You may feel like you’re at a disadvantage if you’re transitioning into tech during a stage of unemployment.
Think again!
It takes time and effort to develop new skills and build a network.
With patience and persistence, transitioning into tech when you’re unemployed can be a great way to start a new career path. Here are some steps you can take to make the transition.
Tech is a broad, booming industry that’s home to professionals with various skills and experiences.
Think about your skills and interests and how they align with different tech careers:
Once you have an idea of the tech career path you want to pursue, identify the skills you need to develop.
You can start by making a list of things you’re passionate about and enjoy doing. Then compare these interests to your previous work experience. What tasks or projects did you enjoy working on? What are some of your biggest accomplishments?
You can also ask for feedback from family and friends, to get their insight on what your strongest skills may be. They may mention skills that you haven’t considered yet.
Round up all the answers you get and use them to propel you forward in your job search.
It may help to look at job descriptions for the type of role you want and identify overlap between the skills you can bring to the role, and what they’re looking for.
Attending networking events for tech professionals, either in person or virtually, can be a great way to meet people in the industry and learn about job opportunities.
It’s also a great place to develop skills on-the-spot, like communication skills. Introducing yourself, making small talk, and pitching your ideas can help you become a more comfortable and confident speaker.
You can find events to attend on numerous platforms like Eventbrite, LinkedIn, or even a Google search!
Internships are great ways to get your foot in the door, gain experience, and learn new skills to apply to a full time role in tech. You can find opportunities through job boards or your network.
The tech industry changes day by day, or even minute by minute. That’s why it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industry.
You can follow tech blogs, attend webinars, and subscribe to industry newsletters to stay informed.
Creating a portfolio of projects can help you showcase your skills to potential employers. You can create a personal website or upload your work to platforms like LinkedIn, Behance, or GitHub.
Be strategic about the work you put in your portfolio. Quantity is not as important as quality. You want to select your best work and make it clear to potential employers that this work aligns with the skills and interests you want to take to your tech job.
You can personalize the feel of your portfolio by including information related to your personal story, values, or passion for your work. These personal touches can help differentiate you from others and make your portfolio more engaging.
There are lots of online courses that can help you develop the skills you need for a tech career.
Here are a few of the perks that come with learning online:
So many online courses exist, it can feel overwhelming to find the right one to help you build skills for a non-coding career.
At School16 you’ll learn about no code roles in tech from industry leaders on how to become job certified—in 16 weeks or your money back! In this two course program, you’ll get exposure to the non-coding roles that impact the tech industry, and then have the chance to keep learning about the role of your choice. You’ll even walk away with a project to add to your portfolio!
Learn more about this tech career acceleration program and apply here!
