The It Career Builder's Toolkit [With CD-ROM]

The IT Career Builder's Toolkit by Matthew Moran (Cisco Press, 2005) is actually a useful toolkit for building a career in many other fields as well. The author has taken the trouble to uncover a great many universal truths about the relationship between employee and employer, the bottom-line mentality of human resource management in business, and the effects of the current economy on new entrants to the job market. It was really unusual to see a business book that didn't seem to just echo the platitudes of every other business book on the market, but which instead, by reflecting on the state of affairs in one particular vocation, and focusing on the specific problem of starting out as an entry level candidate, repeatedly illustrated techniques that people can apply in any stage of their career, and in may different professions. This is because so many of the players in everyone's career are aptly introduced, with numerous tips on how to deal with the ones who may have forgotten to take their medication this morning, or who may have more of an influence on your future than you think. The numerous personas of interviewers, bosses, coworkers, and the people you are ultimately helping-your users-are drawn up so that you can recognize them when you see them, and handle a variety of situations as a professional. For instance, even if a scrap of criticism is too harsh, is there a grain of truth in it? And if you are concerned about a pending performance review or how your supervisor views your progress, you may want to assign a self-evaluation and report the results to your supervisor. The author gives a vivid account of how well that worked for him. But of course the focus is on helping the young entrant to the IT job market. To this end, he presents the concept of a toolkit, or a complete set of tips and tactics that can be applied at many different stages of a career: the point is to choose the right tool for the situation. The other analogy is that the book is for career building, not just putting together a succession of jobs. The would-be IT professional is encouraged to consider exactly what skills should be honed, what relationships should be developed, what approach should be taken to building a satisfying work life. It is very tempting to plow ahead and get the next hot certification, or to hop to the next job that pays a few bucks more or touches on the trendiest technology. It is useful to be reminded that-even in the post-bubble chill with salaries down from their happy heights and jobs for which you have to compete rather than step into-you can build a more satisfying career by deliberately designing and planning it instead of just adding jobs to the pile. Still, the author realizes that there are not a lot of choices at first, and so a lot of care is put into describing how to make the most of any job. It compares and contrasts a number of possible situations the new employee might wind up in-enterprise versus SMB, IT department

Today, I have finished The IT Career Builder's Toolkit, and I an honestly say that I have added it to my recommended reading material. I feel it is a must read for those starting out in life, and to those who have found their lifelong career path. For those starting out, The IT Career Builder's Toolkit serves as a manual for career building. Matt sets expectations for those new to the field, and he helps that on a path to success. For those who are in the field, Matt reminds the seasoned IT Pro to reflect were they current are in their profession, and he urges them to rise to the top of their field. Throughout the book, Matt provides tools, guidance, and experience that can be added to your own career toolkit. I could hear him asking me, "Are you planning on being an average professional?" The IT Career Builder's Toolkit is a must read for anyone in the professional workplace.

Like a runner benefits from an hour in the weight room after 40 miles on the track, so the IT technician will do well to spend some time reading the IT Career Builder's Toolkit by Matthew Moran. You do not have to be technical at all to read this book. It is full of good common sense advice from an information technology perspective. It is the first Cisco Press book that has caught the eye of my non-technical friends. Moran emphasizes the development of the soft skills that are so necessary to really succeed in any career. He explains that we must become agnostic about which technology or process we use and more cognizant of the big picture of how technology can accomplish business needs and profitability. Concerning this focus he asks the reader, "Are you a pure technologist or a systems analyst?" There are 3 helpful sections on the CD. Career Management Tools has examples such as resumes, cover letters, opportunity tracker, self assessment form, and status reports. Consulting Tools has tips on sales presentations, case studies, and solution selling. Financial Tools, includes budget and cash flow planning and sample spreadsheets. The book is divided into short easy to read chapters. I particularly enjoyed Moran's writing style which consists of well organized paragraphs consisting of tight punchy sentences. The book is the result of the author's years of experience of applying solutions for his employers and customers through managing his own and others IT skills. Before you read one more technical manual, I recommend you read the IT Career Builder's Toolkit!

The IT Career Builder's Toolkit ISBN: 1587131560 The IT Career Builder's Toolkit by Matthew Moran was something that was very unexpected from Cisco. This book is not a technical book but more of a reference guide for those looking to break into the field. The book is broken down into the following five main sections: 1. An introduction to career building This deals with defining what a career is like in IT and the benefits of pursuing it. It goes over the perks and risks involved with the industry such as fast promotions as well as the risk of outsourcing to the industry. This section provides a good foundation for those who might be interested in a career change or those who are just entering the work force. 2. Filling your toolkit This section goes over the skills that are going to be necessary to work in the IT industry. Most people think that if you are technically strong you will not have any problems landing a good job. This is not the case. With the current job market, employers are putting a lot more emphasis on soft skills. Soft skills deal with communication, interaction with others, as well as many other aspects. Information is provided on resume creation as well as putting together a good cover letter. 3. Putting your toolkit to use The third section deals with the actual job hunt, interviewing, as well as salary negotiation. I do not have that much to say about this section. Most people looking for work have searched the internet high and low for information regarding interviewing. There were not really any new ideas or concepts presented in this section but the author did a good job bundling the information together. 4. More options to build your career If you are thinking about consulting, then this section is for you. The author did a good job breaking the myth that a consultants life is great because they set their own hours and charge whatever they want. For those of us who have done consulting before know that this could not be any further from the truth. So this section is a great read before jumping into that fire. 5. The value-added technologist This presents some good ideas on how to make the company think you are a star. I personally think that should be done by working you tail off but that does not always work out. This sections also deals with passing on knowledge to workers who are at a lower level. I am still pretty shocked to see Cisco Press come out with a book that was not a technical reference or certification guide. That said, I thought that the book was a quick and easy read and I would recommend it to anyone who was thinking about getting into the industry.

The days of easy job hunting in the IT field are gone, and it will be years before they return, if they ever do. The increase in automation, an economic downturn and the movement of jobs to other countries has led to a major contraction in the number of IT jobs in the United States. However, a reduced number of jobs does not mean there are none, and as always the opportunities are there for someone with the skills and drive to take advantage of them. This book is designed to help you be one of those who are successful. As the authors point out very quickly, one job is not a career, but should be considered an opportunity for advancement. That advancement can either be vertically within your current company or a combination of horizontally and vertically to another organization. The book is split into five parts: *) An Introduction to Career Building. *) Filling Your Toolkit. *) Putting Your Toolkit to Use. *) More Options to Build Your Career. *) The Value-Added Technologist. Building a career always starts with a self-assessment, where you determine what it is you want to do and if you currently have the skills to do it. That is where the book begins. All of the standard components, such as the resume, cover letter, contact list and so forth are covered. The authors reinforce one point very strongly; namely that communication skills transcend all areas. In the past, talented IT personnel could be lacking in communication skills, as many people were awed by the technology and the people who understood it. Furthermore, in general, those who understood the technology were the ones who used it. Now, with major dangers lurking almost everywhere and the technology approaching the level of a commodity, those who manage it must be able to communicate effectively with those who use it. Books like this, which show you how to become a valuable IT commodity even in the worst of times, are a necessity if you are to compete in the modern job market. Being highly skilled in IT is no longer enough; people with your skills are available in other countries for a fraction of your price. Now, you also need to be skilled in communication, best business practices and other ways to make yourself indispensable. Your efforts to acquire those skills will be improved by this book.