IT Career Networking That Doesn't Feel Fake
85% of tech jobs are filled through networking. So why does every networking guide make you cringe? Practical strategies for IT pros who hate small talk.
IT Career Development
Your comprehensive guide to advancing your IT career. Whether you're looking to move from help desk to system administration, transition into DevOps, or climb the management ladder, we've got actionable advice from IT professionals who've been there.
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The IT Director Path Nobody Talks About
You've been a senior engineer for years. Now what? The unvarnished truth about becoming an IT director, including what actually gets you there.
Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs: The Hiring Reality
514,000 cybersecurity jobs are open. So why can't you land one? The uncomfortable truth about entry-level security hiring and how to actually break in.
Sysadmin Interview Questions That Actually Matter
Skip the trivia. These technical and scenario questions separate candidates who can talk from those who can actually troubleshoot under pressure.
Network Admin to Cloud Engineer: A Realistic Path
Your networking skills transfer to cloud better than you think. A phased roadmap for network admins making the jump to cloud engineering with real salary data.
VMware Basics: Build Your First Virtual Lab
Learn VMware fundamentals with this hands-on guide. Set up your first virtual machine, understand snapshots, and build a practice lab for IT career growth.
IT Jobs Without a Degree: What's Real
78% of companies claim skills-first hiring, but do they mean it? The real breakdown of IT jobs without degree requirements, salaries, and how to get hired.
IT Burnout Recovery: How to Come Back
Already burned out? Here's the honest roadmap for recovering from IT burnout, rebuilding your career, and deciding if tech is still right for you.
Technical Lead vs Manager: Pick Your Path
The fork in your IT career is coming. Here's an honest breakdown of tech lead vs engineering manager roles, salaries, and which path fits your personality.
Work From Home IT Jobs: What's Actually Available
Remote IT jobs exist, but not where you're looking. The real breakdown of WFH positions, salaries, and how to land one without 5 years of experience.
AI Replacing IT Jobs: Hype vs Reality
Programmer jobs down 27% while security analysts grow 33%. Here's what AI is actually doing to IT careers—and which skills will keep you employed through 2030.
Is CCNA Worth It? An Honest Analysis
The CCNA costs $300 and takes months to prepare. Here's who should get it, who should skip it, and what the data actually says about salary and career ROI.
Network Engineer Interview Questions
Technical and behavioral questions hiring managers actually ask, plus the answers that get network engineers hired. From OSI model basics to automation skills.
Stuck in IT? How to Break Through a Career Plateau
You've hit a wall in your IT career. Same title, same salary, same feeling of going nowhere. Here's what's actually holding you back—and how to move again.
Where to Put Certifications on Your Resume
Most IT resumes list certs wrong. Learn the right placement, format, and strategy to make your CompTIA, AWS, or Cisco certifications actually get noticed.
How to Apply for IT Jobs the Right Way
Stop blasting your resume into the void. Learn the application strategies that actually get callbacks in IT—from targeting the right roles to standing out.
How to Find IT Mentors (When Nobody Offers)
96% say mentorship matters for career growth, yet 71% don't have one. Learn where to find IT mentors and how to build relationships that advance your career.
9 Signs You've Stayed Too Long at Your IT Job
Not sure if it's time to quit your IT job? Learn the warning signs of career stagnation, when loyalty becomes a trap, and how to leave on your terms.
IT Troubleshooting Questions That Trip Up Candidates
Most IT candidates fail troubleshooting questions by jumping to solutions. Learn the frameworks and scenarios that actually impress interviewers.
How to Explain Tech Without Eyes Glazing Over
Your brilliant technical explanations are falling flat. Here's how IT pros translate complex concepts into language anyone can understand—without dumbing it down.
Help Desk Resume: From Ignored to Interviewed
Your help desk resume is getting skipped. Here's exactly how to rewrite it with concrete examples, bullet formulas, and the structure that actually lands callbacks.
Why You're Not Getting Promoted in IT
The hard truth about IT promotions: why your work ethic isn't enough, what hiring managers actually evaluate, and the strategies that move careers forward.
5 Signs It's Time to Leave Help Desk
Staying too long at help desk can stall your IT career. Here are the warning signs you've outgrown the role and a framework for what to do next.
Help Desk Interview Tips That Actually Work
Forget memorizing technical trivia. Here's what really lands help desk jobs in 2026, straight from what hiring managers actually care about.
Sysadmin Resume: What Hiring Managers Read
Most sysadmin resumes get skipped in 6 seconds. Here's what hiring managers actually look for and exactly how to structure your resume to land interviews.
Can You Get a Help Desk Job With No Experience?
Yes, but only if you know the right approach. Here's exactly how to land your first IT help desk role without prior tech experience in 2026.
Sysadmin to DevOps: Your Fast-Track Path
Already a sysadmin? You're closer to DevOps than you think. A practical transition roadmap that builds on your existing skills instead of starting from scratch.
IT Cover Letters That Actually Get Read
Most IT cover letters get skipped. These templates and examples show what makes hiring managers stop scrolling and start scheduling interviews.
How to Land Entry-Level IT Jobs in 2026
Skip the catch-22. This practical guide shows you exactly how to get your first IT job when every posting wants experience you don't have yet.
Network Engineer: The Path Nobody Talks About
Skip the outdated advice. A realistic roadmap to becoming a network engineer in 2026, when automation skills matter more than memorizing OSI layers.
IT Resume Examples That Actually Work
Most IT resumes get ignored. These examples show exactly what hiring managers want to see, from help desk to senior roles, with templates you can use today.
How to Become an IT Manager (Honest Path)
The real path from technical roles to IT management. What actually matters, which certifications help, and whether the jump is right for you.
9 IT Interview Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
The interview mistakes that make hiring managers pass on qualified IT candidates. From going silent during technical problems to ignoring soft skills entirely.
IT Support to Cybersecurity: Your Unfair Advantage
You're already halfway there. How help desk and IT support experience gives you a real advantage over career changers when transitioning to cybersecurity.
How to Learn Linux Without Wasting Months
Skip the 500-page books. A practical Linux roadmap that gets IT pros productive in weeks, not months, with the commands and concepts that actually matter.
Help Desk to Sysadmin: Make the Jump
Stop resetting passwords forever. A practical roadmap for transitioning from help desk to system administrator with the skills that actually get you promoted.
LinkedIn for IT Pros: What Actually Works
Your IT resume is polished, but your LinkedIn is costing you interviews. The profile tactics recruiters actually notice, from headlines to skills to content.
IT Resume Without Experience: Get Hired
Build an IT resume that lands interviews even with zero experience. Learn what to include, what to skip, and how to position yourself for your first tech job.
How to Put Your Homelab on Your Resume
Turn homelab projects into resume gold. Learn exactly where to list your homelab, how to describe projects, and what hiring managers actually want to see.
7 Coding Interview Truths Nobody Tells You
The uncomfortable realities of coding interview prep that most guides skip. Learn what actually matters beyond LeetCode grinding and algorithm memorization.
Is Remote Work in Tech Dead? (Spoiler: No)
The real state of remote tech jobs in 2026 - who's hiring, what they pay, and how to actually land one when everyone else is applying too.
Bootcamp Graduate Salary: What You'll Actually Earn
Real bootcamp graduate salary data: $70K average, $100K+ in California. Honest breakdown by specialty, location, and experience with verified outcomes.
Bootcamp Job Placement: The Truth About Landing Your First Role
79% placement rate sounds great—until you're in the other 21%. Here's what actually happens after graduation and how to beat the odds.
Bootcamp vs Degree: Which Gets You Hired?
Coding bootcamp or CS degree? Analyze real ROI data, employer preferences, and career outcomes to make the right choice for your situation in 2026.
9 Technical Presentation Tips That Actually Work
Master technical presentations with proven strategies for sprint demos, architecture reviews, and conference talks. Practical tips for software engineers in 2026.
Cloud Engineer Myths: What Really Gets You Hired
Skip the generic advice. Here's what actually matters for landing a cloud engineering role in 2026, from certifications to the skills hiring managers prioritize.
How to Become an Ethical Hacker in 2026
Learn how to break into ethical hacking with practical steps, essential skills, certifications like CEH and OSCP, and salary expectations for 2026.
Can a Career Coach Boost Your Tech Career?
Discover how career coaching helps women in tech overcome barriers, negotiate higher salaries, and advance into leadership roles. Real strategies that work.
Is Azure Certification Worth It in 2026?
An honest analysis of Microsoft Azure certifications - costs, salaries, career impact, and whether they're right for your IT career path.
Data Analyst Career: $85K-$120K Path Guide
Data analyst roles pay $85K-$120K with SQL, Excel, Python. Skills assessment, certifications, and honest career path insights for 2026 job seekers.
5 SQL Developer Myths Costing You Jobs
The truth about SQL developer careers in 2026. Bust common myths, get real salary data, and discover what actually gets you hired in database roles.
7 Best Coding Bootcamps in 2026
Discover the top-rated coding bootcamps for 2026 with real outcomes data, costs, and honest reviews to help you choose the right program.
DevOps Engineer: Is the Hype Real?
Cut through the DevOps hype. Real salary data, honest skill requirements, and whether this hot career path is actually right for you in 2026.
Best Programming Languages 2026: TypeScript #1 on GitHub
TypeScript surpassed Python as #1 on GitHub. Compare top languages by job demand, salary ($80K-$175K), and AI compatibility for 2026.
Build a Home Lab That Actually Gets You Hired
Stop wasting money on expensive gear. Learn how to build a practical IT home lab that impresses hiring managers and accelerates your career in 2026.
Cybersecurity Jobs 2026: 4.8M Openings, 33% Growth
4.8 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally. 33% growth through 2033. Emerging AI security roles, salary trends, and how to break in.
Switch Careers to IT: Step-by-Step 2026 Roadmap
Switch to IT in 2026 with timelines, certifications, salary expectations, and transferable skills. Your complete career change roadmap.
AI Tools for IT Pros: $18K Salary Premium Guide
84% of developers use AI tools. Learn GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude strategies for IT careers. $18K avg salary premium for AI-skilled workers.
Coding Bootcamp Worth It? $12K-$20K ROI Analysis
80% job placement rates, $80K average starting salary. Full ROI analysis of coding bootcamps in 2026—costs, outcomes, and who should (and shouldn't) attend.
Stop Leaving Money on the Table: IT Salary Negotiation
Learn the salary negotiation mistakes costing IT pros thousands. Real scripts, data-backed strategies, and insider tactics that actually work in 2026.
IT Salary Negotiation: What Actually Works
Stop leaving money on the table. Learn proven salary negotiation tactics for IT professionals with real scripts, data-backed strategies, and common mistakes to avoid.
Is a Tech Career Right for You?
Discover if transitioning from a non-technical background to tech is your best move. Real success rates, timeline expectations, and honest advice for career changers.
Stop Grinding LeetCode Wrong: Smarter Practice
Learn effective coding interview practice strategies that actually work. Master patterns, avoid common mistakes, and land your dream developer job in 2026.
Developer Soft Skills: 85% of Career Success
85% of career advancement depends on soft skills. Communication, teamwork, and leadership guide for developers seeking promotions and higher pay.
The STAR Method: Why Most IT Pros Get It Wrong
Master the STAR interview method for IT and tech jobs. Learn the common mistakes that tank behavioral interviews and get real examples that actually work.
Top 10 Tech Skills 2026: What Employers Want
Skills gap costs $5.5T by 2026. AI, cloud, Python, and cybersecurity skills employers pay premium for. Data-backed guide to the most valuable IT skills.
First Programming Language 2026: Python vs JavaScript
Python or JavaScript first? Compare job demand, salaries, and learning curves. Data-driven guide to choosing your first programming language.
Which IT Cert? 91% of Employers Use Them to Hire
91% of employers use certs in hiring. Compare CompTIA, AWS, Cisco paths by career goals, cost, ROI, and salary data to choose your first certification.
Why IT? 11% Growth, 317K Jobs/Year, $106K Median
IT jobs grow 11% through 2034—3x faster than average. 317K openings yearly, $106K median pay. Why tech careers outperform every other industry.
IT Certifications: 32% Raise, 2.9x More Callbacks
32% get raises after IT certs, with 31% seeing 20%+ increases. 63% get promoted. Data from 24,000 IT pros on which certifications pay off.
Why Learn Python Programming in 2026
Discover why Python is the best programming language to learn in 2026. Explore career opportunities, salary potential, and practical applications for beginners.
Get Into Cybersecurity 2026: 3.5M Jobs Open
3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally. 33% growth through 2033. Entry-level paths, certifications, and strategies to break in.
IT Career Outlook 2026: 11% Growth, $43K-$250K Range
Complete 2026 IT outlook: 317K annual jobs, 11% growth rate, salary ranges $43K-$250K+. Trends, high-demand skills, and proven strategies for new graduates.
82% of IT Pros Near Burnout: Prevention Guide
82% of tech workers report near-burnout. Warning signs, prevention strategies, and recovery tactics from IT pros who escaped the 24/7 on-call trap.
IT Career Change Over 30: Sysadmin Success Stories
Real strategies from IT pros who pivoted after 30. Move from MSP to enterprise, generalist to specialist, with proven career transition playbooks.
Certs vs Experience: 22% Higher Salary Strategy
93% of IT pros hold certs, but experience often wins. Learn when certs are mandatory (DoD), which pay $150K+, and the hybrid approach earning 22% salary premiums.
IT Specializations 2026: $90K-$450K Career Paths
Cloud, cybersecurity, data science, or software? Compare IT specialization paths by salary ($90K-$450K), skills, and demand to choose your niche.
IT Burnout: 67% of Pros Experience It. Now What?
67% of IT pros experience burnout. Warning signs, recovery strategies, and how to maintain work-life balance in demanding tech careers.
Remote IT Jobs 2026: Work-From-Home Career Guide
Find remote IT jobs in 2026. Skills, salary ranges ($65K-$150K+), top job platforms, and interview strategies for work-from-home tech roles.
IT Salary Truth: Help Desk $17/hr vs $200K+ Paths
Honest salary analysis: Why entry help desk matches McDonald's pay ($17/hr), which roles earn $200K+, and proven strategies to maximize tech career earnings.
Linux Careers 2026: $130K+ DevOps & SRE Paths
Linux sysadmin jobs declining 4%, but DevOps and SRE roles pay $130K-$200K. Modern Linux career paths in containers, cloud, and platform engineering.
15 Reddit Sysadmin Tips That Changed IT Careers
Most upvoted IT career advice from r/sysadmin. 15 proven strategies from experienced admins for advancing your career and avoiding burnout.
From $22/Hour to $110K in 2 Years: Real A+ Certification Success Story
Discover how one IT professional went from $22/hour help desk to $110K Systems Engineer in 2 years with only an A+ certification. Real strategies and realistic expectations for IT career advancement.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Cost 2026: $100 Exam + $50-$300 Prep
Complete cost breakdown: $100 exam fee plus $50-$300 for training materials. Learn how to pass for under $150 with our proven budget-friendly path.
8 Best Beginner Cybersecurity Certs 2026 ($50K-$95K)
Start your security career: 8 entry-level certifications ranked by ROI and salary outcomes ($50K-$95K). From Security+ to CEH—which cert to choose first.
CISSP Requirements 2026: $129K+ Security Career
CISSP certification: 5-year experience rule, $749 exam cost, $129K+ avg salary. Complete requirements guide and study strategies for security pros.
15 Entry-Level IT Jobs (No Experience Required)
15 entry-level IT jobs hiring without experience. Complete 2026 guide with salaries ($35K-$55K), requirements, and step-by-step strategy to land your first tech role.
Entry-Level Programmer Salary: $80K-$150K Guide
Entry-level programmers earn $80K-$110K nationally, $150K+ in tech hubs. Complete 2026 salary guide by location, language, and negotiation tactics.
Learn Programming: 3-12 Month Timeline Guide
Most career changers become job-ready in 6-12 months. Complete 2026 timeline by path: bootcamps (3-6 mo), self-taught (6-12 mo), entry salaries $80K+.
Become a Software Developer: $81K Avg, 17% Growth
Software developers earn $81K avg with 17% job growth through 2033. Complete guide: essential skills, portfolio building, certifications, and job strategies.
Break Into Tech 2026: 317K Annual Job Openings
317,700 tech jobs opening annually through 2034. Entry-level paths, bootcamps, certifications, and proven strategies to land your first role.
Technical Interview Prep: 90-Day Success Plan
Master coding interviews and system design. 90-day prep plan with proven strategies, common questions, and study methods that land IT job offers.
IT Career for Beginners: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
Start your IT career in 2026 with realistic salary expectations, essential certifications, and proven strategies to land your first tech job.
IT Career Without Degree: 78% Skills-First Hiring
Break into IT without college: 78% of companies now use skills-first hiring. Entry-level jobs, certifications, bootcamps, and proven strategies for 2026 success.
7 IT Career Hard Truths Nobody Tells You
On-call burnout, salary trade-offs, constant learning fatigue. Honest realities of working in tech that job postings never mention.
30+ IT Hires Reveal: Soft Skills Beat Tech Skills
Hiring manager tracked 30+ IT hires: top performers weren't most certified. 3 traits predict 15-20% salary increases and faster promotions.
Military Cyber Training: Free Path to $125K+
Free military cybersecurity training + security clearance = $125K+ civilian jobs. Air Force Reserve and Guard paths for career changers.
Python Certification: $124K Career Change Path
Python certifications accelerate career change to tech. PCEP, PCAP, PCPP paths with $124K avg salary. Costs, timeline, and transition strategies.
Python Developer Salary 2026: $99K-$212K Guide
Python developers earn $99K-$212K in 2026 with 10% YoY growth. Complete salary breakdown by experience, location, and specialization to maximize earnings.
Remote Developer Salary 2026: $111K-$141K Guide
Remote developer salaries: $111K avg, engineers $141K, Python AI/ML $136K+. Complete 2026 rates by stack, experience level, and negotiation tips.
System Design Interview: Senior Engineer Guide
Master system design interviews for senior roles at top tech companies. Prep strategies, common questions, and resources to land FAANG offers.
9 Best CompTIA A+ Courses 2026 (Pass Rates 85-92%)
Ranked: Top 9 A+ training courses by actual student pass rates (85-92%). Compare prices ($49-$599), formats, and which course fits your learning style.
12 Best A+ Study Guides 2026 (Ranked by Pass Rate)
12 A+ study guides ranked by student pass rates. Compare top books by learning style and budget—from Mike Meyers to Professor Messer.
Breaking Into Software Development With No Experience: Complete Guide for Parents and Career Changers in 2026
Struggling to break into software development without experience? This comprehensive guide shows parents and career changers how to build experience, network effectively, and land their first developer job in 2026.
CompTIA A+ ROI 2026: $57K-$76K Salary, 4,900% Return
A+ certification delivers 4,900%+ ROI. Salary data ($57K-$76K avg), 43K annual job postings, and proven 5-year career progression paths.
CompTIA A+ Complete Guide 2026: $60K+ IT Career Path
Master CompTIA A+ certification in 2026. Complete guide with study plans, salary data, and proven success strategies. Start your $60K+ IT career today.
CompTIA A+ Cost Breakdown 2026: Hidden Fees + Smart Budget Tips
Complete CompTIA A+ certification cost analysis for 2026. Discover hidden fees, budget-friendly study strategies, and ROI calculations to maximize your investment.
CompTIA A+ Study Plan: 90-Day Method for 89% Pass Rate (2026)
Master CompTIA A+ with our proven 90-day study method. 89% pass rate with exam strategies, PBQ tips, and day-by-day plan. Join 2,847 successful students who achieved first-time certification success.
Security+ Career Path 2026: $55K-$135K Salary & Job Guide
Complete 2026 Security+ career guide: salary ranges ($55K-$135K), 18,900 annual job openings, A+ to Security+ transition, and cybersecurity career progression paths with DoD 8140 compliance.
AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud: Which Cert First?
AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud compared. Cert costs ($99-$200), salaries ($130K-$160K avg), and market demand to choose your first cloud certification.
10 AI Skills IT Pros Need (56% Salary Boost)
AI skills boost IT salaries by 56%. Master prompt engineering, ML basics, and AI ethics. Certification paths and practical strategies for 2026.
A+ vs Google IT 2026: Which Gets You Hired Faster?
CompTIA A+ ($56K-$88K) vs Google IT ($52K-$65K): Compare job placement rates, employer preferences, and ROI to choose the right certification path.
Bootcamp vs CS Degree: 14-Month vs 5-Year ROI
Bootcamps ($15K, job-ready in 3-6 months) vs CS degrees ($40-120K, 4 years). Compare 2026 ROI, job placement rates, and salary outcomes to choose wisely.
2026 IT Salary Survey: 1,072 Pros, $82K Average
1,072 IT pros surveyed: $82K average salary, 41.8% hybrid work, 72.5% using AI. Salary trends by role, experience, and location for 2026 career planning.
200+ IT Interview Questions With Expert Answers
200+ real IT interview questions for help desk to cloud roles. Expert answers, insider tips, and preparation strategies to land your next tech job.
Remote IT Jobs 2026: 77% DevOps, $108K Average
77% of DevOps jobs are remote, $108K average salary. Best remote IT positions, top companies hiring, and strategies to land work-from-home tech roles.
Cybersecurity Salary 2026: $65K-$450K+ by Role
Cybersecurity salaries from entry ($65K) to CISO ($450K+). 33% job growth, 500K+ openings. Salary by role, cert premiums, and negotiation strategies.
Cybersecurity Analyst Salary 2026: $83K-$130K Guide
Cybersecurity analysts earn $83K-$130K with 500,000 open positions nationwide. Complete 2026 compensation guide by experience, location, and certification.
IT Career Change at 30, 40, 50: 2026 Success Guide
Career change to IT at any age. Step-by-step guide with certification paths, salary expectations, and proven strategies to break into tech successfully.
JavaScript Developer Salary 2026: $79K-$167K Guide
JavaScript developer salaries: entry-level $79K, senior $167K+. Complete 2026 breakdown by experience, location, remote rates, and skill premiums.
15 Remote IT Jobs Paying $100K+ (2026 Guide)
15 remote IT jobs paying $100K-$220K+. Real salary data for cloud architects, SREs, DevOps plus skills and strategies to land work-from-anywhere positions.
Cybersecurity Career Change 2026: $75K+ in 12 Months
Switch to cybersecurity from any background. 12-month roadmap to $75K+ security roles with certifications, home lab setup, and proven job-landing strategies.
CompTIA A+ 1102 Study Guide: Complete Exam Objectives (2025)
Master the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 exam with our complete study guide. Covers all exam objectives, study tips, and practice resources for IT certification success.
12 IT Skills in Demand 2026: Bridge the Gap
Skills gap costs organizations millions. Master these 12 in-demand IT skills for 2026 with salary data, job projections, and learning paths.
Women in Tech 2026: Breaking Into the 35%
Women hold 35% of US tech jobs but only 8% of CTO roles. Proven strategies, salary negotiation tactics, and companies leading diversity initiatives.
Penetration Testing in 2023: A Beginners Guide
Learn the fundamentals of penetration testing, essential tools, methodologies, and how to get started in this exciting cybersecurity field.
How to get a job in IT as a complete n00b
A comprehensive guide for complete beginners to break into the IT industry, covering essential skills, certifications, and job search strategies.
2022 Open IT Salary Report
We've had the biggest response ever, yet again, with over 1,000 responses!
ITSG Anonymous Salary Survey 2021 Has Landed!
Participate in our anonymous IT salary survey and help bring transparency to tech compensation
I've Got a Linux, Now What?
If you're new to Linux, it can be overwhelming to sort through all of the info online. What should you do next? How do I even use Linux? Here's a few resources to get you started.
Candidate instantly rejected after entering building
A powerful lesson about treating everyone with respect - a candidate's dismissive behavior toward a 'receptionist' who was actually the hiring manager cost them the job instantly.
Welcome to This is an IT Support Group: Your Premier IT Career Resource
Welcome to This is an IT Support Group Blog - your go-to resource for IT career advice, technology insights, security tips, and professional development. Join our community of IT professionals sharing knowledge and supporting career growth.
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