Making a big career transition can be a stressful and grueling process, especially if you’re transitioning into something you may not have a lot of relevant experience for. Trying to get a job in the tech industry without any background is difficult, but people do it all the time, given the tech industry’s rapid growth and expansion. Here we’ll look at a few tips for transitioning your career into the tech industry so you can position yourself in the best way possible.
Understand Why You’re Transitioning
One question that you will almost certainly get in interviews is, “Why did you decide to transition into a new career path?” and you will definitely need to have an answer for it. Take some time to understand why it is you’re transitioning. This will not only help you in interviews, but it will keep you focused on your goal as well.
Get Experience However Possible
The tech industry is a difficult one to break into unless you can demonstrate that you know what you’re doing. You’ll need to show at least some experience to stand out. This could mean simply learning and programming or engineering on your own, or it could mean you take a bootcamp course to really fast track your skills. Showing initiative in your own learning goes a long way to show employers how serious you are about the transition.
Search for the Crossover Position
Something you can do without having to quit your current job is to seek out opportunities in your current company to flex your technology skills. A position that lets you utilize both your new tech skills and any previous skills you needed in your most recent job can be immensely helpful to bridge the gap and smooth out the transition between industries.
Make and Keep Connections
Rarely does someone find a job nowadays on merit alone. You will need to find the people that have the jobs you want and make some connections. Connecting with the right people shows that you have the wherewithal to put yourself out there. You’re already taking a risk by making the transition into a new field—it can only benefit you to really take the leap and fully commit yourself to the industry by finding the people already in it and asking for assistance.
These tips for transitioning into a career in technology should ease the burden of switching jobs and finding your place. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t see immediate results; any career change will be difficult. With perseverance and grit, you’ll have that dream job of yours sooner than you think.
