Just starting out in any industry, including IT, will have a variety of challenges. You have to learn the ropes of working within a corporate environment as well as how to manage your daily tasks and duties. This can be overwhelming when you’re just starting out. So, how can you succeed in your new IT career? Here are some of our favorite tips for new IT professionals for before accepting that first job and how to manage your career moving forward.

1. Don’t make it all about money. Before you accept your first job offer, you will need to make an important decision about salary. Many people feel that taking the highest paying job will be the best career choice, but that isn’t always the case. Weigh everything from the experience you’ll get to the location of the company to make your best choice.
2. Decide between tech and management. Almost all IT professionals start out their careers in hands-on tech roles, but eventually you’ll come to a fork in the road. There are two paths: tech and management. Every choice you make throughout the first stages of your career will need to be directed at one of these two eventual choices.
3. Create a multi-year plan. Some experts suggest starting with a five year plan. This can help you better determine your milestones along the way. Where do you see yourself in five years? What do you need to do to achieve that? Now, break those goals down into realistic tasks that can help you advance your career in the right direction.
4. Build your social reputation. Today’s world is driven by social media, so it is critical that you have the right reputation in place online. Buy your own domain name to ensure that it can’t be used by someone else. Create accounts on the top social media sites, like Twitter and Facebook Pages. To establish yourself as a thought leader and expert in your field early on, start a blog.
5. Get out of your comfort zone. When considering your first jobs in IT, don’t just follow the path of least resistance. Being comfortable is great, but being uncomfortable is where you’ll see yourself make real progress. When you accept a job that is just beyond your comfort zone, you’ll challenge yourself in ways you never imagined.

Do you want to get your IT career started off on the right foot? We have IT recruiters located in Phoenix, Orange County, Los Angeles and Denver, so contact us today!