IT is a progressive and constantly changing industry, promising a wide range of great opportunities. The sector is booming and jobs in the field are projected to increase at the faster-than-average rate of 12 percent through 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
With such high demand for IT skills and a shortage of suitably qualified and experienced personnel, salary levels continue to remain higher than the Australia and New Zealand average.
New entrants into the IT sector are lured by an industry that provides a good work-life balance. Most roles are performed during normal working hours with little work to take home.
Are you looking to start a career in IT? Here are our top 4 strategies to get a job in IT today:
Networking, networking, networking
Have you heard of MeetUp or Eventbrite? If you haven’t you need to explore this platform and start watching for any digital marketing and IT events. There are plenty in every major city so start looking out for free events so you can network and meet new people.
The more you network, the more you are building your personal brand. And we all know how personal branding pays off.
Another essential platform to sign up to is LinkedIn. Here you are not only able to follow companies in the IT space that you are interested in but also connect with their team. This allows you to start a discussion with key people in the business and learn about the skills and technology stack you would need to work for them.
Get educated
A degree in the IT field definitely holds some weight, however, there are many shorter courses (Lynda, Udemy and Coursera) you can enroll in to dip your toe in the water and see if a role in IT is for you and many of these are available online. To be successful in this industry, you have to be committed to continual development as new technology is released every minute.
Build a portfolio
There is a big difference between saying you can do something and showing someone the work you have done. Take screenshots, photos and write a brief report on all the work you have done to date. You will never know when or how it will come in handy. It could be what sets you apart from the next candidate.
Being in the digital world you need to think digital. You should have a compelling LinkedIn profile to which you can attach examples of your work. If you are a Developer, Designer or UX expert, think about hosting your portfolio online, making it easily accessible.
Talk to an expert
Contact a trusted recruitment company specialising in technology recruitment, so that they can provide you with a tailored advice and latest industry trends. We have partnered with the world’s leading companies and have undertaken global recruitment assignments for various technology roles across Australia and New Zealand.
