There has never been a better time to look for a tech job than today. Tech talent is so in demand that it is now a job seeker’s market. But, how can you ride on the trend if you have no experience in that field?

Many job seekers want to have a slice of the booming tech industry. The salaries are impressive and excellent perks come with the job. Without a tech background or experience, landing a job in this field can be just a dream.

Don’t lose hope because there are entry-level tech jobs you can grab even if you have no experience. A little determination and planning will help you land your first tech job. Don’t let the myths about getting into tech stop you!

Myths About Tech Jobs

There are several myths surrounding tech jobs that make shifting to this field daunting. No worries because they are just myths, meaning, not true in most instances.

• You have to know how to code before getting a tech job

Only about 30% of tech jobs are technical. The rest are non-technical roles such as sales, marketing, business development, etc.

• You need about 5 years tech experience to get an entry-level job

The experience of a job seeker is on a wish list of hiring managers but not a hard-fast rule. You can bypass the experience rule with proper networking, choosing the right tech company, and acing the interview.

Forget about these myths and go ahead – plan and prepare and you will be on your way to landing a tech job.

No tech experience? No Problem!

Working experience is an asset in the tech industry. Hiring managers typically hire someone who already has hands-on experience on the job.

So, you want a tech job but do not have any tech company listed in your resume? Stop, relax, and breathe! There are several ways you can overcome the barriers to landing a job in tech.

You do not have to wait to be hired by a tech company to gain experience. There are several experience opportunities you can take advantage of and put yourself ahead of the pack of tech job searchers!

You can learn to shift into tech even with no experience.

1. Take online courses

Almost everything you can now learn online. Getting a degree in tech can take years but you can get tech certificates (credentials that show expertise in a skill or technology) in just a few weeks. You just have to invest a few hundred dollars for testing fees.

You can start by learning low-level digital skills such as Canva, CSS, HTML, and Photoshop basic editing. You can then level up your skills to a few beginner-friendly programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, and Ruby.

Since these are online courses, you can easily fit them around your schedule. One more thing, never get overwhelmed. You have to start somewhere!

2. Build a portfolio

When you are into online courses, you will be doing a lot of projects such as building your websites and apps to enhance your skills. So keep building your projects.

Your tech projects can form part of your portfolio that you can include in your resume. To be more convincing and to gain some experience, try to contribute to open source projects.

3. Attend a Bootcamp

Attend a bootcamp – a coding bootcamp. It will speed up your shift to the tech industry. Of course, you can plot your path, but a coding bootcamp can be a faster route from A to B.

4. Request to be assigned tech-related tasks at your current job

There is a likely a tech-related job in your current company. Identify the tasks that fit your newly-acquired skills and ask your manager if you can contribute. For example. You can help redesign or maintain the company website. This experience will boost your resume.

5. Grab simple freelance jobs

Grab simple freelance tasks as soon as you acquired basic proficiency in a few tech languages. Freelancing is a quick way to practice your newly-acquired tech skills.

There are freelance platforms you can choose from. You can initially work on tasks such as website maintenance, tech support, and UX testing. You can move forward to more complex tasks as you gain more positive reviews and experience.

Your freelance jobs will give you the confidence to apply to tech companies.

6. Search for crossover positions

There are tech companies where your working experience can be of good use. These are the easiest tech jobs to get into.

If your background is in banking, finance, or accounting, you could be a perfect fit for a FinTech company. If you are a teacher, you can join an EdTech company.

You can explore several crossover options. Even with no experiencein tech, you can easily get your feet in the door because you are familiar with an industry and its corporate lingo.

7. Volunteer

Thousands of humanitarian and non-profit organizations need volunteers for their humungous activities. Organizations such as UNICEF and your local community charities always welcome a helping hand in tech fields.

Volunteer work is similar to an internship except that you typically work fewer hours and are unpaid. You can do this on weekends. The volunteer work you do can make it easy for your tech transition because you can include some of your tasks in your portfolio.

You can also offer help to small businesses, friends, and family. For example, you are into finance or want to eventually land a job at a FinTech company. You can help a small accounting firm build a website. They will appreciate your help and at the same time, your work will be a great boost to your resume.

8. The power of networking

Having the right connections are powerful. Networking to find connections can help you find a tech job. Social media and interacting with people who are in the tech field can increase your network.

You can also search for tech-centric events in your area and create professional contacts. You will enjoy these events and meet new contacts, too. Networking can help you get a job in tech even with no experience.

Make it a point to meet and know people. Who you know always helps! If you are a teacher, connect with teachers who have shifted to tech.

9. Run a personal website or blog

Blog about a tech niche. This way you can show your newly-acquired tech skills. Share valuable and relevant content. With your blog, you can gain experience in digital marketing, branding, programming, and even Fintech.

In creating a how-to blog, for instance about programming, you can share different kinds of programming and build several real-life projects. This is just like acquiring practical experience.

10. Be willing to start with entry-level tech jobs

Be willing to start your tech career with entry-level tech jobs that offer training and advancement. There is nothing wrong with starting at the bottom. You have shifted to a new field so be willing to start over even if you have been a supervisor or a manager in your previous job.

Easiest Tech Jobs to Get into

Entry-level tech jobs, even those that do not require experience, pay well. These types of jobs are a great to gain the tech experience you need to have a successful techy career. So, chill, entry-level jobs are cool.

Here are the easiest tech jobs to get into. They can help you how to get tech experience.

Customer Support Representative

This job does not need tech experience, just simple knowledge of the industry of the client you will be handling and basic computer skills.

Social Media Manager

You will be managing the social media presence of the company – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Snap, and TikTok.

Creating images, words, and videos will be a breeze because for sure you have been posting your stuff in these platforms. The additional tasks would include tracking performance, developing strategies, and tracking performances.

SEO Specialist

This involves creating and designing content to make a website generate web traffic. Your main task is to make sure the company website lands on page one of Google search result pages.

Digital Marketing Manager

This job is similar to being a project manager within the marketing team. Your job is to increase brand awareness and sales through the online presence of the company (blogs, social media, ads, and website).

Content Marketer

In this job, you will be responsible for the content strategy of the company such as audio, video, and social content. The bread and butter of this job though are blog posts and articles. Your main task is to inform, educate, and develop brand awareness.

You can stand out from the pack of applicants if you are into writing and managing your blog.

Graphic Designer

This job entails the use of words and images to show off a brand or company. You will be creating the visual assets of the company – product packaging, web graphics, logos, social media images, and more.

Your online course in Photoshop, Figma, and Canva will come in handy in this job.

Web Developer

Your task in this job is to improve and maintain the programs that run the website and web applications. Again, your online courses or the boot camp you attended on CSS, HTML, Ruby, JavaScript, Python, and PHP can help you get started on this job.

You can get into these tech jobs even with no experience. Along the way, you will be provided training and will be a tech expert in no time.

Final Thoughts

Are you one of those who want a career in the tech industry? Never think it is impossible to land a tech job if your experience is in another field.

There are several things that can come close to or even replace having experience in the tech field.

Join Rise and be part of a community where everybody helps everybody land their dream job!