Your IT Career
by Eric Bloom
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Saying “It’s not what I do” can get you unemployed

By Eric Bloom

Jonathan continued to say that if you are currently highly skilled in a particular technology, keep your technical edge, but broaden your view by knowing how your technology fits into the larger technical picture.

If you are currently a technical generalist, use this wide knowledge base to your advantage by becoming the combination of a technology integrator and a technical switch hitter. That is to say, be the internal architect that helps define how various technologies seamlessly connect and then allow yourself to be deployed to work on the technology where you are needed the most.

Lastly, whether you are a generalist or specialist, new to the profession or very experienced, and/or interested in learning new technologies or not, learn about the business you serve. A non-technical IT megatrend that has taken the industry by storm is that IT leaders, and in turn their staffs, must be business-centric first and technology-centric second. If you are not, you are limiting your upward mobility, potentially making decisions that don’t align with your company’s vision, and may, in time, be replaced by someone who truly believes that IT exists to serve the business.

Jonathan Rider and his company Jetstream Consulting can be found at www.JetstreamConsulting.com.

If you have any questions about your career in IT, please email me at
eric@ManagerMechanics.com or find me on Twitter at @EricPBloom.

Until next time, work hard, work smart, and continue to grow.

Read more of Eric Bloom's Your IT Career blog and follow the latest IT news at ITworld. Follow Eric on Twitter at @EricPBloom. For the latest IT news, analysis and how-tos, follow ITworld on Twitter and Facebook.

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Eric P. Bloom, a former CIO, is president of Manager Mechanics LLC, a company specializing in information technology (IT) leadership development and the governing organization for the Information Technology Management and Leadership Professional (ITMLP©) and Information Technology Management and Leadership Executive (ITMLE©) certifications.

He is also a keynote speaker, nationally syndicated columnist, National Speakers Association member, and author of various books including the following:

- The CIO’s Guide to Staff Needs, Growth, and Productivity
- Your IT Career: Get Noticed, Get Promoted, and Build Your Professional Brand
- Manager Mechanics: Tips and Advice for First-Time Managers.

Prior to founding Manager Mechanics, Eric led technology at Independence Investments and The Boston Company Asset Management. Eric was also a SVP of Business Systems at Monster Worldwide and a VP of Software Development at Fidelity Investments.

Eric began his career as a software developer (programmer) and moved through the ranks to CIO. He understands IT management from the bottom up. As they say, "He walks the walk."

Additional information on Eric can be found at www.ericpbloom.com and www.ManagerMechanics.com. He can be contacted at eric@ManagerMechanics.com.