1. Contribute to open sources

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As a newbie in the tech space, this is proven to be a rewarding means to learn and build experience in any skill. An open source project is a source code that is made available to modify, use and distribute.

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You can start by finding projects or organizations that you are interested in and reach. It can be an amazing learning experience, giving you the opportunity to contribute to the communities related to your preferred tech skills.

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This is not open to only programmers or those with coding skills but as well as design, writing and so on.

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2. Networking

Networking is the number 1 written rule of success in business — Allie Krawcheck.

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Networking is the act of building mutually beneficial relationships and it is an important and powerful tool that can upscale your possibility of landing your first job in the tech space.

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Think of networking as a necessary evil, especially if you are new in your industry. It is an investment in your future business and building meaningful and lifelong relationships with fellow tech enthusiasts could very well be the boost you need. Strive to create a positive image of yourself and leave a lasting impression in their minds by showing off your skills, values and also the zeal to learn and contribute.

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Most companies have offered positions solely based on referrals from other people and this could come from someone you have interacted with.

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3. Never Stop Improving Your Skills

Practice, Practice, Practice
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The words above should become your daily mantra.

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You don’t need a degree to get a tech job. This is a known fact. A proficient level of skills and evidence of those skills could be your express ticket to landing a spot at a leading tech firm.

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You can’t do it on your own and this is where having a mentor plays an important role. A mentor should be someone whose life inspires you and he/she should be related to the field you are in. Research them and their achievements, what they do differently and implement those skills in your lifestyle. Luckily, the internet is filled with content and you can read articles, watch videos on YouTube or even take courses (paid or free) to improve your current skill set.

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So go out there, search, study and implement.

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4. Get The Experience

Okay, earlier we said these are tips on how to land your first job with little or no experience and we stand by it.

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You can apply for internship roles and most internship roles do not offer payments. This is a good opportunity to work side by side with experts who are specialists in their field and gain first-hand knowledge from them and properly execute them.

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In most cases, the most promising interns are retained in the industry, so why not give it a shot.

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5. Increase Your Media Presence

Having an active media presence boosts your chances of visibility to potential clients and customers who may have no idea of who you are. Reaching a wider audience would bring traffic to your page and increase your profile visits and awareness.

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Keeping up with the latest trends, being regularly active, interacting with your audience and promoting yourself on social media platforms.

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An extra tip is making sure your profile page is tailored to your involved tech role, stating your skills, what you offer and your availability as well as a means of contact. Even though you are new to the field, give out the impression that you are professional and good at what you do.

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Shamelessly promote yourself and your works, you may never know who is watching.

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6. Join A Community

Never underestimate the power of a community

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Communities are formed by groups of people with similar interests, goals and/or experiences. There is an immense amount of support you can get from others which would be a great way to boost your esteem. It is a means to interact and trade ideas with related minds, as well as to ask questions and receive different opinions.

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Posting your works on forums for recognition and critique is a channel to improve your skills and also get referrals. Additionally, job postings are usually shared within communities for their members to benefit from.

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7. Showcase Your Works

Heard the phrase “actions speak louder than words”?

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This is a perfect example, for no employer would want to just hear promises of what you can do and offer to the position if hired. You could talk for the whole day, receive the usual response “We will get back to you” and never receive feedback. Why?

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BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A BUNCH OF EMPTY PROMISES WITH NO SUBSTANCE WHATSOEVER

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Your actions would speak for you and this is in the form of your portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your previous works and to gain an edge over others, include your most impressive works for showcasing.

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An impromptu meeting with a potential client can start with them indicating to take a look at your portfolio. A simple look would give them an idea if you are the best person for the job and you don’t want to be caught unaware with nothing to show.

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Start building/sharing that portfolio.

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WHAT NEXT?

Now you know the tips on landing your first tech job and how to execute them. The next stop is actively searching for jobs and not being dependent on the efforts of others. The internet is so simplistic that just searching the words “Available jobs around me” would bring about numerous results. Make sure to streamline your search and use the keywords targeted for your skills.

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You can sign up on Freelance sites such as Upwork and Fiverr and apply for available jobs. You could also check platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed or social media platforms like Twitter. There is a vast amount of opportunities out there.

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Listed below are some entry-level tech jobs that you can apply for:

• Web Designer
• Technical Writer
• Software Developer
• UX Designer
• UI Designer
• Web Developer
• Computer Technician
• Technical Consultant
• DevOps Engineer
• Data Analyst

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We wish you the best of luck and also say congratulations on getting a new job in the tech industry.

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