The Surprising Entry-Level Skills IT Hiring Managers Want

Ever feel like you’re just not on the same page with the hiring managers you’re interviewing with? A recent study of job applicants and hiring managers by DeVry University’s Career Advisory Board revealed that only 14% of hiring managers felt that they had found most of what they were looking for in job candidates – while 56% of the job seekers surveyed felt confident that they knew what qualifications were required for employment. So what are IT hiring managers really looking for in entry-level applicants? The top six answers, revealed in CIO Insights’ survey of top IT executives from 112 companies nationwide, just might surprise you . . .

Skill #6: Functional Area Knowledge. Surprising as it may seem, only 21% of CIOs said that technical knowledge like knowing how to code or managing a database were a key skill they were seeking. Advice to job seekers: make sure you have basic competencies, but don’t panic if you’re not an expert on all things technical when applying for an entry-level position.

Skill #5: Business Analysis. 22% of CIOs surveyed said that they were looking for entry-level hires with the kind of skills necessary to analyze markets and competition, and help their organizations gain an edge. Like technical skills, it pays to know the basics of business analysis, but in-depth expertise is not required at the entry level.

Skill #4: Collaboration and Teamwork. Nearly half (45%) of CIOs are looking for this skill. Even at the entry level, you may be working with other IT professionals, vendors or clients – and organizations want to be sure you can handle it right from the start. Try to highlight group projects and interpersonal skills during your interview.

Skill #3: Oral and Written Communications. It doesn’t matter how great you are technically if you can’t explain what you’re doing to anyone else. That’s why 47% of CIOs demand that entry-level hires have quality communications skills. Your resume, cover letter and the interview itself are great opportunities to reassure hiring managers that you can handle the demands of writing reports or making presentations.

Skill #2: Ethics and Tolerance. Over half of the CIOs surveyed (51%) named this an essential skill for entry-level IT workers. Plagiarism may be growing in schools and copyrights mean little in the YouTube age – but they can cause criminal complications in the workplace. Tolerance is equally imperative, as the global economy means that customers and coworkers will come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

Skill #1: Problem-Solving. This is the top skill that CIOs are looking for in entry-level hires. Whether it’s solving a technical problem like linking multiple systems, or an operational problem such as deciding which group is responsible for which tasks, organizations expect their employees to be able to reconcile problems on the job from day one.

Want more great tips for landing the tech job of your dreams? Contact the experienced IT recruiting specialists at Triumph Services today!