Tech jobs are hot nowadays, and everyone loves the changes sweeping through it. If you’re not already working in the industry, it’s normal for you to consider a career in the tech industry, especially if you are not satisfied with your current employment situation.
Regardless of why you may want to try a new career, there are certain things you must do to transition to and succeed in the new industry. This article provides a step-by-step approach to guide you on your way to a new, successful tech career. It will walk you through how to get a job in the tech industry.
1. Find a Tech Career That Interests You
When switching careers, the first thing to consider is understanding your reasons and motivations. Do you need a more fulfilling career? Or do you want to take on a new challenge?
Next, research other career options to find the one you are the most comfortable working with that aligns with your interests and desires. Some of the most popular ones nowadays include data science and software engineering.
Ideally, your research should cover the nature of the job, educational requirements, required skills, technicalities of the profession, and job prospects. Conducting thorough research prepares the way for you to easily move into new tech jobs by helping you to understand the career you are about to enter fully.
2. Identify Your Transferrable Skills
When researching alternative careers in the tech industry, you need to evaluate yourself to know if you have what it takes to succeed in the available tech jobs within your interest. Evaluating yourself entails understanding your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, otherwise known as SWOT analysis, which is helpful for your personal development. It is important to perform this analysis, as it helps you understand yourself and determine the job that best fits your unique abilities.
Moreover, you can applyย transferrable skillsย you have acquired from your previous occupation to your new career in tech. For instance, if you are switching from a job in management science to data science or analytics, your ability to organize data, pay attention to detail, and your interpersonal skills will serve you well. Therefore, you must identify the soft and technical skills you already possess, as they lay the foundation for developing other skills.
3. Get Educated on What Your New Career Involves
Now that you have decided which tech career to pursue, you need to get the required education and technical skills before being given a chance. You can obtain a university degree for specialized, formal education or take online courses and certifications on sites like Coursera and Udemy, among others.
Alternatively, attend tech training workshops to learn the ropes of your chosen profession. Technology has made it easy for you to learn about your desired tech career from the comfort of your home.
4. Develop Other Vital Technical and Soft Skills
Tech jobs typically require extensive knowledge of computer programming, cloud computing, DevOps, and time and project management skills, depending on your chosen field. Also, soft skills like analytical and critical thinking, data management, and attention to detail are must-have skills.
Furthermore, you should be conversant with using office apps, like Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, video conferencing apps like Zoom and Skype, and online collaborative software, like Asana, for project management. These skills are vital across most industries today, and a tech career requires expertise in more than a few areas.
5. Network With Tech Professionals
Networking also helps you find mentors and experts who can help you make the most out of your tech journey. Additionally,ย joining mastermind groups will benefit youย as you learn from experts in your field. These benefits include personal coaching, idea sharing, and positive habit building.
You should also leverage social media platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with tech professionals and maintain your online professional network with a button click. A 2016ย LinkedInย survey revealed that 85% of people seeking jobs get one through networking, so you may be lucky enough to connect with someone who can offer you a job or introduce you to hiring managers.
6. Align Your Resume to a Specific Role in the Tech Industry
You must craft a resume matching your preferred tech job before landing a role in the hyper-competitive tech industry. Your new resume should contain the basics, including your education, experience, relevant technical/IT and soft skills, and other tech-related certifications.
You can also boost your resume by taking on personal tech projects and developing new skills, including someย top tech skills you must have on your resume. Spruce up the document, and make it visually appealing and straight to the point. This helps recruiters find the information needed to decide whether you’re a good fit for the role.
7. Gain Experience in Your New Role
To complete your transition to a career in tech, you need to get hands-on experience in the tech industry. The question is: how do youย get the experience you need to land your first tech job?
As a newcomer, you can begin with internship positions in technological firms to gain exposure. Reach out to tech organizations that offer you the opportunity to apply your knowledge while learning on the job. Ensure to learn from your positions and document them, as these experiences will pave the path for more practical experiences in full-time positions.
Switch to a Career in Tech Today
Changing careers can be overwhelming if you do not have a guide to help you take the right steps in the right direction. Doing your homework is incredibly important when choosing a new career, and working to build yourself in the new position will make the transition easier.
Research tech career options, identify the required knowledge and skills, get the required education and training, and develop the needed technical skills. Also, draft a good resume that can get you your desired job. Taking the steps highlighted in this article will help you get your desired tech job and build a great career in the tech industry.
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References & Credit: Makeuseof
