9 Ways to Secure Your Dream Role in Tech - Even If You're Changing Industry or Coming Back from A Career Break
Sep 26, 2022
Women in tech are taking on all types of roles and making a huge difference. Offering high wages and job security, it is clear that working in the tech sector is a dream for many. Besides, employers are always on the lookout for a tech wizard.
It is important for women who wish to secure their first or next role in tech or plan on rejoining the workforce after a career break need to have a solid game plan. To help point you in the right direction, we have created the ultimate post just for you. It covers the top ways to secure a role in tech. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right in.
- Establish Your Professional Personal Brand
The first thing that you need to do is focus on establishing a professional personal brand for yourself. In order to create a professional personal brand, you have to think about who you are, what you bring to the table, and your habits, goals, and values. It is the image and message you want others to see. Having the right self-created image is necessary if you want to set yourself apart from the competition and ensure that employers take an interest in you.
Set up your LinkedIn profile and get it looking top notch. Use keywords that will attract hiring managers and make contact with suitable connections.
- Consider What Employers Are Looking For
Want tech companies to notice you? You have to prove to them that you have what they desperately seek. The world of tech has evolved considerably over the years. This is why it is crucial for you to know which type of positions you would be perfect for. You can start by creating a personalized plan based on your talents and objectives.
Ideally, your main focus should be to consider what type of role would set you on fire and then find companies that are actively recruiting. But it’s a good idea to find out which roles they always have an opening for. Then, you should learn more about the employees each prospective employer hires so that you know what they are on the lookout for. It would enable you to strive toward being the greatest candidate for your dream role. Don’t be afraid to reach out to recruiters for a coffee chat to see what they are looking for.
- Complete an Internship or volunteer to support another project.
Excited about working in tech or simply want to reenter the workforce? An internship can open up doors for you that you didn’t even know existed. By completing an internship, you would be able to gain valuable experience. A tech internship will involve completing a project or performing a variety of tasks that you can highlight on your resume. It would help you get extra points in an interview for a permanent role. On top of this, you will get contacts who can vouch for you or even write a letter of recommendation addressing a prospective employer. To make sure that you end up getting selected for an internship, you must apply for multiple internships. Once you are done, the experience will help you get your dream job.
It's not always easy to do this, internships require extra effort on top of already busy schedules. Especially if you already have a job or need the money! When I was looking for my first professional roles I sent over 500 emails to find a paid internship and so I know it’s no mean feat! But consider looking to support just a few hours a month if possible.
If you’re already in tech but want to transition into another role, volunteer to support the team you want to work with. This is a chance to demonstrate how good you are and get to know the people who will be hiring into that team.
- Study Supplemental Courses
Whether you decide to enroll in a degree program or not, you also have to consider taking supplemental courses. As the world of tech is constantly evolving, new technologies are always emerging, and you need to have a strong grip on them. This is why supplemental courses are an absolute must.
There are many things that you need to learn, regardless of how many years you have been in the industry. Chances are you could learn some additional skills that could boost your chances of landing your dream role in tech. You need to learn different skills. Keeping up with the latest trends will help you figure out which type of supplemental courses to sign up for. By showing prospective employers that you have a willingness to learn new things, you will be able to get hired for the perfect position sooner than later. The good news is that a lot of courses are free or inexpensive. Udemy is usually a great place to start.
- Join Women in Tech Networking Groups
A great way to boost your chances of landing a tech role is by joining women in tech networking groups. It will allow you to get in touch with people who can make a difference in your professional life. There is a lot that you can learn from them. It would also ensure that you attend networking events and find a mentor who can guide you with your tech career.
Whether you are looking for your first big break in tech or returning to the industry after a career break, you have to join networking groups to avoid missing out on any opportunities. It doesn't matter whether you already know a few people or not, as having more professional contacts always helps. Otherwise, you would not even know about many of the networking events as they are exclusive. Also, being a part of a networking group would show a prospective employer that you are interested in the industry.
- Create a Personal Website
In addition to the above, you should consider developing a personal website to show off your tech achievements. Having a portfolio for hiring managers to view always helps. Even if you have never built a website in the past, it is simple enough to do and there is no better way to showcase your abilities.
Make sure that you cover everything on your website, especially all the projects you have taken on. Don't limit yourself and try to include as much information as possible so that prospective employers notice what you bring to the table.
- Improve Your Resume with Keywords
To get called in for an interview, you also have to improve your resume. If it has been a while since you worked on your CV, it could be the reason behind your struggle. It is a good idea to customize your resume for every position you apply for. In order to do this, you will first have to review the job description and tweak your CV to highlight what each prospective employer is looking for.
A key tip that you should consider is using the same keywords used in the job description. The reason why you need to do this is that applications are analyzed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Therefore, you have to use the right keywords, tools, and names of programs to get noticed.
- Get prepared!
You have to think beyond the job description. This is why it is crucial that you research each company before you apply for a vacancy. It would also help you figure out which organizations value women in tech. After all, you are going to need to show the employer that you have an interest in what they do. Therefore, research should not be overlooked.
Lastly, you have to practice for interviews so that you impress the hiring manager and get recruited. You should go through mock questions and brush up on your tech fundamentals as you are likely to be asked to perform some form of task. It might sound a bit stalker-esk, but in fact, it is vital that you learn more about each interviewer so that you can form a connection with them. Look them up on LinkedIn, understand who they are and what they are interested in. Most interviews start with some small talk. Being able to chat with your interviewers about their interests will build report. – Just be careful not to come across as a weirdo.
And remember, the more you practice, the better. If you have confidence issues, you need to ask a friend to interview you so that you can be your best self on the day of the interview.
After you have gone over our post, you will know how to get your dream tech job. By considering the tips we have mentioned above, it will be easy for you to take your career to the next level. You will also need to be patient, as great things take time. However, you can rest assured knowing that you will land the perfect position and succeed. And remember, Never let anyone or anything hold you back - If you want that new role in tech, it’s yours for the taking! You can do anything you set your mind to.
BIO: Charlotte Fuller, a leading female figure in STEM is a world traveler and an expert in helping companies adopt the latest industrial digital technologies. She earned her Master’s in International Business and has more than a decade of experience working with real-world organisations. Through her keynote presentations and workshops, she now supports organisations in building confident, high-performing female STEM talent through her signature masterclass.
Before taking on consulting privately, She worked with leading providers of digital transformation services during her time with Microsoft / Accenture. She has worked with many industry-leading companies to leverage technology & create operational efficiencies, drive more revenue, and build the teams required to meet the exact needs of their customer.
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