A Beginner’s Guide to Getting a Job in Tech

If you’re looking for a career in tech, there’s no better time to get started. There could be 149 million new technology jobs by 2025. Breakthroughs are happening every day and the opportunities are only just beginning. Over a decade ago, terms like cloud automation engineer, big data scientist, and robotic process automation lead, would have drawn blank stares from most people. Today, they are among the hottest tech jobs in a rapidly growing list. Such a wide array of options can be daunting. But fret not – we’re here to simplify things for you. If you’re fresh out of college or pivoting from another field, here are a few tips that can help while looking up the various technology job openings out there:

Explore your options

Identify your current skills and interests. Even if they appear to be unrelated to tech, they can certainly get you started in the field. The digital disruption has left no industry untouched. Every company is now a tech company to some degree, opening limitless possibilities. An artistic temperament could set you up for a career in web design. A passion for writing could take you to the lucrative field of content marketing. And if you enjoy tackling complex problems, you could consider a career in web development. Know your strengths and interests and you’re sure to find the right fit.

Upskill yourself

Once you’ve identified your area of interest, it’s time to delve deeper. Look for basic skills you need in your chosen field. Online courses and bootcamps are a great way to acquire these, whether you want to specialize in a particular field or learn from scratch. According to the 2021 Global Consumer Sentiment Survey by Emeritus, 13 per cent of respondents who had taken up online learning were looking to start a new career and 21 per cent were looking to expand their opportunities. There are several free and paid online courses tailored to industry requirements that allow you to learn from anywhere in your own time.

Build your experience

It always helps to begin a new career with some experience. An internship could give you a taste of a future job and an opportunity to add basic skills to your belt. If you’re lucky, it could even end in a job offer. Alternatively, you could consider freelancing. It can help you pick up new skills and enhance existing ones. The gig economy is thriving, and you can find several opportunities online that fit your interests. You may even reach out to people in your personal network. With enough experience, you can begin building your portfolio to show potential employers what you’re capable of.

Leverage your current skills

If you already have experience in a different industry, you could use your skills to cross over to a job in technology. Tech companies span different fields, be it education, real estate, fashion, healthcare, and tons more. Taking up a role in a familiar industry could make your transition to tech easier. And don’t underestimate the value of skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving. The right combination of industry know-how and soft skills could set you up for a thriving tech career.

Network

There’s nothing like networking to boost your chances of getting noticed by the right people. A 2022 Hubspot study found that a whopping 85 per cent of jobs are filled through networking. You could meet people both online and offline. On social media, connect with and follow individuals in the tech industry. Events related to technology are another promising way to meet professionals who could help you out. It also helps to let those in your circle who aren’t in tech know about your plans since they could connect you with someone who is. The opportunities in tech are rising – and so are the avenues to a new career. But getting your foot through the door is just the beginning. Technology changes fast. What’s new and cutting edge today could be obsolete tomorrow. So keep learning, and keep growing.