Diving into a new industry can feel like a catch-22: you can’t get a job without relevant experience, but how do you get relevant experience without a job?
Luckily, that conundrum has become fairly obsolete when trying to break into the tech industry. Between free coding classes online, YouTube tutorials on just about anything and opportunities to freelance remotely, it’s never been easier to build up your skills enough to move into a career in the tech industry.
But is that enough? We talked to recruiters for tech companies around Los Angeles to find out what it takes to secure a job in the tech industry.
Build your credibility
If you want to build a new skillset, the first thing you have to do is start — somewhere, anywhere. Laura Flores, who handles talent acquisition for ConsumerTrack, suggested to, “volunteer to revamp your church or school organization’s website, search Craigslist, oDesk or Elance for freelancing opportunities or contribute to GitHub projects.” There are myriad ways to add to your portfolio, just get experiene where you can. That kind of intrinsic motivation is highly valued in the tech world, especially when looking to work for a startup.
Show what you know
As you build your portfolio of work, the next step is to show what you know through presentation. Creating a portfolio site is not just about its function, which is to showcase your work. How you build the site itself shows your level of tech savvy. It shows your understanding of user experience, responsive design, ability to code and more. As Flores advised, “whether you’re a recent engineering grad looking for your first job or a mid-level professional wanting to make a career change, the best way to break into tech is to showcase what you can do.
Get involved in the industry
To get a job in tech, you have to show a sincere interest in the tech industry. Julie Monroe, a recruiter for Laserfiche, says you need to be able to hold a conversation about industry news and current events, reference blogs and bloggers you follow, and be able to articulate what pieces of tech you prefer. She emphasized that, “hiring managers love to see eagerness, which can often replace lack of experience.”
Do I really need a mentor?
Technically, no. You can self-teach code, freelance on projects and learn the hard way through trial and error until you feel comfortable enough to start applying for jobs. But, having a mentor can not only help avoid some bumps, but also allows you to gain access to a wider perspective on the industry, technical advice, and maybe even job opportunities. A mentor can create a clear view of what a career path in your particular area in tech may look like.
It can seem intimdating at first, but you’d be surprised how often people say yes to mentoring opportunities. As Laserfiche recruiter Monroe pointed out, it’s as easy as ‘reaching out and offering to buy someone coffee to learn about how they got into the industry.'
Get networking
Find tech industry events via meetup or Built In LA and start networking. Depending on the type of event, you can meet so many people at all stages of their career at these events. You can meet a mentor, hear about a job, or even just create connections with others in your new chosen field — all of which can help you make the leap into tech.
Be persistent
The key is to get the word out there that you're looking. Update your LinkedIn and Built In LA profile and talk to people already in your network about your aspirations. Between your portfolio building, networking and mentor’s connections, you’ll be able to find a job in the tech industry.
