IT jobs in London
The IT industry in the UK is a rapidly expanding one, and as technological advancement remains a defining feature the 21st century, the market is expected to grow significantly over the coming years. While IT employers have always sourced qualified workers to fill positions for IT managers, IT directors and Senior Developers in large numbers, recent trends have revealed that demand for a higher level of skills is on the rise. Not only is this industry a competitive one, but employees are expected to keep up with the changing and developing needs of the businesses that employ them. The outlook for the UK IT market is good: Above-average employment growth is predicted until 2014.
Typical skills required for IT jobs in London
Many employers in the Information Technology industry hire individuals who have acquired IT qualifications from universities and colleges. However, it is also common for companies to favour candidates with market-related experience over those with a solid academic background but a limited CV. Technical and analytical expertise is vital in this industry, and is often more highly regarded than a candidate’s qualification.
It is important to bear in mind that IT professionals need to be flexible and able to adapt to the ever-changing demands of their industry. As technologies advance, so should the skills and capabilities of individuals working in IT. In recent years, the UK has experienced a marked decline in the availability of adequately-skilled IT professionals. This is good news for well-qualified, experienced candidates who are seeking IT jobs in London, particularly application developers and programmers who are proficient in Java – a skill which is especially sought after and well remunerated.
Whatever your level of expertise, it is likely that you’ll be given further training once you are hired for an IT position, as this industry invests far more in training than most other sectors. Depending on your position –be it Junior Programmer, Systems Administrator or a related IT support role – you’ll probably be expected to complete training programmes designed to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Types of London IT jobs
IT opportunities in London are plentiful and varied. Approximately 40 percent of all IT specialists in the UK work in London and the South East, the majority of whom fill positions in technology development, programming, IT services and systems testing and analysis. A significant percentage of individuals working within the industry are employed in related but less technical positions, such as customer support and consultancy. Those outside the industry are often found to be filling roles in the manufacturing, financial and retail sectors. That said, IT positions are available in almost all private and public spheres.
Vacancies for most types of IT-related jobs are fairly easy to come by in London. Project Managers, Web Developers, Programmers and Database Administrators should not battle to find employment in the Greater London area, where IT managers and analysts are also in reasonably high demand. Salaries differ from company to company, and larger firms tend to pay higher wages. Nevertheless, IT specialists in London can expect to be remunerated well. In 2005, the average starting salary for graduates was £28 095. IT Managers can earn up to £45 000, and Project Managers up to £65 000 per annum. Generally, vacancies exist across all employment levels.
Most common IT jobs in London
Almost every business in London requires IT support to a greater or lesser extent and, for this reason, IT specialists could find themselves working for any number of different organisations, including airports, games developers, construction companies and insurance agencies.
Recent graduates will often find themselves taking up positions as Computer Programmers and Analysts, IT and Computer Consultants, Software Engineers, Systems Analysts and Computer Operations Managers. New recruits should expect stringent deadlines, constant challenges and, on occasion, extended working hours.
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