In this (my first post) non-IT (sorry Ali) post I note what I think is the main things I used to get my IT job. I was actually surprise with the number of job opportunities I come across here in Oman. So, here it is…

Since I have graduated I have been doing interviews all over the place (9 until today): ministries, government agencies, government companies, to-be companies, dream-to-be companies, actual companies ..ext..ext .. For me it was interesting journey. Each interview (or test) was unique experience: a mix of meeting new people, testing my skills and Learning about myself! It is great opportunity to find what you are really after (if u haven’t decided yet). So what is it really employers are looking for? Well, first let us list the facts about them:

• They are humans with basic needs just like us. They need to feel love, security, excitement and joy! They want to be acknowledged and appreciated.

Dose any of this have anything to do with get them to hire me? Aren’t they looking for skills?

Explanation: This crab has nothing to do with neither you nor your skills. It is about them and their needs. They need to like you and be able to work with you.

• They need assurances that you will do the job.

! I have the bachelor degree aint that enough?

Explanation: We all have the degree, so what? What information they can get from it other than you spent X # of years in the Y collage. What really determine your capabilities is the projects you did, activities you involved in and the way you represent those!

• The presentation(interview) is important.

! I have skills; I have experience they should take me. But i was sick that day.

Explanation: they wouldn’t care if you ware sick that day! May be you are a nice guy but they actually don’t know that! It is very important to be in your optimal condition and do a flawless interview. That’s because employer have limited time and many candidates to choose from.

Hmmm,, ok that all I can remember right now. So, how to be ready for all this? How to drive them to give you interview anyway?!

• The Perfect CV.

Having very well written CV is a key element in job hunting process. CV is direct marketing tool for your skills and character. It contains everything that maters to employers: basic info about you, skills, experience and glimpse of your character. Make sure your CV contain skills match job requirements and contain the keywords employer is looking for. Writing a universally ‘perfect’ CV is impossible so, you have to adapt it for each job opportunity. (Change the structure and the words used for example.)

• Calling everyone!

Make sure that you: call employers for more information about jobs, do follow-up calls. Make sure that almost everyone you know (colleagues, friends, family, employers) knows that you in “job-hunt”. Sometimes opportunities come from unexpected people/organizations. For this, you have to keep in touch with everyone!

• Keep your eyes open!

Make sure that you watch for newspapers, job-search sites and major companies sites for new opportunities. For obvious reasons!

• Know what is going on!

Knowing what is going on around you is important. Make sure you know about major market events (even non IT) and new IT projects. Of course, you need to know what is going on in the IT field: new products, technologies and upcoming events. This can assist you to anticipate opportunities and be ready for them (by acquiring skills for example). Also, it improves your standing in interviews.

That’s all I can think of for now. So what do you think?

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