How To Get A Tech Job

Career in Technology

Jobs in the tech industry, especially during the current economic upswing, are booming. While big jobs at major tech companies like Google may seem out of reach for most, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting a job in the tech industry requires a different set of credentials than most jobs—and we’ll show you want you need to do to get the job you want.

Be an Authority

What kind of job are you angling for? Programming? Visual artist? Developer? Whatever your calling, become an authority on the subject. Start a blog and write daily or weekly on developments in the industry and record your own personal insights. Start a Twitter account and reach out to like-minded bloggers.

When you apply for your position, include these on your resume. Employers will see that you’re not only interested in the subject, but also passionate and dedicated. Social media counts for a lot in the world of HR and hiring managers. Take a look at our infographic to learn how your social media profiles can affect your chances of getting hired.

Show off Your Skills

While starting a Twitter can help you get noticed, creating your own website to show off your work can help you get the job. HR and hiring managers want to save time, and by including a link to relevant work in your resume, you can leap to the top of the pile.

Sites like Squarespace allow users to build custom and responsive websites, so your content will look great from both desktop and mobile. Load up programs you’ve created, show off skills you’ve mastered, and put your name and contact information right at the top, so no one has to go looking.

Don’t Have a Degree?

It’s not the end of the world. You can still get a great job in tech without a college degree, but you’ll start at an entry level position and work your way up. According to a recent article in Businessweek:

“People who graduate with a four-year degree related to cybersecurity, they’re not going into entry-level positions, they’re going straight to jobs requiring more experience,” says Marian Merritt, director of cyber education and online safety programs at Symantec. “Yet companies are desperate for the analysts who do the grunt work of cybersecurity, looking at network logs, administering systems settings, etc.”

Follow the aforementioned advice, and get those applications out. You might not have the education, but what hiring managers are really looking for is dedication and skills. Show off both of those, and you could find yourself in a lucrative position that has plenty of upward mobility in the industry.

Have a Project to Talk About

While starting a website with a smattering of projects can show off your versatility and dedication, focus your attention on one big project in particular. This will be what you put the majority of time into, and the project you talk about in your interview.

Whether you’re doing your initial interview over the phone, or sitting face-to-face with a hiring manager, develop a narrative that explains your intentions with your project, how you began, where it went, and what the results were. Storytelling is an essential part in the hiring process, and telling a comprehensive but succinct narrative will communicate your knowledge on the subject as well as a process-focused approach that will help you succeed.

Attend Industry Events

We know, networking can be a bit of a pain. Not all of us are adept at getting the face time and pitching ourselves in an effective manner without seeming like we’re trying too hard. If you’ve taken the time to develop a Twitter profile and professional website, print off business cards that feature your web address and Twitter handle, and distribute them to potential employers at events.

Search for tech industry events in your area, and attend as many as you can. This serves a dual purpose: not only will you be networking and getting your name out there, but you’ll also absorb a lot of information about current industry trends, and get a good idea about the skills and roles people are looking to fill.

Interested in learning about the education and skill requirements necessary for your desired position? Take a look at our Career Pages where you’ll discover all the information you need to know about your industry.

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