How to Switch from Non IT Industry to IT Industry

Here are few examples of how someone can move from Non IT Industry to IT Industry

Scenario 1: Someone with a degree in English Major wants to move into IT programming job

If you want to move from a X industry or domain to computer science then you need to be cautious and plan it well. Here are few key steps...

1. First recall why you did get into English Major, what was your initial goal? Is it not relevant anymore?

2. As suggested by most folks, getting into computer science should start with learning. So do some research and join some good programming course.

3. Finding jobs related to programming might not be easy as there is competition out there. So allow yourself more and more time to practice programming and also practice giving interviews (the more your fail the better you become for the next interview)

4. You may also want to marry your capability in English to Computer Science by looking for opportunities in technical writing, training/ teaching, business analysis etc.

Scenario 2: Someone with an MBA and working for a Bank wants to move into IT

Since you have an MBA and work for a bank I am assuming you have experience of the finance domain. If that is correct, one of the best route to get into IT industry is to become a Business or Functional Analyst/ Consultant on Finance domain. You may want to join a course in one of the ERP solutions, for example, Oracle Applications R12 Finance Module and then seek opportunities in the IT industry.

For reference: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E26401_01/nav/financials.htm here you can find user guides and implementation guides on Oracle Financials R12

Scenario 3: Someone working in Manufacturing Industry wants to move into IT

SAP is a good option if you want to work on a ERP solution. Another option is Oracle Applications (Oracle Apps) R12/ 11i.

Make sure you are careful when you do the switch, consider following points:
(1) How will you gain knowledge on SAP/ Oracle Apps/ Any other ERP Solution?
(2) If you are learning it on the job, that is great.
(3) If you are going to learn by joining some course/ institute then make sure they provide enough hands on training and potential job opportunities.
(4) ERP is world where domain knowledge helps a lot. So if you have some background in manufacturing industry then SAP may suit you. Or if you have background in Finance domain then Oracle might be better suited.

Other than SAP and Oracle there might be other options available as well so do your due diligence and research before you take the next step in the right direction.

Refer this amazing video on job search...

PMP or PRINCE2 or ITIL or CSM

There are multiple project management certification options available in the market today. Here are some tips which will help you decide which one is better suited for you and why:

Project Management Professional(PMP) by PMI

- You should go for PMP certification if you are leading or managing projects for US based clients. Refer Article: Tips for PMP Aspirants  for some good pointers on PMP preparation.

OR

You should go for PRINCE2 if you lead or manage projects for UK based clients

OR

ITIL - IT Infrastructure Library certifications
As far as ITIL certification is concerned, it is for the IT Service Management professionals. It suits those who manage IT Production support operations. 

OR

CSM - Certified Scrum Master 

These days many organizations execute projects in the Agile way and it is becoming quite popular in the industry. Refer www.scrumalliance.org to find out more about CSM certification.

Ideal Time For A Job Switch

Most IT professionals often wonder if there is an ideal time to switch jobs. The answer to this question is not straight forward as it depends on multiple factors which may vary from person to person.

Here are few key pointers that you may want to consider before making this vital decision:

Why Change?

First things first, find out your core reason for changing your current job. It may be aspiration for more salary, desire for promotion, need for better job responsibility, work environment, family relocation etc. Once you find out your core reason for job change, let this reason drive your passion for the search of desired job. Remember, there is no point in making a half hearted attempt.

Plan it Well

Now that you know the reason for making a job change, ask yourself of the potential employers that you want to target. Also, identify specific job location/ city/ country that you want to start the hunt in.

If you want to search in a specific city then you may want to plan it accordingly, please read:

How To Get A Replacement/ New Job in City of Your Choice

If you want to search jobs outside India, that is in foreign countries then you may want to refer these methods:

How Can A Software Developer Get Job In Foreign Country

The Timing

Once you have identified your core reason/ passion for job change and have planned it well as mentioned above then you need to look at the timing aspect. This is important for various reasons:

(a) Different companies have different appraisal cycles (some have January to December others have April to March, so you may want to ensure that you time your job change in such a way that you take advantage of appraisal cycle in your current company as well as in the company that you are going to join

(b) Identify the right point in time of your career when you want to make the move. This is driven by your core reason for change. Make sure you have a real big and genuine reason for making a job change. Avoid making too many job changes in a short period of time.

(c) Timing of a job change is also sensitive because one needs to take into account the market health factor as well. Sometimes the job market is hit by global economic crisis. These are not ideal days for making a move. If the market is dull it is ideal to stay put.

Along with the timing, in the modern world it is equally important that you also consider newer ways of hunting the right job for you.

Refer, this amazing video on job search...

How Do Part Time Courses Help?

How Do Part Time Courses Help Professionals?

It depends on lot of factors:

(1) What are you doing currently as a full time job?

(2) What are you planning to do part-time?

(3) What do you mean by personal achievement?

Here is what I can suggest based on certain assumptions:

(1) If you are in IT industry and want to learn a new skill by doing a part time course then yes a part-time course will help you acquire knowledge of the new skill.

(2) If you are in Non IT industry and want to learn some IT skill by doing a part-time course then it might help as well.

Having said that, a part time course will help you gain knowledge in the area of your interest. However, it may not help you get skilled immediately which means you have not get immediate returns on your investment.

Therefore, before you join a part-time course you need to consider following important points:

(1) How is the course going to help you in short term?

(2) How is the course going to help you in long term?

(3) How reputed is the institute?

(4) Does the institute help in job hunt assistance?

Various Ways To Perform Job Search

Various ways to go about job hunting:

(a) Register on Linkedin. Build your network with professionals

(b) Register on job websites and set alert for desired profiles(Monster, Naukri and other country specific job search websites)

(c) Reach out to consultants. Share your CV

(d) Reach out to your seniors, friends, acquaintances. Share your profile

(e) Look for job openings in newspapers and advertisements

(e) Use social media websites to join interest groups for job search

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Quora
• Blogs