10 things you can do to move up the IT career ladder
IT pros who aspire to a higher position need to lay the groundwork by developing the right relationships, refining their communications skills, and expanding their breadth of knowledge.
Even in difficult economic times, the opportunity for advancement exists. Whether you’re a front-line associate aiming for the next level or a senior vice president looking toward the CIO role, certain strategies will help you reach your goals. These steps can’t guarantee that you will move up within your organization, but they’ll definitely give you a leg up on the competition.
- 1. Develop relationships within your organization — outside IT
It seems like common sense, but this often gets pushed to the side in favor of day-to-day responsibilities that yield immediate results. It is much easier to communicate what you do and why it is important to someone who is used to hearing from you regularly. Make a habit of trying to develop a relationship within a different business division at least once a month.
- 2. Develop a message
How does what you do, or what your team does, further the efforts of the organization? How does it help the business achieve its bottom-line objectives? You must be able to articulate the value of your position to the organization clearly. This often takes time and effort, but it’s crucial. Make the investment.
- 3. Be open… be available… talk to people
IT can often breed a solo or small team atmosphere. If you are a leader in your organization, be seen. Nothing is worse than a CIO, CTO, EVP, AVP, or even a director who stays behind closed doors and remains silent.
- 4. Treat your top talent as you treat your boss
If you think you have talked to them enough, go back and talk to them one more time. Trust me: If your top talent is nervous (and they are) and you’re not communicating with them, they are looking elsewhere. As times get more challenging, your top talent becomes more valuable. This rings true at every organizational level, from the front lines up. Replacing superstars is not easy.
- 5. Understand your audience
IT has a language all its own, and those outside IT may have trouble understanding it. In fact, it’s never a given that even those within IT, but in a different division, will understand the lingo associated with your specialty. Communicate with your audience in mind.
- 6. Be consistent
Nothing deflates an organization or a team more than perceived inconsistency in communication or communication style.
- 7. Be open with Information
The expression “Information is power” holds some truth; however, the idea that hoarding that information will result in more personal power does not. Controlling the flow of information is a losing proposition. Everything you do sends a message, and communications, or lack thereof, sends a clear message. (Hint: not a positive one).
- 8. Develop partnerships with other IT divisions
The tendency to end up in silos and spend precious little time networking with other divisions can cost opportunity. It happens in many divisions outside IT as well. Just like in sports, rising stars in different positions often end up leading the entire team because they developed those relationships along the way.
- 9. Master other domains
When commenting on professionals who are looking to ascend internally, I often hear IT executives cite the need to have experience in more than one space. While “master” might be a strong term, a well-balanced portfolio should not be limited to your 401k.
- 10. Get a mentor
Mentors are crucial in any business, and in a business where networking is not as common as in other lines of work (sales, marketing), mentoring is a great way to learn. It’s also a great way to develop a relationship with an executive you would not normally get to interact or spend significant time with.
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Jake Amir, VP, Strategic Relations was elected to the Board of Directors for MKSSA – Missouri & Kansas Search and Staffing Association.
MKSSA is the trade association for the search and staffing industry within Missouri and Kansas. It is a non-profit organization set up to provide a resource for business and individuals alike who seek a search and/or staffing provider. MKSSA is affiliated with the American Staffing (ASA) and the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS).
As the industry resource for information, education, training, and legal representation, MKSSA communicates industry matters to association members, legislative leaders, regulators, the news media, and the general public. MKSSA strives to provide a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year, all of which are open for members and industry partners to attend!
We have moved!
Due to our growth, we have moved to a new office. Our location is in the same building. We have moved from suite 425 to suite 285. The space is larger and has a larger conference room, a kitchen and room to grow.
VantageLinks, LLC a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner is proud to announce that it obtained a additional Microsoft competencies and specializations certifications:
Web Development Competency.
Software Development Competency.
These new competencies are in addition to the following competencies VantageLinks obtained in the past:
Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competencies in Storage Solutions Specialization and Active Directory Specialization.
Small Business Specialist Community competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Network Solutions Specialization.
Security Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Identity & Secure Access Specialization.
Mobility Solutions competency.
Networking Infrastructure Solutions competency.
To learn more about the program, please go to Microsoft
In order for an organization to become a Gold Certified Partner, the organization must have a certain number of certified employees, client references for completed project and completed consulting engagement. In addition, VantageLinks in conjunction with Microsoft consucted a customer satisfaction survey and the results put VantageLinks at the top 99 percentile. To learn more about the program, please go to Microsoft
VantageLinks is pleased to support the Society for Information Management (SIM) – St. Louis Golf Scholarship Event 2010 in support of area children to achieve a better future by advancing their education. For more information please visit the St. Louis chapter of SIM at www.simnet.org.
The Wendi Gordon Shelist NF Foundation, Inc., a charitable not-for-profit corporation, was established in 2005 to educate the public and hospital medical personnel about the disease Necrotizing Fasciitis (which is more commonly known as the “flesh-eating disease.”) and protection from infections.The Foundation was established to give something back to the community and to turn a negative situation into a positive outcome.
To learn more, please attend our fund raiser this November 16, 2009 hosted by:
LURE
1204 Washington Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63103
With event activities sponsored by SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, items for auction from the best of St. Louis vendors, supported by the American Military Surgeons and Washington University School of Medicine Trauma Team. The fund raiser is actively soliciting donations from people interested in helping our cause. Should you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation, please send a check to
Wendi Gordon Shelist NF Foundation, Inc.
1061 W. Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Thank you for your support of the Foundation and we look forward to meeting on November 16, 2009 at 8:00 pm at LURE.
VantageLinks, LLC a Microsoft Certified Partner is proud to announce that it obtained a number of Microsoft competencies and specializations:
Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competencies in Storage Solutions Specialization and Active Directory Specialization.
Small Business Specialist Community competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Network Solutions Specialization.
Security Solutions competency. Within this competency, VantageLinks obtained additional competency in Identity & Secure Access Specialization.
Mobility Solutions competency.
Networking Infrastructure Solutions competency.
In order to obtain the above competencies and specializations, VantageLinks must maintain trained staff in the above categories and demonstrate expertise with its’ client supporting the above competencies and specializations.
For additional information please visit www.Microsoft.com.
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, outsourcing and staffing has been awarded the re-certificaton of a woman, business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) in parthership with Women's Business Development Center - Chicago. This certification indicates that VantageLinks is at least 51 percent woman-owned and operated, and certifies VantageLinks to do business as a WBE in the category of, information systems software development and IT consulting under SIC codes 7371, 7372, 7373, 7374, and 7375. VantageLinks has been certified on June, 2008. The current certification is through June, 2010.
Click Here to view our current certificate WBENC Certification Information
The Wound Care Specialization, Science and Technology (SST) conference will be held in Chicago July 17-19. The significant scientific advances in wound care require the focus of a physician who has received specific training on techniques to manage acute and chronic wounds. Leah Amir will be presenting on the value of implementing improvement processes to achieve improved patient outcomes for acute and chronic wounds. The Wound Care SST provides this needed training with hands on opportunities for healthcare professionals and hospital administration to return to their facilities and initiate improvement processes across their wound care programs. Effectively utilizing the benefits from the scientific advances in acute and chronic wound treatment managing these patients can become a satisfying process in quality improvement that leads to a positive return on investment. Process improvement is at the heart of VantageView and VantageLinks,LLC. Click Here to view the program Wond Care SST
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman, business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) in parthership with Women's Business Development Center - Chicago. This certification indicates that VantageLinks is at least 51 percent woman-owned and operated, and certifies VantageLinks to do business as a WBE in the category of, information systems software development and IT consulting under SIC codes 7371, 7372, 7373, 7374, and 7375. VantageLinks has been certified on June, 2008. The current certification is through June 5, 2009.
Click Here to view our current certificate WBENC Certification Information
In order for an organization to become a Certified Solution Provider, the organization must have a certain number of certified employees, client references for completed project and completed consulting engagement. To learn more about the program, please go to Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman, business enterprise (WBE) by the State of Missouri. This certification indicates that VantageLinks is at least 51 percent woman-owned and operated, and certifies VantageLinks to do business as a WBE in the category of, information systems software development and IT consulting.?VantageLinks has been certified on February 2nd, 2008. The current certification is through February 1st, 2011.
Click Here to view our current certificate WBE Certification Information
Nobember 1, 2011
Jake Amir, VP, Strategic Relations was elected to the Board of Directors for MKSSA – Missouri & Kansas Search and Staffing Association.
October 15, 2010
We have moved to new office!
Due to our growth, we have moved to a new office. Our location is in the same building. We have moved from suite 425 to suite 285. The space is larger and has a larger conference room, a kitchen and room to grow.
August 25, 2010
VantageLinks, LLC and Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC is proud to announce that it achieved a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
August 25, 2010
VantageLinks, LLC obtained additional Microsoft competencies certifications
In order to obtain Microsoft's competencies and specializations, VantageLinks must maintain trained staff in the selected competencies and demonstrate expertise with its’ client supporting the competencies and specializations
August 25, 2010
VantageLinks, LLC and Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC is proud to announce that it achieved a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
April 26, 2010
VantageLinks is pleased to support the Society for Information Management – St. Louis Golf Scholarship Event 2010 in support of area children to achieve a better future by advancing their education.SIM is an association of senior IT executives, prominent academicians, selected consultants, and other IT thought leaders built on the foundation of local chapters, who come together to share and enhance their rich intellectual capital for the benefit of its members and their organizations.
November 5, 2009
VantageLinks, LLC is please to be a proud sponsor and organizer for the Wendi Gordon Shelist Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (WGS NF)
Our mission to help raise awareness of the disease, improve the diagnosis, and treatment of the disease and through research eradicate the disease. The Event invitation is being delivered to over 3,500 attendees of the Association of Military Surgeons, the Washington University School of Medicine Division of Acute and Critical Care as well as key members of the St. Louis community. We anticipate 350-500 people will attend the fund raising event.
August 17, 2009
VantageLinks, LLC obtained multiple Microsoft competencies certifications
In order to obtain Microsoft's competencies and specializations, VantageLinks must maintain trained staff in the selected competencies and demonstrate expertise with its’ client supporting the competencies and specializations
June 28, 2009
VantageLinks, LLC received WBEC certification extension to 2010
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, outsourcing and staffing has been certified as a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
June 14, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC president Leah Amir is the feature speaker at the Wound Care SST conference in Chicago
Ms. Leah Amir, VantageLinks, LLC, President and CEO is the feature speaker at the Wound Care SST conference in Chicago.
June 12, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC is now certified WBENC
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
January 2, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC and Microsoft
VantageLinks, LLC is proud to announce that it achieved a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider.
February 6, 2008
VantageLinks, LLC, is now certified WBE
VantageLinks, LLC, a leader in information technology consulting, has been certified as a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) by the State of Missouri.
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