If you are very active on social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn, you’ll observe that a lot of folks are talking about transitioning into tech.
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You can say “it’s becoming rampant” and I totally agree with you.
In this article, we have not just highlighted some easy ways you can secure a Job in tech, but we have also discussed some important reasons why you should consider a career in it.
Here is why
Why Should You Transition Into Tech
- To Increase Your Earning Capcity or Potential:tech skills are in high demand. This automatically increase the pay.For instance, entry-level cybersecurity professionals may earn about $73,000 annually (Glassdoor, 2023).
As you gain more professional experience and your career progresses, your income also increases.
- Career Growth Opportunities: Tech roles, provide significant growth opportunities due to the demand for skilled workers in emerging sectors such as cloud computing, machine language, etc.
Making a career change can new opportunities with greater earning and growth potential.
- Broden and Expand Your Professional Skill Set: Transitioning into tech will enable you develop in-demand hard skills that builds upon your existing soft skills.
For instance, if you love to organize and have an eye for detail, you could become a proficient product manager or data scientist with additional tech skills training.
Perhaps you are creative and enjoy problem-solving, IT or software engineering career could be a good area to consider.
- Work-Life Balance: if you’re looking to escape the 9-5 entirely or simply want more job autonomy, a career change to tech could be the solution.
Thousands of tech experts, such as web developers and software engineers, work for companies remotely from the comfort of their homes or almost anywhere in the world. Sounds cool right?
After figuring out the why, the next question you may ask is “how do I transition into tech” especially if you do not have a background in it.
In this next section, we have shared some simple ways you can do so without having a tech back.
How To Transition Into Tech
In the last one year, I have seen lawyers, pharmacist, botanist, etc transition smoothly into the tech industry and even secure entry level roles.
The most important quality to posses in order to thrive in this industry is consistency and determination. Adaptability is also a prized skill in any tech role.
Before you transition, take a moment to understand your driving forces and aspirations. Are you seeking to innovate, explore emerging technologies, or contribute to a more digitally advanced world? Setting up clear goals will provide a roadmap for your actions and decisions.
Next, assess your tech skills and bridge the gap.Seek online coding courses, hackathons, or coding challenges. Enroll in cybersecurity courses, engage in simulated attack exercises, build a robust skill set to bridge the technical gaps and qualify you for entry-level roles.
Ensure you highlight tech-related skills and experiences from your prior career that can be seamlessly transferd to your new tech field.
Here is a perfect example; if you are transitioning from finance to software development, Your experience in managing complex financial data could give you an edge in fintech-related coding projects.
Networking is very crucial. It forms a building block for any career transitioning.Attending tech conferences, join coding forums, connecting with professionals in your desired tech niche can lead to exciting new opportunities
Don’t forget to tailor your CV/ Resume and cover letter to spotlight the tech skills and projects most pertinent to your new tech path. Showcase coding accomplishments, tech project contributions, and problem-solving achievements demonstrating your potential.
Lastly, seek mentorship. A lot of tech professionals are open to mentor newbies in the Industry. Take advantage of social media platforms like LinkedIn and X to connect with some of these amazing people. Don not stalk them, engage them creatively.
5 Easy Ways To Secure A Job In Tech
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Find the Right Company
Before submitting your application letter, do a proper research on the organization you want to work with. Find out if there vision, purpose and culture aligns with yours.
If it’s a start up company or really large companies with tons of employees and amazing perks, think about which one you’d prefer and then go from there when looking for jobs.
You can’t look for the job you want until you know what you want.
Decide if you want a traditional, in-office job, or a remote or flexible job.
Traditional jobs usually have a fixed working hours, in an office. While Remote jobs are mostly or entirely done from outside of a central office.
Some organizations are completely remote, while others have a mix of remote and hybrid employees.
However, some Remote jobs may have “office” hours, while others are flexible.
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Brush Up on Your Interview Skills
Prepare to answer questions related directly to your skills and experience in tech, as well as other skills you posses from other jobs that could be relevant. (organizational skills, time management, meeting deadlines, etc.).
Click here and here to access some helpful interview tips.
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Get Some Experience with Freelance Projects
Hiring managers want proof, so take advantage of freelancing to build a strong portfolio.You need something beyond certifications to display your skills and show that you actually have those skills
For instance, your best friend has an amazing band that could use a website or your uncle’s company website was built sometime pre-1998 and needs some serious updating. Or maybe you just feel like your favorite company’s website could totally be better.
In any case, use personal connections to find some freelance projects. You might need to work for free or at a reduced rate, but the point here is to prove yourself so that you can land your dream job.
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Take Networking Seriously
Networking, either online or in person, is a great way to find a new job.
Meeting people in tech can open all sorts of doors most especially when you’re just starting out and you don’t have any contacts in the tech industry.
Share your tech journey with someone every chance you get (online/onsite). This can help you build a strong network.
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Don’t Limit Your search
Your first tech role may not been in the company you love. You can start from there with the intention of moving to a different position when one becomes available.
This can be a great way to build up the experience you need to get your true dream job
