1. WELCOME TO MODULE 2 OF WRITING IT RESUMES!
Today, we're talking about IT managers and directors - my favorite IT job titles!
You'd think that the difference between "manager" and "director" would mean something. However, those titles get used interchangeably.
IT management and director resumes include typical IT elements (e.g., network and system administration, security), yet we're very familiar with everything else they potentially do.
For example:
- Department Staffing & Management
- Project Financials & Forecasting
- Customer Service & Retention
These job titles are liberally used and can be catch-all for IT professionals who do it all and have zero direct reports ...
... or they don't do much hands-on work because they have an IT team.
Despite the title variation, IT managers and directors:
- May not have direct reports
- May not have financial responsibilities
- May not be the driving force behind tech innovations
As your knowledge of IT roles expands, you'll discover those job roles within IT tend to be fluid.
For example, an IT manager-director manages the daily tasks associated with the department. Yet, they can strategize, plan, and implement new technologies. Advanced tech initiatives are often left to higher-up professionals, such as Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs).
When you start working with an IT manager or director, ensure you understand where they fall on the spectrum. Are they more support, management, or both?
To get a better scope of what your manager or director does, get answers to questions like these:
- Do you manage an IT staff? Outsourced staff?
- What's your responsibility for department financials?
- Do you audit and introduce new technologies?
- Are you establishing new policies, procedures, and systems?
- Are tech projects and helpdesk activities completed in-house, or are you working with an outsourced team?
You may not need to ask all these questions before understanding your client's contribution to their employer. Chances are you'll need only get to question three or so.
As we recommended, understand where your IT manager or director lands: more support, management, or both.
Regards,
2. WHAT ARE IT MANAGERS AND DIRECTORS?
Simply put, IT managers and directors oversee:
- Network Administration
- Software Configuration & Management
- Communications & Connectivity
- Infrastructure Architecture
- Data Processing, Distribution & Management
- Network & System Security
- Helpdesk Support/Troubleshooting
They could be doing the work themselves or have a team. The team could be employees, outsourced contractors, or both.
The company's size has much to do with the scope of these positions.
It's common to find professionals in these roles with c-level job titles, including Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
The fluidity of these titles is what makes IT resumes challenging. Sometimes when writing resumes for a CTO and IT manager, they could do the same job despite the job title difference.
As resume writers, we need a clear understanding of their job roles because their job titles can be misleading.
3. KEYWORDS FOR IT MANAGERS-DIRECTORS
Agile Methods
AI-Powered Applications
Application Architecture Planning
Application Portfolio Management
Budget Planning & Financial Forecasting (IT)
Business Analysis
Business Continuity Management
Business Information Services
Business Information Warehousing
Business Impact Analysis
Business Intelligence Tools
Business Process Improvements
Business Process Mapping & Analysis
C-Level Liaison
Competitive Differentiation
Complex IT Planning
Contingent Workforce
Continuous Process Improvements
CRM & ERP Development & Management
Current & Emerging Technologies
Database Development/Management
Desktop/Helpdesk Programs
Emerging Technologies
Enterprise Resource Planning (SAP & Oracle)
Enterprise Systems
ERP Functionality
Global Data Center Collaborations
Global Enterprise-Level Systems
Global Tech Enhancements/Integrations
Information Security & Compliance
Internal Customer Management
International Relationship Development
Internet of Things (IoT)
IT Application Steering & Management
IT Best Practices
IT Business Alignment
IT Compliance & Security
IT Governance
IT Operations Management/Planning
IT Security
IT Strategies & Processes
IT Project Development/Implementation
LAN/WAN Technologies
Large-Scale Project Planning & Management
Lead Technology Management
Managed Vendor Contracts
Multi-Site Security Architecture/Management
Network & System Integrations
Network Design & Infrastructure
Network Security & Risk Avoidance
Network System Requirements
Office Automation
Product/Service Development
Project Executive
Project Lifecycle Administration
Project Portfolio Management
Quality Controls/Assurance
Resource Allocation
Security & Risk Management
Software Development
SOP Author & Compliance
Staff Management/Coaching
System & Business Analysis/Solutions
System Infrastructure Development
System Migrations/Improvements/Upgrades
Tailored Technical Solutions
Team Hiring/Training/Mentoring/Management
Tech Contract Negotiations
Tech Strategies & Policies
Technical Consulting
Technical Resource Management
Technology Development
Technology Roadmapping
Vendor & Partner Management
Vendor Management
Virtualization, Consolidation & Enterprise Planning
Voice/Network/Business Applications
Vulnerability Assessments
Workflow Administration
4. CERTIFICATIONS
Because IT managers start their careers in other roles, such as network or system administration, it's not uncommon for them to have certifications commonly found within other IT areas.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
- Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet (MCP+I)
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Security+ Certification
- Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification
5. HOW IT RESUMES DIFFER
When writing IT resumes, take into consideration that there are specific differences.
First, IT resumes don't always contain heavy-hitting achievements when technical professionals aren't privy to bottom-line improvements. Achievements can be found by digging deep into the following:
- Contract Negotiations
- Project Cost Reductions
- Budget Optimization
- Time Savings/Efficiency From New Processes & Systems
Second, IT resumes generally include more technical details, including software, equipment, operating systems, tools, etc. It's common to see sections that look like this:
TECHNICAL SKILLS | Microsoft/Linux Virtual Servers, VMware, IPX/SPX TCP/IP, SharePoint, LANDesk Service Desk, Symantec Altiris, Tenable Nessus, SolarWinds SIEM, Netwrix Auditor, TACACS+, MS 365 Admin, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Cisco Unified VoIP, Unitrends, Service Now, Microsoft Azure AD
Third, IT resumes tend to have hefty certification and training categories because continued education in those roles is vital to staying competitive in today's job market.
6. EXAMPLE RESUMES
7. DOWNLOADS
Project Intake Questions for IT Professionals (use these questions for client intake)
Project Quick Sheet for CIOs (IT Managers-Directors) (each project quick sheet contains terms to know, keywords, an expanded list of intake questions, and example sentences)
