Senior Systems Analyst Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Senior programmer and analyst salary in dubi? I am currently working as a Senior Systems Programmer/Analyst (Technical manager) for a major compnay in IRAN. I’m very interest in Dubai but would first like to know what kind of salaries are offered to IT Professionals/Architects/Analystes/Team leaders on both the high end and the low end. I also would like to know what kind of IT industry exists in Dubai. I'm 34 years old, I graduated from a University in the IRAN and am an experienced ASP.net 2.0 develeoper with strong background emphasis on Systems design and integration. Any info or feedback would be very appreciated. Thanks ahead of time…. .

Answer: I lived in Dubai for 5 years and in Iran (Kish & Tehran) for 1 year. The salaries in the IT industry in Dubai start from USD1500 pm for freshers. Experienced professionals can earn upto USD4000pm. Those knowing fluent arabic could score easily another $2000+ on top of that. In general I have found the salaries in Dubai to be much higher than that in Iran.

Question: what salary should i get in Bethesda, MD for a Senior System Analyst Position?

Answer: Unfortunately, if you don't know, then I've got to wonder just how qualified you are for the position. A systems analyst uses logic to identify and solve problems. You aren't doing that. Look up a cost of living calculator on line enter your salary for where you live today and then enter the target city of Bethesda MD, hit calculate button and it will tell you what you need to earn in Bethesda MD to finance the life you lead today. Add to that what ever percentage more that you think a Senior Systems Analyst should make over what you are earning now.

Question: what are advantages and disadvantages of appointing project managers from a rank of senior system analysts? please base this against appointing them from a pool of fulltime project managers.

Answer: I think this is favoritism because senior system analysts are less experienced in the field.

Question: Career Change: From Software QA Engineer to Systems Analyst? I am considering a career change. I am currently working as a Software QA Engineer with 10 years experience and now I am considering a career change and going for a Sr. Systems Analyst position. What are my chances to be hired at a senior level? Any advices on what preparations I should do in this change? Thanks for your inputs in advance. I would like to add that my current position is Sr. Software QA Engineer. I have some programming experience. I have at least 3 years of test automation experience. With that, could I quality for a Senior position? Thanks for your reply.

Answer: The short answer is not likely. One would expect a senior SA has experience with full development life cycle. Even though QA is an integral part of the life cycle, your experience lacks specification and development phases. For an SA, even more important than actually writing code is the ability to translate end-user requirements into pseudo code - where the data are coming and going and what the user interface might be like etc. If you really want to become a SA, I would suggest that you start with a junior level position at the same time pursuit appropriate professional certifications (i.e. MCSE). Best wishes.

Question: Which of these ultimately benefit from a systems development project? Which of these ultimately benefit from a systems development project? A. computer programmers B. senior-level manager C. systems analysts D. stakeholders

Answer: D The manager commissions the project The analyst does the analysis and designs the system The programmer implements the analyst's design If the design is satisfactory at devising the solution, then it is the stakeholders who receive the ultimate benefit in the long run.

Question: Can anyone help me put together a list of computer related positions? I'm just wondering what types of positions are out there to aspire to. I know about help Desk, System Analyst, Network Administrator, Senior Technologist, and Information Architect. If anyone with experience is out there, please let me know what these and other positions mean and what other ones are out there. Thank you for your help.

Answer: They can be as involved, complex, or simple as the company and setting. A medium-sized information technology (IT) shop, office, or department will have functional positions based on what they need to provide for the computer users. There will be an IT director or senior boss responsible for the various components. There will likely be a computer on every information worker's desk and those will likely be networked together, a place for a network administrator to see that everyone stays connected. With computers there are machines and connections to establish and maintain and the software that does the work on those machines. Your senior technologist is likely the guy in charge of the machinery, the actual computers, printers, servers, modems, and cabling. Your systems analyst is likely the person who makes sure that the computer programs that process the sales, track the inventory, and keep the books is working together correctly. The IT director is often, but not always, the one who planned the whole process in a new company, but anyway an information architect is the person who maps out who needs to know what and how to get it to them. This includes plans for growth in the company as well as planning for new technologies. The help desk is merely someone who has a basic knowledge of the whole system in order to answer questions or ask questions that will be useful for the systems analyst or senior technologist to figure out what is broke and what they need to do to fix it. I've done a bit of most of these, and one of the most fun moments was when a customer in a distant town insisted I drop what I was doing and fix her computer because it wouldn't start. I was due in a few minutes for a planning meeting with a small municipality over their accounting package. After listening to her, I asked her to first check that all the cables, particularly power cables were connected and plugged in. She was incensed! I reminded her of our hourly rate and how long it would take me to get there and suggested she check those again and call me back in a few minutes. She did and I didn't need to go, the computer was unplugged. Most problems are highly technical and need other things, like a signal meter on some cables as has happened recently to me. But many are simple and a moderately capable person who has the patience to listen can save the high-dollar guys a lot of wasted time.

Question: Questions about third interview. What to expect? I've been interviewing for this company for Senior Systems Analyst postion. I had first interview with Recruitment Manager. Then I wrote a some sort of exam which they said was evaluation for manager/individual contributor. Then I came in for third time for second interview with hiring manager who is Systems Development Manager. I was told that Systems Developemt Manager will be my supervisor if I get hired. Now I was asked to come in for third and final interview with Senior Manager in IT who the hiring manager reports to. I really want this job and I want to be as prepared as I can. But I really don't know what to expect from this third interview? What should I expect? Technical one? Please advise.

Answer: I agree with Cube, it's probably a formality to make the Manager feel he's been part of the process. Yet.................. I'm sure you know not to take anything for granted. Approach it as if it were your first interview. One last note. On a 2nd interview I had once, as I walked into the office, there was a book laying about 3' from a wall with other books. From instinct, I went over and put it back on the shelf. After the interview I was advised that out of 11 perspective employees, I was the only one who went out of my way to replace the book. The job was mine. Reason: Powers of observation when entering an unfamiliar area and the "brass" ( as he said ) for diverting from his outstretched hand to correct something that was "out of place". Remember: Its your FIRST interview. You can't go wrong.

Question: Should I refuse my boyfriends proposal to marry me? First off, we have been dating for about 2 years. I'm a paralegal at a multi million dollar corporation and he is a systems financial analyst at Pepsi Co. Anyway, he refused a promotion last week as a Senior Systems Financial Analyst. He could've made twice his regular salary. I'm so pissed at him for that. So last night he proposed to me and I told him I'll think about it. What should I do?

Answer: I'd do both of you a favor and don't marry him. If this little scene foreshadows what your marriage would be like, it would be a miserable one. You obviously have different values. And you've got a very unhealthy way of handling your anger--using your boyfriend's proposal to punish him for not making the decision you thought he should. Your marriage wouldn't last a year.

Question: Moving to Canada with reduced pay and downgrade of position? I need all your sincere advices. I am working as Assistant Development Manager in Malaysia. I am leading a small team. We are programmers. Annualy, I make Ringgit Malaysia 80K. Now, one of the Canada's company in NB offering me only CAD42K per annum, as system analyst (same role as programmer). Not even a senior title in front. So in shorts, I am downgrading my role and my pay if I am accepting this offer. Can any of you from Canada advice me?

Answer: Sorry but what is the question? If you are comming here and not making as much money then stay there!! I dont think its a good idea...but if you can move up then it would be an idea to consider for sure

Question: Dubai IT Job Market??? I am currently working as a Senior Systems Programmer/Analyst for a major fortune 200 financial services institution in the U.S. My father-in law works in Dubai so my wife, my 8 month old son and I are going over for Christmas to visit him. He is trying to get me set up with some interviews during our 2 week stay. I’m very interest in Dubai but would first like to know what kind of salaries are offered to IT Professionals/Architects on both the high end and the low end. I also would like to know what kind of IT industry exists in Dubai. I just want to make sure this is something that I would seriously consider if the offer is right. Anyhow, I'm 26 years old, I graduated from a University in the U.S. and am an experienced J2EE develeoper with strong background emphasis on Systems integration. Any info or feedback would be very appreciated. Thanks ahead of time…. .

Answer: My husband worked in Dubai 10 years ago, so the salaries might be different now. In any case, you will save ALOT on taxes, and I think you will probably not have to pay taxes at all. Also, everything is very cheap in Dubai; food, clothes, necessities, apartments, and cars/ It will be better if you get a job in Abu-Dhabi (about an hour drive from Dubai), because it is considered to be more upscale. Overall, moneywise you will be doing very good. But you have to understand that it might be not easy for your family to adjust there. The climate is very hot (read: over 100 degrees) year around. All the food is overprocessed and not tasty (this is a desert conditions, and all of the meet, fruits, vegetables are imported from far away places). They pray 5 times each day, and they do it everywhere : in stores, in restaurants, on the streets, everywhere. You will hear the praying "Allah Akbar!" everywhere through loud speakers 5 times each day. You will see guys with numbers of all-covered wives following them all over on the streets. Men have way more than 1 wife there. It will be very hard for your wife and for your child to lead a social life, because you only will be able to socialize with very few Americans that live there. Your wife will have to spend most of the time indoors and as a woman will not have as much freedom as she has here. We lived there for two years and even though the money was good, I simply could not take it anymore. It was no life. In terms of safety, I would consider UAE to be risky for Americans, especially in now days. And no matter how much money you can make, the safety of your family should always come first. If my advice would mean anything, I would not recommend to move to live in Dubai. Even if the money is good, it will not worth it in the long run.