New grads, and those who might be working on a career change, tech is still one of the fastest growing occupational industries. Although there have been recent cutbacks and layoffs within the big tech companies, many mid-level and small tech companies continue to grow. Additionally, many professionals from non-tech backgrounds have found work in the tech industry. You no longer must work at a tech company to work in tech; with a tech degree, there are all kinds of jobs in small and mid-sized companies across industries that need help.
Here we offer some strategies to help land these positions, like how to network and where to search.
How to Network to Work in Tech
Networking is a valuable strategy that is often overlooked. According to Harvard Business Review, networking can lead to more professional opportunities, broaden knowledge, improve capacity to innovate, and increase status and authority.
LinkedIn is an excellent tool for easily networking with other professionals in your field, even when you are just entering your career. An effective way to use LinkedIn for networking and job-hunting purposes is to make sure your profile is complete with the “open to work” section tagged on. Increasing the number of connections on LinkedIn is also important. Achieve this by adding people you know such as friends, relatives, parent’s friends, etc.
Another good way to network to work in tech is to search for work opportunities with the help of a staffing agency. Consulting and contingent work can help put you in contact with many professionals who work in your field of interest. The exposure in a position through a staffing agency can also cause you to think about your own resume, and how it can be altered to target the job you want by basing it off what the employer wants. Additionally, expert recruiters at staffing agencies can help you gain insight on how to stand out in interviews and build confidence.
Where to Search to Work in Tech
According to Forbes, in addition to online searches and seeking the help of recruiters, the best strategy when searching for jobs in tech is to broaden your search beyond tech companies. For example, many tech opportunities exist in financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing, etc. Research available jobs through employers, check the local staffing firm job portals and use your network to make connections.
Location, especially with the rise in remote work, is prompting tech grads and those aspiring to work in tech to focus their search in smaller, mid-size cities such as Raleigh and Trenton, NJ instead of the larger coastal cities. Younger workers are looking for a lower cost of living and a wider range of industries to apply their skills. The move towards smaller cities and smaller tech companies stems from the tech giants who have slowed down hiring or made massive labor cuts.
No tech degree? No problem.
In addition to less stressful commutes and a more relaxed lifestyle that smaller cities offer, many of the mid-size tech companies that reside in these cities provide a variety of opportunities to work in tech that don’t require a tech degree. The availability of flexible learning options and training for coding and other tech skills can help professionals from various backgrounds have a chance to work in tech. Because of this, many smaller tech companies can achieve better diversity and inclusivity goals, fostering a positive work environment.
Programs like Per Scholas and TripleTen Bootcamp are a great example of how individuals from different professions without a four-year tech degree were able to attain training and certifications for new skills that led them to work in tech.
There Are Many Paths to Work in Tech
Data and engineering jobs in the tech industry are abundant at large. While Big Tech companies experienced recent struggles and are now turning the corner, this shift also allowed for other companies with tech roles to become more competitive in acquiring tech talent. Many young grads are looking towards smaller tech companies in smaller cities because of the variety and flexibility they offer. Additionally, a skills-based hiring approach to work in tech thanks to the many educational programs made to help build your tech skills is gaining steam.
If you are looking to work in tech, rather you are a recent grad or looking to switch into the tech industry, focus on growing your network and broadening your job search to tech jobs in non-tech industries and smaller tech companies in smaller cities to give yourself the best chance. Reach out to an experienced tech recruiter to help open doors and make connections as well.
