Getting a Job in IT Consulting (Part I)

If you are considering a career in IT consulting, there are many things to think about. It can be difficult to get a job in this field because there are so many people out there that believe they know more about computers than they really do. Someone who has tinkered with computers and is able to get them to work may consider himself or herself an expert. However, computer consulting can require a certification exam to prove that you know what you need to know to do the work.

A computer consultant may work for several different companies or work short term for one company before moving on to the next. You might be called in for computer support when a company is upgrading the operating system for all the computers in their company. In this case, you might upgrade the operating system and then hold a class on how to use the new software. However, you may not be on site to help with any issues that come up while they are using the new software. Often, it is easier to deal with issues that come up when you find out about them before they become a crisis. Because of this, computer consulting can be as stressful as any computer support or technical support job. Instead of working for a single company, you are working for many different ones.

Since IT consulting can cover such a broad range of possibilities in computer support, it is difficult to know just what you should study for such a career. You may need to know how to troubleshoot local area networks, how to set up several different types of network and computer sharing programs, and how to lay network cable. Additionally, since telephone systems are becoming increasingly computerized, if you work in IT consulting, you might need to know how to troubleshoot computer telephony integration.

With the exception of a freelance computer consultant, anyone who decides to get a job in IT consulting will need to get at least one certification showing that they know how to work on and troubleshoot computer networks. There are several different types of certifications offered, including hardware, software and network certifications. Searching on the Internet for computer certifications will generate a list of the certifications that you can decide to test for. Remember, the cost of these tests can add up, you will want to find out what certifications are needed for you to start your career in the field that you are interested in. Deciding on certain certifications does not mean that you cannot later decide to test for the other certifications. You are giving yourself the base to find a job in IT consulting. Many colleges and vocational schools offer courses in both hardware and software troubleshooting. These classes will prepare you to take certification tests. Schools often offer to help with job placement once you have completed the suggested courses.

Most of the time, you will have to be persistent to get a job in IT consulting. This is a growing field, but some of the potential employers will not seek to hire anyone until they are no longer able to keep up with the jobs they have. As a general rule, if the employer waits until they are unable to keep up with their job load, they will not want to have to train anyone. You will need to have all of the requirements before you apply for the job. Some who work in computer consulting do so after they have left a job in the computer industry. As they still have the contacts in this industry, they can offer to work as a consultant for their old employer. They may also offer to work for their former employer's competitors.

Many computer support jobs are highly sought after. This is a very competitive field, as most who choose to go into computer consulting will consider computer support jobs to be a stepping-stone to the job they truly want. Additionally, many people who grew up using computers know enough to work in computer support. A lot of these people are already the computer support person for their own family and friends. Many who are the computer support person for their family and friends may not know enough to be a computer support technician, so do not count on this situation to help get you a job in computer support.

It is possible to get a job as a computer support technician. You need to make sure that you learn everything that is required for this job. You may need to take jobs through a temporary agency at first to get the experience required by many of your potential employers. Like getting a job in IT consulting, you will want to be persistent when you apply for companies. Some of these companies are so busy they may be desperate for help by the time their job posting makes it to the paper. If you have already submitted a resume before they post the job, you are a step ahead of those who have been waiting around for the company to start hiring.

What you earn as an IT consultant will be determined by what certifications you have and how much experience you have in the field. Your pay may vary according to where you live. If the company is located in many different cities across the country, they will determine the average salary for all of the cities and use that salary as a basis for what they offer their new hires.