Does my banking experience count if seeking an IT job?

Glenford Smith, career writer


QUESTION: I read your columns in The Sunday Gleaner every week and appreciate the advice you give. I am seeking clarity on a matter.

I have been working in the banking sector since 2007. During the period, I completed my first degree in management information systems, graduating last November, as this is my area of interest.

I am now thinking of starting my graduate studies in computer science or management information systems.

My main problem is trying to get a job within my area of study. I have sent out résumés and replied to job applications in The Gleaner. However, to date, I have not received an interview.

I was wondering, since I lacked the necessary years of experience required by most of these information technology (IT) positions, whether I should remove from my résumé the years of experience in the financial sector? I await you kind response.

- Tremaine

SMITH: Thanks for reading Careers, first of all. Also, congratulations on completing your first degree, that is an important accomplishment.

In terms of your question, here's my advice:

Even though you are interested in a job in the IT sector, you should still include your banking work experience on your résumé. In fact, it is especially because you lack the IT work experience that you need to emphasise whatever job experience you do have.

It is true that the IT jobs which are advertised require work experience in the information and communications-technology field, which you don't possess right now. This doesn't mean, however, that your work experience in the banking sector is of no value. Quite the opposite is true, in fact.

Prospective employers are not only interested in your technical competence and experience, or your educational qualifications. They are also looking to assess other equally important aspects of your employment candidacy.

For example, are you a reliable and responsible worker? Do you work well as a member of a team? How do you handle changes and deal with stress?

Now, it's true that these abilities may seem irrelevant for someone aspiring to work as an IT professional. However, these are some of the key attributes that savvy human resource staff recruiters will look for in a prospective employer, in addition to IT qualifications and experience.

You are facing a classic problem that is frustrating many people. They wonder how they are supposed to get a job requiring several years of experience when no one is willing to give them a chance to get the experience in the first place. Especially for young graduates like you, who have to compete against equally qualified but vastly more experienced workers in an overcrowded job market, this poses a particularly difficult challenge.

To gain an edge, you have to use every advantage you have. This means that whatever knowledge, skill, work experience or special competency you have should be highlighted as a potential benefit to your prospective employer.

I wish you all the best in your job search and your future graduate studies.

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist. He is the author of a new book 'From Problems to Power: How to Win Over Worry and Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities'. glenfordsmith@yahoo.com

Does my banking experience count if seeking an IT job?

QUESTION: I read your columns in The Sunday Gleaner every week and appreciate the advice you give. I am seeking clarity on a matter.

I have been working in the banking sector since 2007. During the period, I completed my first degree in management information systems, graduating last November, as this is my area of interest.

I am now thinking of starting my graduate studies in computer science or management information systems.

My main problem is trying to get a job within my area of study. I have sent out résumés and replied to job applications in The Gleaner. However, to date, I have not received an interview.

I was wondering, since I lacked the necessary years of experience required by most of these information technology (IT) positions, whether I should remove from my résumé the years of experience in the financial sector? I await you kind response.

- Tremaine

SMITH: Thanks for reading Careers, first of all. Also, congratulations on completing your first degree; that is an important accomplishment.

In terms of your question, here's my advice: Even though you are interested in a job in the IT sector, you should still include your banking work experience on your résumé. In fact, it is especially because you lack the IT work experience that you need to emphasise whatever job experience you do have.

It is true that the IT jobs which are advertised require work experience in the information and communications technology field, which you don't possess right now. This doesn't mean, however, that your work experience in the banking sector is of no value. Quite the opposite is true, in fact.

Prospective employers are not only interested in your technical competence and experience, or your educational qualifications. They are also looking to assess other equally important aspects of your employment candidacy.

For example, are you a reliable and responsible worker? Do you work well as a member of a team? How do you handle changes and deal with stress?

Now, it's true that these abilities may seem irrelevant for someone aspiring to work as an IT professional. However, these are some of the key attributes that savvy human resource staff recruiters will look for in a prospective employer, in addition to IT qualifications and experience.

You are facing a classic problem that is frustrating many people. They wonder how they are supposed to get a job requiring several years of experience when no one is willing to give them a chance to get the experience in the first place. Especially for young graduates like you, who have to compete against equally qualified but vastly more experienced workers in an overcrowded job market, this poses a particularly difficult challenge.

To gain an edge, you have to use every advantage you have. This means that whatever knowledge, skill, work experience or special competency you have should be highlighted as a potential benefit to your prospective employer.

I wish you all the best in your job search and your future graduate studies.

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist. He is the author of a new book 'From Problems to Power: How to Win Over Worry and Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities'. glenfordsmith@yahoo.com