Professionalism Matters: Top Things to Consider When Working in IT
Maybe you’re on the hunt for a job in information technology, or maybe you’ve landed a great IT position and want to put your best foot forward. IT professionals sometimes get so caught up in their work that professionalism can fall to the wayside. However, if you want to hang onto a great job and have the opportunity to advance your career, professionalism matters.
Know the professional norms of the IT industry before you walk in the door and avoid behaviors that can damage your career. A few of the top things you should consider include:
- Use your powers for good instead of evil. For most people (including the boss in some cases), what IT does is a mystery. If you spend time spying on people you shouldn’t because its within your grasp, it won’t be long before you’re found out – a fast track to unemployment.
- Don’t invest in a cover-up. If you failed to make a back-up or didn’t implement a security measure, avoid the temptation to cover it up. Be honest about what happened and work to fix it. Your company puts massive amounts of trust in you – it’s much worse to break that trust than to make a mistake.
- Try not to be the smartest person in the room. You may very well be the smartest person in the room, but if you don’t have the skills to initiate a positive conversation, be quiet. Your managers or bosses don’t want to hear how poorly conceived their ideas are – unless you have positive ways to change them. Even then, know your audience and tread carefully.
IT specialists are always in demand, but when you find the best place for you, think about what it means to work with a team before you take the job. If you’re on the hunt for a good match for your IT skills, contact the professionals at PT Systems today.
