The IT world can sometimes appear uncertain, changeable and a tough one to build your career on. There are regular layoffs and frequent changes of policy such as enterprises suddenly shifting from internal IT resources to outsourcing and managed services.

How do you navigate these shifting tides and craft a resilient and lasting career in IT? Here is some advice from experts and IT veterans on now to map a path to IT career success:

The recent wave of tech layoff announcements demonstrates that even the most highly skilled technology professionals need to keep learning to stay current. This even applies to in-demand sectors such as cybersecurity. There are examples of companies where management suddenly decide to replace its in-house security team with a managed security service provider (MSSP). What appears to be a comfortably secure and long-term career can disappear in a heartbeat. Thus, the cultivation of new technology skills, programming languages and certifications should never stop.

“No one is indispensable,” said Jeff Pollard, an analyst at Forrester Research. “More skills give you more opportunities; more opportunities lead to better compensation.”

A large numbers of workers bring IT or cybersecurity skills. Competing purely on technical proficiency may be tough, particularly for younger applicants. The best long-term opportunities may lie in the upper echelons of IT management: People who can align technology to business outcomes or bridge the gap between cybersecurity threats and business understanding. Acquiring business and communication skills increases your employability in higher-paying executive and C-level positions.

“Expand your skillset and experience into adjacent areas that open up new opportunities,” said Greg Schulz, an analyst with StorageIO Group. “Learn the technical stuff, but also learn about the business side and the company you work for.”

Pollard recommends that CVs should be regularly updated. If you attempt to do it right after being laid off, the overall presentation may suffer due to the recent loss of employment. If it is already to send off, you are ahead of the game when potential employers request your resume.

It’s also be wise to distill it into an elevator pitch that highlights what you really do best. Skillsets differ. Some collaborate wonderfully, others can code anything. Closely define who you are and what you are good at.

“If you can summarize what you do best, it will go a long way to helping you land your next gig and make it an even better fit,” said Pollard.

Gain a cache of tech mentors who can steer you correctly and are there to support you with solid recommendations for promotions and new opportunities. You can find mentors within your current organization, via networking and during training opportunities.

Job postings often ask for the stars. All they need is a low-level IT staffer yet they write a job description that might only fit the combined talents of Steve Jobs, Linus Torvalds and Tim Berners-Lee – at pay rates that fresh college grads would sneer at. The likelihood is that you won’t quite match what is asked for in many job postings. Fit your resume to the request to show how close you are in many areas – even picking parallel skills to the ones requested.

“If you’re 75% there, go for it and sell your relevant experience,” said Pollard.

Studies by Cengage Group reveal that 66% of workers believe that access to employer-sponsored training plays a role in where they decide to take their talents.

“Businesses should be focused on growing and empowering top talent, including creating connections with local education institutions and other partners to further opportunities for current and prospective talent,” said Michael E. Hansen, CEO, Cengage Group.

Some companies will go so far as to pay you well and train you for the career you aspire to. Thus, pay attention to the employer, its culture, and its willingness to invest in you. Match your talents and aspirations with the right employer. Be warned, though, that many say they care about employee development. Research it well enough to see actual results and proof.

Data from Fasthosts highlights a big jump in online searches for tech jobs over the past year: a 156% increase for cloud engineering positions, 86% for data analyst jobs, 50% for software developers, 46% for front end developers and 26% for web developer positions. These numbers show the positions “everyone” is chasing. It may be better to define your target area more closely to find a desirable sector that is a little under the radar. That can vastly increase your chances of success.

“Keep in mind that it’s not just those who lost their jobs due to the layoffs who will be contributing to the higher searches, but also those who still remain at them,” said Michelle Stark, sales and marketing director of Fasthosts. “Many of the remaining employees may feel a sense of unease about the future of their positions.”

According to David Foote, chief analyst at Foote Partners, certifications make the most career difference in very specific areas. Three quarters of the highestpaying certifications lie in cybersecurity, he said. Others that can earn big rewards are scrum, enterprise architecture frameworks and some hyperscaler courses. Some of the hottest in terms of pay rates include:

• Google Certified Data Engineer
• Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager. (CISM)

Their average salary is around $150,000 per year.

Foote emphasized that the 23-year performance of noncertified tech skills is 33% higher than certified skills in terms of compensation.

“Employers want skills, not certificates and there typically are no certs for some of the top skills,” he said.

He added that no certs are needed to become a sought-after python or java programmer, or to work in areas such as AI, MLops, data engineering and data strategy.

Current high-momentum technologies include applied AI, quantum computing, advanced process automation, edge, trust architecture, software 2.0 and others. These broad areas comprise multiple technologies and skillsets.

“Choose a technology cluster you want to work in,” said Foote. “Edge for example, also encompasses the cloud, mobility, 5G and other areas.”

He believes that people can carve out a lasting career by becoming broadly capable across three or four areas of one of these technology clusters instead of super specializing in only one distinct discipline.

“Instead of being a jack of all trades, become a jack of some and a master of a few,” said Foote.

These tips require a little foresight on behalf of the job seeker. Short-term needs such as paying the rent may come into play. But the best approach is to look into the future and determine where you want to be in five or ten years and plan accordingly.

“Crafting a lasting career in IT means creating a vision of what you want to do long term, along with a strategy plan on how to accomplish that vision, as well as evolving it over time,” said Schulz.