Your IT team is the backbone for your company. It keeps employees productive and information accessible. However, IT roles can be difficult to fill.
IT is the engine that propels your business forward, from daily user support to complex system integration. Because technology is constantly changing, IT staff must be well-equipped to meet the demands of mobile-first consumers and keep up with the competition.
How can you be sure which IT roles are necessary to remain competitive?
Top IT Roles You Must Hire
It is impossible to be an expert in everything. IT is a vast industry that has many niches and specialties. IT support is not enough. You need a team of IT professionals that can implement technology strategically to achieve your goals.
Modern businesses need IT roles that are targeted and highly skilled to scale and grow, such as help desk management, maintenance, security, development, and data mining. According to our 2019 State of IT Training report,63% of decision-makersplanned to maintain or increase investments in information technology
Here are seven crucial IT roles that you can focus your hiring efforts:
Hardware Technician
Hardware technicians are responsible for maintaining servers and computers. They are responsible for many aspects of computer and network maintenance, including upgrades, troubleshooting and security, as well as support for maintaining high-quality networks.
Hardware technicians are responsible for basic tasks such as system updates. However, they should not be overlooked. Old patches are responsible for many debilitating attacks such as Spectre and Meltdown.
Experience:3+ yearsSalary Range:$33,000-$58,000Suggested Training:Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician,CompTIA A+ CertificationandCompTIA Server+ Certification
HELP DESK ANALYST and HELPDESK SUPPORT
The most visible IT role in a company is the help desk analyst. They are the first line of IT support, answering technical questions and resolving them to keep customers and employees happy.
They are the gatekeepers that identify and escalate security threats and problems immediately. They may also be able to troubleshoot more complicated systems and applications depending on your needs.
Experience:1-5 yearsSalary Range:$44,000-$48,000Suggested Training:Microsoft technical training courses,CompTIA A+ Certification
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER
Although they both work with networks, engineers and network administrators have different roles. Administrators manage networks while network engineers design and develop them.
Network engineers and administrators have a good understanding of your company’s IT structure. They not only manage and monitor networks but also design them to support future expansion. They are responsible for designing and implementing wireless and physical networks, as well as integrating new technologies and ensuring that they perform well.
Experience:2-5+ yearsSalary Range:$55,000-$70,000Suggested Training:There is a range of training courses and certifications available depending on your preferred IT vendor and needs:
CiscoCisco CCNA CertificationCisco CCNP CertificationRed HatCompTIACompTIA A+ CertificationCompTIA Network+ CertificationCompTIA Security+ CertificationMicrosoftMicrosoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)VMwareVMware Certified Professional on Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)BUSINESS ANALYST
Business analysts are the link between businesspeople and IT teams within an organization. They use data, processes, and information to solve business problems.
The specific deliverables will vary depending on the needs of your organization. Business analysts are responsible for reviewing processes, documenting improvements, and sharing them with others.
They may be able to help you implement new IT solutions, or build an IT framework that will allow you to scale your business. They will also analyze your current IT environment and business environment to find new opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Experience:2-5 yearsSalary Range:$55,000-$90,000Suggested Training:Certified Business Analysis
IT PROJECT MANAGER
Your organization will benefit from the expertise of project managers who manage IT projects.
They bridge the gap between vision & execution by translating high-level strategies into concrete steps. IT project managers work in collaboration with other departments to ensure projects are aligned with business goals. They manage every aspect of the project, from budget and scope management to task management.
Project managers must have a solid understanding of the technical platforms and methodologies that are relevant to their organization, in addition to being certified and skilled in project management.
Experience:5+ yearsSalary Range:$75,000-$100,000Suggested Training:Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)andProject Management Professional (PMP),CompTIA Project +
MANAGER OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IT systems are no more self-contained. They are robust, complex, and increasingly dependent on third-party vendors, cloud services providers, and applications. This is where a great systems engineer manager can be of value.
Systems engineers manage IT infrastructure and systems. They make recommendations, monitor performance, and work with IT managers and project managers to achieve department goals. They also manage the architecture and design of development systems.
Experience:7+ yearsSalary Range:$65,000-$100,000Suggested Training:VMware Certified Professional on Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)
IT DIRECTOR, VICE-PRESIDENT, CIO/CTO
It is difficult to align IT and business value. Executive leadership and IT teams often work in silos, which can lead to missed opportunities to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and achieve business goals.
This gap is bridged by the IT director.
IT director is typically the most senior IT position in the company.
