Are you a graduate looking for an entry-level job? There are lots of applicants vying for the same spot as you, but what do you really need to do better to get an audience?
Some applicants come with better qualifications and experiences than you. Even if you don’t have enough, there are things you can do for a better chance than most applicants.
In this post, we will provide the best pathways to get your foot in the door and start your career in tech.
10 Tips to Break into Tech Roles Without Experience
So you have skills, but lack experience. You may be young, or perhaps simply new to the tech world. There are various reasons that might prevent you from having that perfect candidate profile, whether it is being able to point out specific accomplishments on your resume or being able to provide a reference for every single assignment you have ever completed. The good news is that there are many opportunities for you to get into tech even if you have no experience.
1. Learn on the job
Creating something unique can be a rare and difficult talent, but when it comes to technology you don’t need to do all of this by yourself. For example, if you’re wondering how to create an Android application, you can always rely on the MIT App Inventor for help. This allows you to focus on other aspects of development while this tool handles the coding part. Similarly, it’s possible to find websites that offer tips and tricks or online courses that may be helpful in your quest.
2. Consider free opportunities
Although it doesn’t always seem like it, there are many options out there that require little to no financial contribution. Organizations such as Code Avengers and Codecademy provide free coding courses. For those who want to start their business enterprise, there’s the free Startup Institute or MIT OpenCourseWare which offers access to complete video lectures and course materials from selected MIT undergraduate and graduate subjects.
3. Get a mentor
Is there someone in your personal or professional life who is involved with technology? Or perhaps you know somebody who has recently changed career paths in the tech industry. If so, then this person may be willing to serve as a technical guide and teach you things that may not be covered in your training course. It’s even better if such a person already has years of experience in the IT industry and can give relevant examples from their own work experience.
4. Utilise online resources
There are many websites on the Internet where you can find step-by-step guides to help outline tasks or complete a specific assignment. Code Avengers offers simple yet effective tutorials while Stack Overflow has a question and answer format that makes it easy to get help from experts. GitHub provides a platform for sharing code projects while W3Schools offers tutorials for almost every programming language out there, including Python, JavaScript, and jQuery.
5. Get involved in local meetups
One way to find a mentor is through organizations such as The Iron Yard which holds meetups around the country where you can talk with other developers and listen to talks by industry experts. This allows you to make professional contacts who could one day become your future business partners or your employer. In addition, these groups often offer scholarships as well as discounted training courses that can provide you with access at a lower cost.
6. Join hackathons
There are many ways to get involved with the tech community, but one of them is through hackathons. These events allow you to meet people who have similar interests and invite them to work on a project together over a set period of time at a single location. Although it may be difficult for newcomers, this allows you to create something under pressure while getting feedback from experienced developers about your work. At the same time, it offers an opportunity to potentially make some money if you can show off what you’ve done in front of potential investors or employers looking for new talent.
7. Get certified
One advantage that seasoned professionals often enjoy is having certifications that prove their expertise in specific fields or technologies. For instance, Google Developers, LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Certifications are some of the options that offer exams covering a wide range of topics. Although these courses can be pricey, they may help you in the future when looking for jobs and in some cases, allow you to waive certain fees in training courses.
8. Build a Project
Although you may not have a large budget to invest, it’s still possible to put together a personal project that demonstrates your skills and creativity. This can show others what you’re capable of while allowing you to develop new skills which in turn become useful references when applying for jobs or projects. Building a website from scratch or creating an app from an idea are some examples that allow you to showcase your talent without the need of hiring out certain aspects.
9. Try Freelancing
Doing work on your own is another way to build up experience and get noticed by potential employers. For instance, many websites such as Upwork offer freelancing opportunities where you can find clients looking for specific services at prices they set themselves. Although it may take some time before you find the first client, it offers an opportunity to experiment with new techniques and various technologies while earning money.
10. Get training through online courses
Although community help is very helpful when learning to code, there are other options for gaining knowledge that are far more convenient. For instance, Edureka offers a wide range of courses ranging from beginner-level lessons to advanced topics in coding languages such as SQL, Rails, and JavaScript.
The site even allows you to learn by creating your own project which can help you develop new skills while giving you the chance to make something unique. Another option is Coursera which has hundreds of course lectures complete with video tutorials along with projects where users can download the source files used during the course.
The site also offers certifications if you complete the courses and allow users to comment or ask questions in order to help others learn more efficiently.
Tips To Apply For Entry Level Jobs Without Experience
Without any prior experience, it is feasible to get entry-level tech jobs. With a little innovation, you may simply get entry-level tech employment.
Clearly showcase your Transferable Skills On Resume
When you’re looking for your first job, it can be difficult to know how to showcase your skills on your resume. After all, you may not have a lot of experience in the workforce yet. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have any skills at all!
There are a few things you can do to showcase your transferable skills on your resume. First, make a list of the skills that you do have. These could include things like teamwork skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, etc. Next, figure out how you can demonstrate these skills in past experiences or activities. Did you work on a team project in school? Did you volunteer or intern somewhere?
Think about ways that you can show how you’ve demonstrated your transferable skills in prior experiences. This will help future employers see how you can apply those same skills to the workplace environment.
Don’t be afraid to mention volunteer or internship experience. Any extra work that you do outside of school is worth adding to your resume, even if it’s not directly related to the job you want. If anything, it shows prospective employers that hard work and dedication are important to you. You may end up with a lot more offers because of it!
Are You A Genuinely Good Person?
A key element that many entry-level positions look for is someone who’s genuine and kind. Why? Because these companies want employees who are happy and care about other people (and they don’t want to deal with toxic individuals).
If you’re looking for an entry-level tech job, pay attention to how you interact with others. Make sure that you’re kind, caring, and driven by helping those around you. Look for opportunities where you can help people or go beyond what is expected of you. You’ll show employers that not only do your skills make a good fit for the role but they also know that they’d be happy to have someone like you on their team!
Learn As Much As Possible About The Company
Along with demonstrating your transferable skills, another way to stand out as an entry-level candidate is to learn as much as possible about the company before applying. A lot of hiring managers look at this as a sign that the candidate truly cares about where they work, and it gives you an edge over candidates who simply send out resumes to every open job they find.
Do your research. Find out what the company is all about, what their values are, why they do what they do, and how you can fit in with this bigger picture. You’ll show hiring managers that not only are you a great fit for the role but you also like working at their organization!
Target Your Resume To The Role That You’re Applying For
Many times, entry-level candidates tend to include everything on their resume because they don’t know which skills or experiences directly apply to the job that they’re applying for. This becomes problematic because employers end up seeing too many things and not enough substance.
What you need to do is target your resume! This means focusing on whatever skills and experiences directly match the job description. If the role doesn’t list anything about engineering, it’s best to leave that off of your resume since it won’t help you get a foot in the door. By doing this, you’ll show employers that you’re focused on what they want from an entry-level candidate which will increase your chances!
Use relevant terms related to the Job description
The keywords or terms in your resume should reflect the specific requirements of each job. Showcasing relevant experience with this type of phrase will make you stand out from other candidates and show that it is a perfect fit for what they are looking to hire someone who has not only done these tasks before but knows how best to approach them moving forward!
For example, the perfect job description for a help desk analyst would be something along those lines “ record and track data in such as way that it can later provide insight into problems with customer service.” Candidates should think back on many times they had to do this task themselves before continuing forward.
A Cover Letter is always important
For certain jobs, a cover letter may not be necessary or even desired. In general, though, a well-written and tailored cover letter can help you stand out as a qualified candidate.
Your cover letter should highlight your skills and experiences that are relevant to the position, and it should be tailored to each job you apply for. Be sure to proofread your letter carefully, and make sure it’s free of spelling and grammar errors.
If you’re not sure how to write a cover letter or what to include, there are lots of resources online that can help. And if you need more help, you can always reach out to a career counselor or recruiter for assistance.
At the end of the day, your resume should say something like this: “ I’m passionate about helping others do their jobs well and getting work done quickly; I have several years’ experience with Data Entry in Excel, which includes typing data, inputting data to spreadsheets by using formulas, sorting and categorizing information, matching up information to pre-established standards, checking for accuracy in spreadsheets, making sure that all fields are filled out properly before transferring it to another spreadsheet or database .”
The underlined terms are what you want potential employers looking at! The skills listed are directly related to the job role itself, which makes you stand out from other candidates who may not know how to write a resume that speaks to the company you’re applying for.
Building an entry-level resume can be difficult, but by tailoring your content to each job that interests you, you’ll show hiring managers that not only are you qualified for the role but also have a passion for what the company does! This will help set you apart from others who are just as prequalified as you are!
Highest Paying Tech Jobs to Get With No Experience Required
It can be tough to break into the tech industry without any experience, but it’s not impossible. Here are three jobs that are relatively easy to get with no experience and that offer high salaries.
1. Systems Administrator
As a system administrator, you will be responsible for the upkeep, performance, and operation of a computer system for organizations as well as businesses. Being one of the highest-paying tech jobs, you can earn between $60,000 and $80,000 yearly. This position requires you to have a bachelor’s degree and a good understanding of systems.
2. Web Developer/Manager
Web developers are responsible for the creation, design, usability, and visual appearance of a website. As one, you need to be creative, and technical and also have the ability to think critically. They make between $40,000 and $90,000 annually.
3. Digital Marketer/Strategist
Digital marketers are becoming an integral part of every business. They are responsible for marketing products or services using digital platforms/tools such as social media, email, search engine optimization, video marketing, etc.
The average salary of a digital marketer depends on his area of expertise and experience. For beginner and intermediate digital marketer, the average salary is between $30,000 to $50,000 annually while an expert can get up to $100,000 yearly.
4. Digital Project Manager/Web Project Manager
A digital project manager is responsible for the successful planning, execution and delivery of digital projects. They work with clients, stakeholders, internal teams, and third-party suppliers to make sure that all aspects of the project are delivered on time, within budget and to the correct specifications.
The median annual salary for a digital project manager/web project manager is $66,000.
5. Content Marketing Manager
A content marketing manager is a position that is typically responsible for developing and executing a company’s content marketing strategy. Their duties may also include creating and publishing original content, curating content from other sources, and managing the distribution of content through social media channels.
The average salary of a content marketing manager ranges from $121,990 to $156,100. Still, salary will depend on factors such as experience of the digital marketer, the size of the company, and business location.
6. Web Editor Job
A web editor is responsible for content on a webpage. They usually work with the editorial team that include a graphic designer and a content writer.
To be a web editor, you must be familiar with the CMS used by your organization, atleast a basic knowledge of any graphic tool and HTML and CSS. Your job description could go as far as designing the web’s layout to writing and editing content, to managing the website’s online presence. It is a very demanding tech job but they are well paid enough, earning around $49,999/year.
7. Social media manager
A social media manager is responsible for developing and executing a social media strategy for a company or organization. This involves creating and publishing content, managing interactions with followers, and measuring the effectiveness of social media campaigns.
The median salary for a social media manager is $79,000. However, salaries can vary depending on the size of the company, the industry, and the region.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling to find a tech job, don’t give up hope. With the right skills and mindset, it’s possible for anyone to land an entry-level position in this industry. We really do hope you find this guide useful on how to get your foot in the door today!
