How to become an IT Manager?

An IT manager is a professional who looks after the information and technology requirements of a corporation. He or she has to oversee, coordinate, and direct IT projects as well as the software, hardware, and wireless systems used by the organization. This field is considered to offer opportunities for career advancement as well as high-end salaries. Here is the topic- How to become an IT Manager?

Now as you have started your research on how to become an IT manager, you must go through the following article to get a gist of the career prospects, required skills, duties, salary, and other important information you need to know.

Qualifications required

An IT manager plays a significant role in the development of a company as corporations have become dependable on computer systems for almost every task. They are also responsible for expanding the company’s information systems. Therefore, it becomes important to have technology as your background of studies. The qualifications necessary for an IT management job are as follows-

It is preferable to opt for computer electives in high school and middle school to build a good base for technical knowledge.
A bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science is generally the most required one in CIS (computer and information systems) management positions. Other important areas you need to work on will be software development, computer programming, and computer network security.
Management skills are necessary for this job position. Therefore, it is suggested to apply for an MBA program that mainly focuses on managerial, technical, and strategic concepts such as MBA in Technology Management. It is one of the best courses to pursue career advancement in information and technology. You can also opt for master’s programs related to technology and project management.
To become a certified IT worker, you need to qualify for some exams. Start with a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification. This is a normal-level exam that tests your knowledge of configuring, installing switches and network routers, and upgrading the network of a corporation with the launch of new technologies.
To verify yourself and prove that you have good knowledge of the software and hardware used by various companies, become a CompTIA A+ Technician by registering for its exam. You can go through the CompTIA website and apply for its online exam consisting of 90 questions.
You should also earn the CompTIA Network+ certification to prove your caliber in configuring, designing, and troubleshooting wireless networks. It will add to your IT skillset.

Courses and Internships

An internship in this field after a bachelor’s degree is recommended. It will help you make an impression on the employer that you have real-time experience in this employment area as well as with the management. You can also register for a boot camp online or at the university. Many boot camps help people launch themselves into their careers as IT workers.

To enhance your preparation for certification exams, you can opt for preparation courses offered by the companies producing the certifications. In case it turns out to be expensive for you, there are many online courses available to practice well.

Upper-level certifications

Some areas of expertise such as cloud storage, Java programming, SAP implementation, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and database management are particular to IT managers. Try to certify these skills. Additionally, you can obtain a certification in Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE). You can also apply for these courses after working and earning for some time as an entry-level IT worker.

Skills required

Becoming an IT manager demands a strong foundation of leadership and communication skills along with technical abilities as companies are shifting towards cloud-based systems. All the corporations are investing in software, communication services, etc. that will become the key driver of growth. The skills required to become a successful IT manager are as follows-

Paying close attention to technological mistakes:

It is very important since technological mistakes can end up being very costly. Also, it poses a high risk of a data breach, that is, leaking of sensitive or private information of the company. According to IBM Securities, each data breach costs almost $3.86 million to the corporation. Not only the skill of attention to detail will save you from data breach but also help you minimize or resolve all possible problems before they even occur.

Leadership and management expertise:

Both of these skills are equally important as you will be responsible for managing budgets, timelines as well as leading various IT projects, planning and directing the needed upgrades in the department. Therefore, you will be expected to have a built-in ability of management as well as leadership.

Strategic planning:

IT managers need to be big-picture thinkers who understand how technology plays or will play a major role in the company’s development and needs. And, they need to strategically plan so that the business goals of the company can be achieved and the efficiency of the systems get improved.

Communication skills:

IT managers have to lead their team effectively, meet with the leaders of other business corporations to establish strong relations, train new employees, draft and set new initiatives in motion. Also, you will always have to explain new technologies to all workers as well as stakeholders of the company. It is not possible without strong communication skills and it remains in demand for most of your time at work.

A desire to continue advancing in your career and learn:

You should have an inner yearning to learn and evolve with the upcoming technology and gain certifications that are industry-recognized such as CCNP (advanced Cisco certification for networking skills) and CompTIA certifications. You can also build it up to expert-level certifications and keep adding to your technical skillsets.

Entry-level IT worker

In such a competitive world, it will not be possible to directly to the position of an IT manager. You will be required to have experience in the area of information and technology. Therefore, you must work as an entry-level IT worker for at least 5-6 years before you join a company at the position of an IT manager. Here is a list of prominent entry-level IT worker jobs you can start your career with-

Database administrator
Cloud engineer
Help desk technician
Systems administrator
Information security analyst
Web developer
Software developer
IT technician
Site reliability engineer
Systems analyst

Precise resume and cover letter

You need to present your resume in such a way that it showcases your skills in technology and management. Therefore, it is best to list your degrees and all other certifications at the top of your resume. Always remember to write more about your achievements in your past jobs instead of explaining your daily routine tasks. But do mention some important duties of an IT manager such as program management, developing, maintaining, and implementing different information systems.

It is important to tailor a resume for every different job position you apply for. Therefore, always read the listings carefully. It will help you to know what the company wants in its potential hire. Insert important keywords to increase the chances of your resume getting selected as many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that look for specific job-related keywords like ‘education’, ‘skills’, etc. in the candidate’s resume. It is important to determine a layout that has all aspects the ATS and the hiring manager would want in the resume. But the resume should be concise and precise at the same time not exceedingly more than 1 page.

The cover letter (used to explain the contents of the CV) should also be as impressive as the resume. It is also preferred to be written on one single page. Here, you need to express your willingness and enthusiasm to work as an IT manager in the company. Also, explain your inclination towards the IT field as well as the position in the company you have applied for. Before submitting the resume and cover letter, proofread them multiple times to avoid any typo or information mistakes.

Conclusion

Becoming an IT manager requires a lot of hard work, time, and the development of interpersonal skills. But it is worth all work and wait as it is some of the highest paying jobs providing ample career advancement opportunities. Therefore, honest dedication to this field will reap beneficial outcomes.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are some commonly asked IT manager interview questions?

The major areas of interview questions asked for this position are role-specific, situational, behavioral, and operational questions. You need to have a solid technical background as many questions will be aimed at your information and technology knowledge. It is a senior-level post so your in-depth understanding of the best industry practices will be at the test along with relevant experience. Important interview questions to prepare for are as follows-

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of cloud applications?

List the most important duties of an IT manager.
How do you keep yourselves updated with the latest technologies introduced in the market?
In your previous job postings, what were your significant contributions towards improving their IT infrastructure?
How do you motivate your colleagues or team members if they are not performing well?
Which information Analysis system are you most familiar with?
How do you ensure the security of confidential data?

What is the average salary of an IT manager?

An IT manager earns an average salary of around $78,692 per year. It is 35% above the national average income. The salary can range from $41,277 per year to $150,021 per year. Salary according to the seniority of an IT manager is as follows-

Starting level (10^th percentile)- $19.84 per hour or $41,277 per year
Junior-level (25^th percentile)- $26.94 per hour or $56,033 per year
Mid-level (50^th percentile)- $37.83 per hour or $78,692 per year
Senior-level (75^th percentile)- $53.13 per hour or $110,513 per year
Top-level (90^th percentile)- $72.13 per hour or $150,021 per year

District of Columbia offers higher salaries than most other US states. Some of the lowest are offered by the Virgin Islands.