Monday 9th April – Friday 13th April 2018 Career of the Week Monday 9th April – Friday 13th April 2018 Week 8 – What does an IT Consultant do?

IT Consultant What does an IT Consultant do? IT consultants are great communicators and have excellent organisational skills as well as sound knowledge and understanding of IT systems.

IT Consultant IT consultants work in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in order to meet their business objectives or overcome problems. They work to improve the structure and efficiency of IT systems in various organisations. IT consultants provide strategic guidance to clients with regard to technology and IT i and enable major business processes through enhancements to IT. They may also provide guidance and technical expertise for other processes as well, such as selection and procurement and user training and feedback.

IT Consultant Responsibilities IT Consultants: meet with clients to determine requirements work with clients to define the scope of a project plan timescales and the resources needed clarify a client's system specifications, understand their work practices and the nature of their business liaise with staff at all levels of a client organisation define software, hardware and network requirements analyse IT requirements within companies and give independent and objective advice on the use of IT

IT Consultant Responsibilities develop agreed solutions and implement new systems present solutions in written or oral reports purchase systems where appropriate design, test, install and monitor new systems prepare documentation and present progress reports to customers organise training for users and other consultants be involved in sales and support, and where appropriate, maintain contact with client organisations identify potential clients and build and maintain contacts.

Skills IT Consultants need to show: leadership ability communication and interpersonal skills teamwork skills a logical approach to problem solving/analysing the ability to learn quickly confident decision making

Skills presentation skills excellent customer service skills good organisational skills to prioritise heavy workloads the ability to communicate technical information to non-IT clients and colleagues flexibility and adaptability time management skills.

Qualifications You can enter IT consultancy work with any degree, but in particular the following subjects may be useful: business studies computer science/software engineering electrical/electronic engineering information systems mathematics other science/engineering disciplines.

Work Experience Finding IT-related holiday work or an industrial placement or internship may lead directly to graduate employment. Work experience helps demonstrate client management skills and an ability to understand and communicate the business benefits of IT.

IT Consultant Working Hours Although it is generally 9am to 5pm, the nature of the industry means that extra hours are often required to meet deadlines. IT Consultants spend a lot of time travelling to client sites, mirroring the client's working hours. Self-employment is possible, where IT Consultants manage their own workload and hours.

Employers Work can be found within management consultancies, software and systems houses and some large manufacturers of computing equipment and software. IT Consultants can also focus on a particular industry, or work across a range of sectors including: financial services health manufacturing - including automotive the public sector Transport.

IT Consultant Salary Graduate IT consultants can expect to earn £20,000 to £30,000. With significant experience, they can earn in the region of £32,000 to £40,000. At a more senior level, salaries can range from £40,000 to £80,000. The exact salary depends on the demand for specific expertise. Salary is dependent on location, size and type of employer and is usually performance-related. Contract work is possible.