Updated for 2017, job statistics, skills required and breakdowns of available positions in SharePoint, Office 365, Azure & Power BI.

1. Careers in SharePoint,
Office 365, Azure &
Power BI
Matthew J. Bailey
MCT, MCSE, MCSAJanuary 2015

2. • Please turn off all electronic devices or set them to vibrate.
• If you must take a phone call, please do so in the hall so as
not to disturb others.
Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors:
Thank you for being a part of the
8th Annual SharePoint Saturday
for the greater Houston area!

3. Thanks to all our Sponsors!

4. More Information…
• Speaker presentation slides should be available
from the SPSHOU website within a week or so
• The Houston SharePoint User Group will be
having it’s next meeting Wednesday May 18th.
Please join us at www.h-spug.org

5. Today’s Special
Topics on the menu today
• The presentation background
• A brief talk about the change in the job industry surrounding SharePoint
& Microsoft
• Blab about me, ask about you…
• Describe in general what are:
• SharePoint
• Office 365
• Azure
• Power BI
• Describe where and how they are used
• Review job statistics and current openings across the U.S.A.
• Review and demonstrate some of the skills needed for the positions

6. - A “SharePoint All-Rounder”
- An independent consultant and trainer for Noteworthy
Technology Training in the Washington D.C. area.
- My job tasks vary including Administration,
Development, Training, Analysis, UAT and Project
Management
- I am have worked with SharePoint for 10 years, Office 365
and Azure for about 5 years.
- If I don’t know an answer to one of your questions, I will
try to find it out or point you in the right direction!
Me, me, me…
Matthew J. Bailey
MCT, MCSE, MCSA
www.noteworthytt.com
www.matthewjbailey.com

7. You, you, you!
What do you want to be
when you grow up?
• Who is at the beginning of their career in either IT or SharePoint, Office
365 or Azure (either new to the IT industry completely, new or returning to
the job market, recently graduated or changing from a different career) ?
• Who has already started exploring or has a career in IT but are new to
SharePoint, Office 365 or Azure ?
• Who is already involved with SharePoint, Azure, Office 365 and looking to
enhance their skills or change job roles ? What have you done so far?
• Who does not fall into any of these categories ? Do tell…

8. Jobs are moving into merged roles, the specialist is starting to fade a bit in favor of
the polyglot.
SharePoint jobs are becoming hybrid or cloud-based (with the exception of some
agencies where security is concerned).
The number of open job postings has continued to decline, but experts are still in
high demand.
There are still over 2,200 SharePoint related jobs in the USA alone (at time of this
presentation).
2017 – SharePoint & Jobs are Changing

9. SharePoint

10. What is SharePoint?
“A web application platform
developed by Microsoft” - Wikipedia
• Swiss army knife of technology for content management, websites,
search, etc.
• A mixture of “OOTB (out of the box)” functionality with the option to
build upon this with and integrate with other systems
• Built upon the Microsoft .NET stack of technologies, although changing
to a more open source approach with JavaScript, CSS & HTML5
?

11. Common Uses of SharePoint
What can I do with SharePoint?
• Company intranets
• Document management
• Team collaboration portals
• External customer portals
• Workflow scenarios & document approval
• Search
• Project Management
• Public websites (although no longer a recommendation)

12. Companies Using SharePoint
Most Fortune 500 companies use
SharePoint in some form or
another
• Usually larger companies
• Insurance
• Financial
• Manufacturers
• Healthcare (some)
• Oil & Gas
• Government – (Usually requires clearance)
• Consulting agencies - Office 365 can be used by smaller companies, but
work is usually limited to smaller amounts vs. long term or permanent
job opportunities

13. Why Choose a Career Using SharePoint?
Umm… cause I like need a job
 You enjoy consistently learning new technologies and enjoy IT
 Job security & stability, a lot of openings and probably will be for at least 3-
5 years minimum
 Opportunities are usually with larger companies that have good benefits &
pay
 $$$ – because mortgage payments don’t pay themselves!


14. SharePoint Job Roles / Functions
Current typical SharePoint job
roles *
• Administrator / Engineer
• Developer
• Business Analyst
• Project Manager
• Power User
• Architect (Solution Architect or Infrastructure Architect)
• Other (Designer, Trainer, etc.)
* interpretive, find example job descriptions from job websites

15. SharePoint Job Roles by Percentage
Administrator / Engineer
Developer
Business Analyst
Project Manager
Architect (description varies)
Support / Help Desk (entry-level, not
dev or admin support)
Power User / SharePoint Knowledge
Other (trainer, design, random)
* Estimations based on job postings from web sites for the USA only

16. Job Descriptions Can Vary
The following are guidelines of job descriptions but
not definitive rules. Each company has unique needs
and different people involved in the process of
posting the job requirements so job listings can vary.

17. Before We Begin Our Demos &
Review of Detailed Job
Descriptions…

18. Patience is a Virtue
These job skills may seem overwhelming at
first but remember we all started learning it
somewhere.
StudyTime Help

19. SharePoint Power User
• The term has become a bit “vague” and means different things at
different companies
• Sometimes is a part of another job where they want you to manage the
SharePoint site and know what it can or can’t do
• Sometimes it is a way of saying “we don’t really need or want to pay for a
real developer, so just use the limited tools to create SharePoint sites”

20. • Lists
• Libraries
• Term store / managed metadata
• Search
• InfoPath
• SharePoint Designer
• User Profiles / My Sites
• Page Layouts
• Publishing
• Pages
• Security / Permission levels
• Web parts
Demo – SharePoint Power User / Developer “lite”

21. SharePoint Help Desk / Support
• As with many help desk positions, opportunities are shrinking due to
offshoring and IT budget cuts
• In most cases these jobs will only include some SharePoint job functions
and require supporting other technologies a business uses as well
• You will need a strong understanding of all end user functions as well as
some basic administration skills
• You most likely will be often forwarding questions to more experienced
SharePoint professionals

22. SharePoint Business Analyst
• Job growth marginal
• A niche job role to the SharePoint industry
• Job title can be quite varied and not always mean the same thing
• Usually will include job functions such as:
• Understanding what SharePoint can do as a technology
• Understand the difficulty of creating different types of solutions
• Meeting with end users and stakeholders to understand their needs
and how SharePoint can help them
• Being a liaison between developers, end users, administrators and
others to work with projects
• Create documentation such as test cases, functional documents,
technical documents, process flow charts, cost savings analysis, etc.

23. SharePoint Project Manager
• Be persistent and consistently stay on top of tasks
• Must be able to deal with many different types of people and personality
types
• Handle stressful situations, keep projects on time and in budget (can be
much harder than it sounds)
• Require skills such as Microsoft Project (or similar)
• Balance your dependency on other’s technical talent and your level of
technical skills (i.e., you will become a much better Project Manager if you
understand the technology and won’t always be reliant on others)

24. SharePoint Administrator / Engineer
• Monitoring, troubleshooting, patching & upgrades to servers
• Possess skills similar to a “detective” to troubleshoot issues
• Cloud & virtualization technologies
• Internet server (IIS) configuration and understanding
• Active Directory, oAuth and different types of authentication
• Networking experience such as TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls, security, SAN,
routers, backups
• Scripting / programming ability with languages such as PowerShell to
automate manual processes (i.e., server installations, creating users, etc.)
• Understands some architecture (i.e., how many servers are needed and
what processes should be running on each server)
• Knowledge of complimentary database technologies such as SQL and
Windows server
• Security!!!

25. • ULS logs
• PowerShell
• Active Directory
• Security – server
• Permissions - user
• SQL Server Management
• Install solutions
• Monitoring / reports
• Architecture / topology
• Server performance
• Random troubleshooting,
• Azure & Office 365 – (depends)
• Web Applications
• Service Applications
• Term store / metadata
• Search
• InfoPath
• User Profiles / My Sites
• Virtualization
• Storage (SAN, VNS, VNX )
• Claims & ADFS
• IIS
• Microsoft Core technologies
• Backups & restore
Demo – SharePoint Administrator / Engineer

26. SharePoint Developer
• The SharePoint development role is changing toward more of an open
source HTML 5/CSS concept, however most jobs will still require a good
understanding of .net & C# (with the exception of Office 365)
• Be very good at detailed, analytical, troubleshooting type of work
between different programming languages technologies that work with
SharePoint
• Understand the differences between built in functionality that can be
implemented simply and the need for custom coding
• The ability to test and ensure programs you have developed function
properly
• A varied skill set of the following programming languages &
environments:
• .NET & C#
• InfoPath, SharePoint Designer
• JavaScript (jQuery, Angular, React, Knockout, JavaScript frameworks)
• PowerShell

27. • SharePoint Designer
• Custom page layouts
• InfoPath
• Design with CSS/HTML 5
• Visual Studio
• C# - Web parts
• Creating custom solutions such as
event receivers, web parts, complex
workflows, data repositories, web
services, etc.
• Web Services
• SQL Server Management Studio
• Install solutions
• Azure & Office 365
• JavaScript – Client side
development & app model
• ULS logs
• PowerShell
• Microsoft Core technologies
• Service Applications
• Term store / metadata
• Search
• User Profiles / My Sites
• Custom features / apps
• Farm vs. sandboxed solutions
• 3rd party tools (Nintex, K2, etc.)
• REST
• oAuth
• At least one of Angular, React,
Knockout or another framework
Demo – SharePoint Developer

28. SharePoint Architect
• Traits / skills that would be good – detective, etc
• Capacity planning
• Topology
• Integration with other systems
• Define the relationship between the physical and logical architecture
• Determine when and how to use custom solutions
• Define the deployment process
• Subject Matter Expert
• The best way to create and build custom solutions
• Establish best practices & governance

29. SharePoint Architect - Infrastructure
• Best practices in setting up server farms
and deciding which processes should go
where
• Understanding performance and how
powerful your resources will need to be
as well as how many servers will be
needed
Demo – SharePoint Architect
SharePoint Architect Solution Developer
• Offering ideas to solve business
challenges
• Knowledge of best practices on how to
build specific types of solutions
• Mentoring or training others in
SharePoint (usually development)
• Expert level C#/JavaScript SharePoint &
.NET development

30. Office 365

31. What is Office 365?
SaaS – Software as a Service
"Office 365" refers to the online, cloud hosted versions of SharePoint, Exchange, OneDrive
for Business, Skype for Business and new not available on-premises technologies such as
Flow, Teams, Groups, Planner, Delve, Power BI and more.
Many Office 365 plans also include the desktop version of the latest Office applications,
which users can install across multiple computers and devices (Power BI, Excel, Word,
etc.).
The Office 365 plans that are online-only are a great choice for certain business needs, but
also less powerful and restrictive in some cases.
All Office 365 plans are paid for on a subscription basis, monthly or annually.
?

32. Some Uses of Office 365
What can I do with SharePoint?
• Email / Skype for Business (Lync)
• Company intranets
• Company extranets
• SharePoint Online
• Delve / Power BI / Teams / LinkedIn w/ Dynamics CRM / Project Online /
Power Apps / Flow
• Many more as new products are launched frequently

33. Office 365 Job Roles / Functions
Current typical Office 365 job
roles *
• Office 365 / Exchange Engineer
• Office 365 / Skype for Business (Lync) Engineer
• Office 365 / SharePoint Administrator
• Office 365 Specialist Sales / Presales
* interpretive, many are similar, find example job descriptions from job
websites

34. Office 365 Job Roles by Percentage
Exchange / Office 365
Lync / Office 365
Presales / Sales
Office 365 / SharePoint /
Generalist
* Estimations based on job postings from web sites in April 2017 for the USA

35. Companies Using Office 365
Mostly a subsection of the same
companies that are using
SharePoint or that use Exchange
• Usually larger companies
• Insurance
• Financial
• Manufacturers
• Healthcare (some)
• Government – (Usually requires clearance)
• Consulting agencies - Office 365 can be used by smaller companies, but
work is usually limited to smaller amounts vs. long term or permanent
job opportunities

36. Why Choose a Career in Office 365?
Umm… cause I like will need a
job with future based cloud
skill sets
 You enjoy consistently learning new technologies and enjoy IT
 Job security & stability, a lot of openings and probably will be for at least 3-
5 years minimum
 Opportunities are usually with larger companies that have good benefits &
pay
 $$$ – because mortgage payments don’t pay themselves!


37. Office 365 Architect / Engineer
• Exchange
• Active Directory
• ADFS
• Lync
• Sometimes SharePoint
• Presales

38. SharePoint Architect - Infrastructure
• Best practices in setting up server farms
and deciding which processes should go
where
• Understanding performance and how
powerful your resources will need to be
as well as how many servers will be
needed
• Migrating from on-premises or creating
hybrid environments
• AD and Azure AD experience
• Experience with MS Lync Voice a plus
• Must have experience with the current
releases of Microsoft Windows server,
Windows workstation products, and
experience with other Microsoft server-
based products
Must have experience with Office 365
deployment•
2-3 years experience in Exchange
Solid Understanding of mail flow, SMTP, TLS,
DNS, Certificates, and PowerShell, and
Outlook
Conceptual understanding of Lync,
SharePoint, Federation Services, Forefront
Online Protection for Exchange
MCSE and/or MCITP certification
Demo – Office 365 Engineer

39. Microsoft Azure

40. What is Azure?
IaaS & PaaS (Infrastructure as a
Service, Platform as a Service)
• A cloud computing platform and infrastructure, created by Microsoft, for
building, deploying and managing applications and services through a
global network of Microsoft-managed datacenters.
• It could be the hardware you run your software on
• It could be the platform you build software solutions on
• Works with and runs open-source software such as Linux, Docker,
Node.js and many more…
?

41. Common Uses of Azure
What can I do with Azure?
• A LOT
• Azure AD
• Mobile Services
• IaaS
• PaaS
• Search
• Run open-source such as Linux, Docker, non-open source such as SAP
and Oracle
• Disaster Recovery / Backup scenarios
• Much more and it changes weekly!!

42. Companies Using Azure
A mix of companies, some
corporate and some in start ups,
mid-size and unique industries.
• It is varying quite a bit right now
• Some government agencies using the “Microsoft Government Cloud” for
Azure that is being launched -- unsure of adoption rate as of this time
• Companies creating hybrid architectures
• Companies that have a lot of Microsoft based software (vs. companies
that don’t and are usually choosing AWS)

43. Azure Job Roles / Functions
Current typical Azure job
roles *
• Azure “Evangelist” / Sales / Presales
• Azure Cloud Architect / Engineer
• Azure DevOps - ?
• Azure / .Net Developer
* Over 90% of the current job postings were from Microsoft directly
* interpretive, many are similar, find example job descriptions from job
websites

44. Why Choose a Career using Azure?
Umm… cause I like need a job
and want to diversify into
broader skill sets
 You enjoy consistently learning new technologies and enjoy IT
 You like working with newer technologies and being on the cutting edge of
new technology
 You are fine with working with a blended skillset


45. .Net / Azure Developer Skills & Requirements:
Deep understanding of the Azure Component
Platform (Compute, Data Management, Messaging
and Integration, etc.)
Demonstrated development & implementation
experience in building scalable Cloud Applications
on Azure
Demonstrated experience & Implementation of
common design patterns for Cloud Based
Applications
Deep C# and .Net Development Experience in
distributed computing
Design and development experience with REST APIs
Design and development experience with API
Orchestration
.Net / Azure Developer Job Summary:
Technical leader with deep design and delivery
experience for a portfolio of products of multi-tier
SaaS products with web-based, plugin-based, and
mobile-based clients on the Microsoft C#/.NET/SQL
Server technology stack. Expert at designing and
implementing with 24/7 stability, performance,
scalability, monitoring and localization requirements
in mind. Is able to design, build, test complex
frameworks, diagnose and resolve complex issues.
Strong knowledge, development, and
implementation experience of SOA Principles in
relation to Services and Orchestration in Distributed
Systems for the Enterprise. Great verbal, written,
and presentation skills.
Windows Azure development skills
7+ Years of experience in .NET
Excellent communication skills and pre-sales abilities
ASP.NET MVC
Technical leadership and team leadership
Ability to architect complex technical solutions
including Cloud and Mobile
Azure / .Net Developer

46. Azure Jobs
(shown on Power BI)

47. Power BI
A path toward a career in data science (or just
impressing your boss with pretty pictures).

48. What is Power BI?
A tool that turns data and complex analytics into
visualizations that are easier to understand.

49. More about Power BI jobs
Usually a part of jobs with
skills such as:
SSIS, SSRS, Starting to replace charts in
SharePoint, dashboard development, better than
Power Query in Excel, part of a BI developer role

50. Sample Power BI Dashboard

51. Why Choose a Career using Power BI?
Umm… cause I like need a job
and I like working with visuals
and mathematics
 You enjoy working with a newer, growing technology
 You like working analytics and data
 You also enjoy bringing visuals to your data and analysis


52. Job Availability
Umm… cause I like need a job
and I like working with visuals
and mathematics
 Most jobs are for Power BI developers with narrow availability


53. Is a Career in SharePoint, Office 365,
Azure or Power BI is Right for Me?
• You are open to committing a lot of your time to your career
• You are open to always learning new technologies
• You like to be analytical, work hard, work with people (or pretend to at
least – lol)
• You can be highly detailed and learn computer skills

54. Creating a Career Plan
• Where are you at now?
• What is your end goal?
• What is your plan to get there?
• What will your plan include:
• College courses
• Online video training
• Tutor
• Books
• User groups
• In person training & conferences
• Test environment to experiment in *IMPORTANT!
• Create a realistic timelines
• How do you learn best? Immersion, reading, videos, etc. ?
• What is going to make you stand out? (certifications, examples of work)
• Search job sites such as Dice.com, LinkedIn, Indeed and others

55. 17%
17%
5%
9%
9%
33%
4%
6%
Video
User Groups
Tutor
Live Training - Conferences
College
Job - Real life
Other
Books
Sample Career Plan Components
* This is a sample training plan for myself, create your own based on how you learn best.

56. 
Final Thoughts…
No one became an expert
overnight
 It is ok to reassess things as you go
 Don’t get frustrated and quit
 If you are not able to figure something out, make a note of it, move on to
something else and when you find help ask questions
 Feel free to email or contact me later if you need help

57. Feel free to connect:
@matthewjbailey1
http://www.matthewjbailey.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjbailey1
sharepointmatthew@gmail.com
Download my slides and get started at:
http://www.matthewjbailey.com/speaking