Industry Insight
Senior Technical Recruiter

5 Strategies to Help You Break Into Tech With No Experience

While tech jobs are not what they were at the start of 2020 when 25,300 jobs were added in the first two months, the good news is that businesses have now had time to evaluate their long-
term tech needs and the types of candidates they need to fill them.

Now more than ever, as companies look to tech departments to help them communicate with a decentralized workforce, answer new security needs, and increasingly automate their workload
systems, it’s proving to be a great time to break into the industry.

Here are 5 tips on helping you get into tech with no experience:

  1. Don’t be discouraged by your resume. There is no recipe for success in tech, especially right now. Your first rule of thumb is to not let yourself get bogged down by your inexperience. Instead, find ways to showcase your ambition through personal projects. With everyone from museums to legal firms going more virtual, try to find someone to let you handle work for them for free or through an internship opportunity.

  2. Put the word out to your network. As with anything, getting your first position in tech could be based on who you know – or someone you may meet. In addition to sharing your aspirations with your network, work on expanding your contacts in the tech industry. Find local meet-ups – even if they’re held virtually – and work on displaying your social skills. Find other developers in the same boat and share questions and collaborate on job strategies.

  3. Get your foot in the door. Remind yourself that you have to start somewhere, and that may not be where you envision yourself. Maybe you weren’t counting on a contract position after finishing college, but that’s OK; remaining adaptable and resilient will help you in the long run. And if it’s a contract with a reputable company that puts time on your resume, that’s a positive! Don’t be afraid to try new positions if they don’t fit your salary requirements or even your ideal duties. So many people in the tech field accept positions outside of their wheelhouses only to end up loving what they’re doing later. The important thing is to keep learning until you find your footing.

  4. Work on your elevator pitch. When you’re first starting your career, some simple interview practice can go a long way. In addition to reviewing etiquette like bringing your own portfolio or multiple copies of your resume, you should also prepare yourself to answer specific questions about why you’d make a great candidate. Rehearse an elevator pitch of why – even with limited or no experience in the field – you’d make a great addition to any tech team. Cite examples of your work and work ethic, if possible.
    Your resume may not yet sell your skills, but you can.

  5. Polish your profile. One of the first places any human resources representative will go is a candidate’s LinkedIn profile. Make sure yours has a professional photo and a list of all of your achievements, including anything in sports, extracurricular or volunteer activities. Be detailed! Mention any applicable coursework you’ve taken, projects that have provided hands-on experience, and any specific technologies you’ve used. It may also be helpful to familiarize yourself with how LinkedIn works and features in place to help recruiters know you’re open to new opportunities.

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