How To Advance In Your IT Infrastructure Job

Infrastructure IT jobs are the backbone of any organization. Whether you work for a two-person company or a large organization, they need infrastructure IT professionals to keep the organization afloat. Although these types of IT roles will always be needed, growing within the role can be difficult.

“It’s important for IT professionals to explore and understand what projects their peers a level above them are completing so they know how they can advance in their career,” says Tricia Demosthene, Senior Technical Recruiter at The Execu|Search Group. “You might not get exposure to these new skills in your current job, so you’ll need to find other ways to hone in on them outside of your work tasks.”

If you want to advance your infrastructure IT career, it’s clear you’ll need to put in the extra work to make the leap. Below are a few ways infrastructure IT professionals can advance their career:

Get your IT certifications

The fastest way to advance your career is by attaining relevant certifications. “Some IT professionals may shy away from IT certifications as they consider them a relic from the past,” Tricia notes. “However, they’re definitely something hiring managers are looking for on your resume. They also give you exposure to skills you might not learn in your current job.” A few of the certifications you’ll need to advance your IT career include:

Stay up-to-date on the latest technologies

It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and news in the IT industry if you want to grow in your career. In today’s digital age, employers turn to their IT employees to ensure the business can stay relevant with evolving tech trends. As a result, an outdated skillset could lead you to lose out on a promotion or new job opportunities. To get a pulse on the state of the IT industry, check out websites such as TechBeacon.com and Gigaom.

Keep your focus on security technology

Although most infrastructure roles are quite broad, it’s always important to have a good understanding of security technology. Since companies are concentrating on security more than ever, developing this skill can give you a competitive edge. Read up on security technology trends and utilize it as much as possible within your sector to help your IT career advance.

Get hands-on experience outside of work

If you really want to understand this technology, Tricia recommends taking it a step further. “I’d highly recommend IT professionals create a home server environment outside of work to play around with the different technology tools they may not be allowed to work within their day jobs,” Tricia says. “This will give them hands-on experience and exposure, which allows them to get a deep understanding of the newest tech skills.”

Hone in on your soft skills

A strong technical skill set is key to a successful IT career, but don’t underestimate the importance of your soft skills. It could be a deciding factor in whether you get a promotion or a new job if your competition has the same exact skill-set as you. To stand out from your peers, remember to work on the soft skills that matter most to IT employers, which include an attention-to-detail, being personable, and providing great customer service.