When CIOs look for IT managers, the majority promote from within their own ranks, according to the results of a survey by RHI Consulting. Along with giving employees more career advancement opportunities, this produces candidates who are better able to ramp up and contribute in their new roles faster.
RHI asked CIOs, " What percentage of managerial positions within your IT department are filled by candidates who were promoted from within?" The mean response was 53%. Moreover, close to one-third of respondents (32%) said that 90% of technology leadership positions at their companies where filled internally.
Conducted by an independent research firm, the poll is based on responses from more than 1,400 CIOs at U.S. firms with more than 100 employees.
"Businesses that promote from within demonstrate to employees that their contributions are rewarded, which can be a tremendous tool for motivating and retaining top talent," says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of RHI Consulting.
To position yourself for a future promotion to IT leadership, Lee offers the following recommendations:
* Find a need and fill it. Make yourself indispensable to your employer by becoming an expert in one or more areas of operations. Ask your manager what you need to do to be promoted, and follow through on his or her recommendations. Establish a timeline to mark your progress toward these goals.
* Seek a mentor. Look for someone who can offer advice on technical questions as well as issues such as navigating office politics.
* Boost your visibility. Volunteer to lead a high-profile project and don't shy away from opportunities to present to management.
* Hone your skill set. In addition to improving your technical expertise, enhance your "softer" skills such as leadership, business acumen, and verbal and written communication abilities. Company-sponsored professional development programs, online training and community college courses are all effective resources.
For more information about the survey or RHI Consulting, go to www.rhic.com/
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Amy Schurr is an editor for Network World's Management Strategies and Features sections. If you have any career topics you'd like her to cover or want to comment on this newsletter, you can reach her at aschurr@nww.com.
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