words Al Woods
Many young people dream of careers in information technology. However, you might think this is impossible without a specialized education from a renowned institution. Ultimately, this is not the case. For example, today, you can learn to understand technology even if you did not study at a technological university and do not have a technical education.
Statista states that the global industry of IT projects a value of 5 trillion U.S. dollars, with the North American market taking a third of the total share in 2021. This industry faces a vast labor shortage; it offers excellent pay, outstanding benefits, and many job opportunities. If you don’t have experience yet but want to join this cutting-edge industry, here are some tips to get you started.
1. Find the IT industry that best suits your experience or hobby
This step is essential simply because it will make it easier for you to work at a technology company. You will bring your experience and contribution to the new profession with the knowledge you already have.
You know the market and what excites it. It can give you an edge in the resume application process, from cover letters to job interviews.
Make a list of all industries, areas, hobbies in which you have spent time, especially those you enjoy. Use your experience to get you back on your feet, even if you’re starting small, such as creating freelance websites for people in the industry or hobby you’re trying to specialize in.
2. Obtain multiple certifications
Obtaining the appropriate certification is the fastest way to penetrate information technology. You don’t have to spend 4-5 years to get a technical degree and invest a lot of money in your education.
When you have a certificate in the IT industry, your employer takes you seriously. He understands that you have the necessary skills for work, and to select you for a vacancy, you will only have to check your practical experience and soft skills.
Having the proper certifications will put you higher on the stack than candidates with limited knowledge and no credentials for some roles. Best of all, certifications can help open up more entry-level opportunities than just doing the first IT job you come across.
3. Expand your soft skills
Forbes writes that as more and more job activities become automated, soft skills, which machines cannot yet replicate, have become more critical. Soft skills are more dependent on personality traits, which are more inherent in each person. Whenever possible, emphasize them in interviews and applications.
4. Build your LinkedIn profile with new skills
94% of recruiters find specialists through Linkedin. So it is essential to create a relevant resume on this social network and back it up with certificates, experiences, and an impactful story about yourself.
It may help to look at resume examples or hire a resume writer to impress the recruiters, allowing you to position yourself as a professional and sought-after employee.
5. Take an internship to gain experience
Experience is what helps you find a job faster. Most employers prefer to hire someone who already has experience in a similar position.
One way to get high-tech jobs is to get an internship. It may even be unpaid at first – but the experience will be much more valuable in the future.
6. Prepare for the interview
It is an essential step for which you should prepare separately. You should be prepared for several stages of the interview: these will be recruiters, the head of the department, and members of your future team. You need to demonstrate that you are a team player with relevant skills and aspirations at every step. Ask someone in the IT field to do some mock interviews for you to practice.
7. Create your project
Learning new things is great, but the best way to showcase your new technical prowess is actually to do it. You can practice writing when or with other IT skills and attach this project to your resume. Thus, you will build a portfolio with real examples of what you have done and can do.
8. Look at entry-level positions
Before you start looking for the specific job you’re dreaming of, make sure you understand the many technology majors and research your options to see what is interesting. You may not get a dream job right away, but if you find yourself in a position near the one that interests you, this is already a step towards success.
You should especially pay attention to vacancies with high demand. From this position, over time, you will be able to move to the vacancy that interests you. Or maybe you will be carried away by a new field of activity in this vacancy.
9. Prepare to study all the time
The world of technology is a mobile living organism. New technologies appear almost every day. From cybersecurity and cloud services to artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is something new every day. A good IT professional should always stay up to date with the latest developments and latest discoveries. Keep your finger on the pulse of the tech news, participate in thematic conferences and use networking to share knowledge.
10. Send your resume to vacancies
Do not be afraid to send resumes to vacancies that seem too unattainable to you. The main thing is to be ready for the interview. Give the recruiter a chance to examine your portfolio and call you in for an interview.
Summary
Tech companies are overgrowing. The IT world requires more and more hands and is ready to consider those just starting their journey in this area. Today you are just learning how to get into an IT company and make your dream come true, and tomorrow you can become a part of the website design and development services team.
Make your dream come true. The world of technology has never been as accessible and open as it is now. All you need to do is decide and take the first step.
Author’s bio: Anastasiia Lastovetska is a technology writer at MLSDev, a software development company that builds web & mobile app solutions from scratch. She researches the area of technology to create great content about app development, UX/UI design, tech & business consulting.
