If you want to change your career and work in IT, it is possible even if you have no experience so far. Here are the tips on how to do that.
IT is a rapidly growing industry that experiences a lack of talent. There are many positions to choose from, even if you do not have first-hand experience yet. If you want to change your career path, several things will make it easier.
You’ll need some learning and time to begin as a software developer, but the prospects are worth the effort. Together with Jooble experts, we’ve collected the best advice on how to do that.
Top Tips For Starting A Career In IT Without Experience
Access Available Opportunities
When you are entering a new industry, it is important to understand that aiming for an entry-level job is reasonable. Consider beginners’ available positions. You can grow professionally from there.
Also, look into many careers open in IT and evaluate which is more interesting for you and aligns with your existing skills. Some of the options are:
● Web developer;
● Computer programmers;
● Cyber security specialist;
● System analyst;
● Software engineer;
● QA/tester, etc.
Some even start with administrative jobs in IT to go up from there.
Consider Formal Education
A college degree is not always necessary for a position in IT. It is a must in some cases, and it can be a huge benefit in others.
If possible, consider gaining an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in IT or Computer Science. You can go for full-time education, a part-time program, or remote/distance learning.
Self-Paced Learning
If formal education is not an option, there are many other ways to learn. Namely, one can go for a multitude of online courses, programs, and tutorials.
A lot of information is available for free. For example, the EdX platform offers courses from top universities in the world. One needs to pay only to acquire official certification after completion.
Get Certified
Another way to showcase your skills without a college diploma is to get industry-specific certifications. There are many of them developing in the area of your focus, like web development or cyber security.
Some of them are:
● Project management certifications;
● Certified data professional;
● Certified information system security professional;
● CompTIA, etc.
There are also product-specific certifications. For example, issues by Amazon, Google, or Microsoft for professionals working with their cloud solutions.
Get Experience
The theory is great, but nothing beats practice. The classic dilemma of entering a new industry is how to get experience when you cannot get a job without experience. There are several things you can do to overcome it.
First of all, work on personal projects. Create a computer program, a website, or a prototype that can serve as a portfolio.
Secondly, volunteer your services to anyone in need. Those can be acquaintances, relatives, small businesses, or people online. Every successful project can boost your resume significantly.
Thirdly, start working on small gigs as a freelancer. There are plenty of projects to tackle online. Start small and build your confidence up to bigger ones.
And the fourth option is to go for apprenticeships or internships. Those are amazing ways to learn and become a better professional. Also, an internship can result in an offer of full-time employment.
Tailor Your Resume
If you have a college diploma in another major, it is also a valuable asset. All your previous work experiences also come in handy.
You just need to formulate how they correspond to the position you apply for. For example, work in customer service can be a testament to communication and organizational skills. Hard skills are great, but soft ones are as important. They can be the point that will make you stand out from the competition.
In Summary
Entering a new industry is stressful and requires decent effort. But if it is something you want to work for, there is nothing to stop you. Evaluate the opportunities, learn new information, put skills into practice, and aim right.
