference can be a great way to gather information, and job prospects, from those within your chosen field. Talking to others who do the same job you do, and comparing salaries, can be quite an eye opener. Of course it is important to factor in other considerations, such as the geographical location of the company and its financial prospects, before making the jump to a new employer

Those workers in need of a little extra boost in their salary negotiations and job prospects may want to look into getting additional certifications before starting the search for greener pastures. Computer based training, like that offered atCBT Planet, is a great way for IT workers of all levels to gain the training and certification they need to succeed and thrive in today's highly competitive IT job market. CBT Planet is proud to offer an extensive array of training courses for such vendors as Microsoft MCSE, Cisco CCNA, CompTIA A+, Red Hat, IBM, Sun and others. Contact CBT Planet today to discuss your career goals and your certification needs.