How To Get A Job In Tech With Zero Experience
The tech industry in the U.S. is booming. In 2022, the tech industry accounted for 8.9 million jobs in America, and this number will likely continue to rise.
Jobs in the tech industry are attractive for a number of reasons, including high salaries, career progression opportunities, and increased flexibility.
Although many people believe that they need a bachelor’s degree in computer science and/or years of training to get a job in the tech industry, the truth is that many entry-level tech jobs are accessible to beginners.
An online coding bootcamp like Altcademy’s Full-Stack Web Development course is a great place to gain skills that tech companies are looking for, and it can be completed in as little as 25 weeks.
In this article, we explain how to get the tech career of your dreams—without going back to college. Read on for our top tips.
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5 Top Tips for Getting a Tech Job with No Experience
Follow these simple tips and you’ll soon be on your way to landing your dream tech job.
1. Choose a tech career path that’s best suited to you
There are hundreds of different types of tech jobs, so it’s a good idea to narrow it down by thinking carefully about the type of role you’d like. Although the stereotypical tech job is one that involves data or coding, in reality, the world of tech is much more diverse.
Some tech jobs focus on social media and marketing, for example, while others are concerned with project management or quality assurance.
To help you make your decision, think about your relevant experience and interests. For example, if you have a background in graphic design you might be interested in exploring a career in web design. Or if you love making sense of data and statistics, a career as a data analyst could be right up your alley.
2. Determine which skills you need to learn
Once you’ve decided what kind of tech job you’d like to apply for, it’s time to figure out which skills you need to acquire. One of the best ways to do this is by reading job descriptions for roles you’re interested in on online job boards.
Chances are that you’ll already have some of the required soft skills that hiring managers look for during the hiring process, such as communication skills or problem-solving skills.
Make a note of any technical skills that keep coming up that you don’t yet have. For example, if you’re looking at software development jobs, it’s likely that you’ll need to be familiar with HTML, CSS, and possibly other programming languages like Python or Ruby.
If digital marketing management is more your thing, you’ll need to be familiar with web analytics, SEO, and email marketing.
3. Learn the necessary skills
Next, it’s time to learn those skills! This step can seem daunting, but online courses like Altcademy’s Full-Stack Web Development course can provide the structure you need, while giving you the freedom to decide when and where you’d like to study.
Alternatively, you could decide to go it alone and study independently. However, it can be difficult to find the right resources and come up with an effective learning plan.
With Altcademy you’ll learn all the computer science fundamentals and programming skills you need to land your dream job, including HTML, CSS, website development, and more.
Depending on your schedule, you can choose to complete the course in 25 or 50 weeks—which is much quicker than going back to college! Once you graduate from the course, you’ll have all the tech skills and knowledge you need for a career in tech, including career guidance and one-on-one mentorship support.
4. Gain practical experience
Getting some hands-on experience while working on real-life projects is a surefire way to make your resume more attractive to tech companies. Ideally, you could take on some freelance projects or do an internship at a suitable company, but there are other options.
For example, if you want to become a web developer you could offer your services for free to a local business and give their website a fresh new look. You can then use the website in your portfolio.
Alternatively, you could work on a “concept project” to boost your portfolio. It’s a bit like coming up with a pitch for an imaginary brief, so you can get really creative with it. For example, you could outline your idea for a new app design to pitch to a tech company like Deliveroo.
Potential employers will be impressed with extracurricular activities like this, which demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in tech.
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5. Apply for tech jobs
Once you’ve put in all the groundwork, it’s time to begin the job search process. As well as looking on online job boards, check the websites of companies you’re interested in working for to see if they have a “Vacancies” page.
You could also try reaching out to smaller tech companies directly on LinkedIn, or via email. If you happen to get your timing right, you could be just what they’ve been looking for.
Bear in mind that although the tech job market is growing at a rapid rate, it may take you a while to land your first tech job. But if you’re persistent, your hard work will pay off and you’ll soon be on your way to achieving the tech job of your dreams!
Wrapping Up
Tech is an exciting industry to work in, and there are plenty of job opportunities that don’t require a college degree or years of experience. An online course like Altcademy’s Full-Stack Web Development programme is a great starting point for budding software engineers, web developers, and more.
Enroll with Altcademy today and take the first step toward your new career.