In today’s fast-changing job market, many people find themselves switching not only jobs or companies but opting for a completely new career path. One such career path that is particularly interesting is working in the tech industry.
The tech industry is booming. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
However, getting started in the lucrative and rewarding field of technology can, at first glance, seem intimidating if you don’t have any prior work experience in the field (or in any field for that matter). The truth of the matter is that prior work experience isn’t always necessary to get a good job in the tech industry. And in many instances, educational qualifications are not necessarily needed either.
In this short article, we’ll take a look at a few interesting tech jobs you can get even if you don’t have any prior work experience. We’ll also take a look at steps you can take to increase your chances of landing a job (steps that, in many cases, are even more valuable than prior work experience).
Software Developer
Software developers (also known as computer programmers, developers, software engineers, or app developers) are in high demand currently. The statistics on the talent shortage in the US are staggering, and projections show that the problem is likely to get worse. However, this is good news for anyone looking to break into the tech field without prior work experience.
Software developers typically earn around $90,000 a year (starting off at around $65,000). They work on a wide range of products, from financial applications to video games and social media platforms and everything in between.
Proficiency in coding languages such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS is a must. Fortunately, there is no shortage of online courses and academies that specialize in coding training.
Web Designer (Web Developer)
Web developers design and create websites. Their salaries vary wildly from the bottom end of $55,000 upwards to $110,000 with the average salary being around $72,000.
There are three kinds of web developers.
● Back-end web developers build the framework of a website. Proficiency in coding is necessary for this role.
● Front-end web developers focus mainly on the visual aspect of the website and the user interface. This includes adding graphics as well as pop-up forms, videos, and other similar kinds of media.
● Full-stack web developers create websites from A to Z, doing the job of both the back-end and the front-end developers. Typically, full-stack web developers work for smaller companies or those that do not have the resources for a large team of developers.
In addition to coding skills, web developers have a keen sense of aesthetics. They stay up-to-date on current trends in digital design and UX (user experience).
Your Portfolio Trumps Work Experience
Companies that hire software developers and web developers need employees who can produce results. These results come in the form of usable apps, software packages, and websites. Though prior work experience isn’t necessarily a must, the employer does need to see that the candidate has demonstrated the ability to see a project through to its completion. This is where your portfolio comes into play.
Whether you’ve built websites for yourself, friends, or freelance clients, being able to show an aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly website that you’ve created goes a long way to impressing recruiters and hiring managers – in most cases, more so than any prior work experience could. The same holds true for software and apps.
Even if the app you’ve created doesn’t relate to the job you are applying for – for example, you created a simple video game but are applying for a job in the field of finance – what’s important is that you can demonstrate the ability to see a project to its completion.
In a Nutshell
You don’t need prior work experience to get a lucrative and rewarding job in the field of technology. Companies across all sectors of activity are hiring developers and designers, though not all companies offer the same compensation package or the same work environment. Investigate your future employee and choose wisely. Candidates with IT knowledge are in high demand. You shouldn’t need to settle for unfair or uninteresting conditions, even if you don’t possess prior work experience in the field.
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