The CIO role is one of the most important roles in the organization. This position focuses on the bottom line. As a CIO, you must be familiar with all the different departments of the organization, and be comfortable communicating in technical terms. Additionally, you must have strong communication skills to interact with management and employees, as well as vendors and other vendors. Furthermore, you need to have an excellent understanding of the business and know how to use technology to improve the bottom line.
Most CIOs have an MBA or a bachelor's degree in computer science, and experience in project management, IT governance, and risk management. It is also essential to have strong communication and leadership skills, since interviewers are looking for someone who can communicate well to different audiences. You can also consider working on your personal brand and personal branding by establishing a LinkedIn profile and pursuing speaking opportunities. The ability to speak to a group is one of the most desirable skills for a CIO, and this will make you stand out to interviewers.
As the role of the CIO continues to evolve, the job of a CIO has become more diverse. Today's CIO is responsible for the overall success of a company, and he or she often reports to the CEO, the board of directors, or the commanding officer in a military organization. A CIO should be well-versed in business, and be able to relate to a company as a whole. He or she should be able to anticipate and navigate trends in technology.
