Author Interview: Matthew Moran

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Published 2/15/2005
By Anne Martinez

GoCertify: What is the best way to compensate for lack of experience on a resume?

Matthew Moran: Emphasize the skills you are strongest in. Even if that was lab experience, emphasize it. Also, make sure you include those intangible soft-skills - communication skills and problem solving where applicable. You have to realize that to break into the field effectively, you are not likely to land your dream job as you enter the market. I started as a data entry clerk because I could type. But I will emphasize again the idea of working outside of the IT department to gain exposure and knowledge. Once a department head finds out that you are technical, you become a very valuable resource - allowing them to take on projects internally - without necessarily being put on a six month wait for IT department resources.

GoCertify: What are the most important keys to satisfaction in an IT career?

Matthew Moran: Beware of unrealistic expectations. For some reason, if someone has not attained a senior level after 5-7 years they feel they are failing. I am not against good financial compensation but often that is the only gauge people use to assess their career's progress. Of equal or greater importance is the business experience you accumulate, the professional relationships you develop, and the value of the projects you get to work on. Doing so will pay financial dividends down the road and tend to make for a more enjoyable career anyway.

GoCertify: What are the key things an employee can do to assure their value (and that the value is recognized) to their employer?

Matthew Moran: My personal soapbox; one that is starting to be talked about a lot more; is the need for the technology professional to be involved with and understand the business they serve. Additionally, technology professionals often spend a lot of time focusing on the technology but not as much time determining they value they bring to the companies they serve. It is like a building contractor walking around talking about his new Stanley Hammer - how shiny it is and the nice grip - and talking about the nails he can hammer. No one really cares - they are interested in the house. The technology professional must focus on the business model and process they support. Technology is just a tool to help achieve carefully defined business objectives.

GoCertify: Which are the best compensated IT careers currently?

Matthew Moran: I don't really spend a lot of time reviewing salary surveys. However, security professionals and programmers still do well. IT Management is also a great place to direct your career. Then there are the non-traditional technology roles. For instance, Financial Analyst and Business Analyst are often not considered technology professionals - this is where I built my career. They work in a user department, creating in-house technical solutions and often have the fast track to project management roles and into consulting.

GoCertify: What advice can you offer when negotiating a starting salary?

Matthew Moran: I am actually less concerned with starting salary and more concerned with what the measure of success is for the company. I want to know so that I can aim much higher than the bar they set. If I bring exceptional value I can approach them later and make the case for better pay and a better position, etc.

One thing that should be addressed is when and how reviews occur. But your starting salary - at least at the entry-level - is the least important aspect of your job. Of greater value is the ability to work on good projects and be exposed to a variety of technologies. Also, look for companies where they believe in project ownership - meaning of you are assigned a project, they give you the responsibility and hence the credit when it succeeds. And I am being an optimist and saying that it will succeed.

GoCertify: What advice do you have to offer to an IT professional who is currently unemployed due to a layoff?

Matthew Moran: Think way outside the way you have been taught to get work. Most job seekers go to job boards and want ads. Unfortunately, these are the least desirable way for an employer to find you. Bolles covered this in "What Color is Your Parachute" and I address it in my book precisely for the technology professional. Quite frankly, I would print up 200-300 resumes, some generic cover letters, and go out and start knocking on doors. I don't care about the title, per se, just the opportunity. The fact is, opportunity tends to generate more opportunity. If you are actively working, you are meeting people - this is how doors are opened.

GoCertify: What other advice do you have to offer regards pursing a career in IT?

Matthew Moran: I advocate a very, very, very proactive approach to controlling your career. Don't settle for being an average technologists and doing things the way "every one else does." Instead, look for those who are the most successful - consistently and emulate what they do. Chances are they aren't doing what every one else does.

Keep the value you bring to the companies you serve in the forefront of all your career activity. Speak about it with potential employers. This alone will separate you from many others.

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