Raise Your Industry Profile 

  1.  Make yourself known   

• Raising your profile is simply a matter of making yourself known in the industry.
• IT professionals who are well known and respected within the IT community can often access a better selection of opportunities and may sometimes command higher compensation.
• The higher your industry profile and the more contacts you make within IT circles, the easier it will be to market yourself.

 2.  Join professional organizations

• Active participation in business and industry associations can help raise your profile.
• Try joining technology user groups, your local Chamber of Commerce/Board of Trade, and IT industry associations.
• Consider such organizations as the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) in the U.S., Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) in Canada, and many others.
• Attending and socializing at meetings adds to your network of contacts.
• Joining the executive committee of user groups or industry associations helps build ties to other members of the executive.
• If you lack time for an executive position, becoming a speaker at the group's meetings is another excellent way to establish your credentials as an industry expert.

  3.  Get published

• Another option is to write articles for publication in association newsletters or industry trade press.
• While local trade press usually does not provide monetary compensation for articles, you usually receive a byline and a one or two line description of your credentials.
• Presenting samples of your published articles can be very impressive to a potential employer or client.

  4.  Maintain high professional standards

• Your professional reputation stays with you throughout your career.
• Dealing with prospective employers or clients in a professional and ethical manner is extremely important, both while you are looking for work and on the job.
• Follow through on your commitments.
• Exceed the expectations of your employer or client.
• Treat clients, employers, and coworkers the way you would like to be treated in return