How to Get a Job in IT

How to Get a Job in IT, Know the space, Polish relevant IT skills, Get a certification, Build your experience, and Look for entry-level positions.

There are many ways you can get a job in IT, they including earning a certification, networking, and sharpening your relevant skills are important.

1. Know the space.

If you’re interested in IT job, it’s a good idea to know what exactly that would look like, and what kinds of jobs are out there. A good first step is to do the research to orient yourself in the IT space.

To know what IT work is like, and what kind of IT job might be a good fit for you there are several YouTube channels, podcasts, discussion websites, and blogs are avaialble to help you.

If you’re not sure where to start, try reading about common entry-level IT jobs, or explore what IT career paths are out there.

2. Polish relevant IT skills.

Specific skills that employers are looking for in IT workers can vary from role to role. Look through several job listings you’re interested in to see what specific skills you should sharpen.

Here a few skills you might find listed in an IT job description.

Operating systems:
Familiarity with Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems can put you in a good position to work with a variety of devices and can broaden the organizations you’re qualified to work for.

Documentation:
Familiarity with documentation software like MS office.

Security:
A fundamental understanding of computer and internet security can be useful to your life as an IT professional. This can include concepts like encryption and firewalls.

Networks:
Knowing the essentials of networking issues, like network access and IP services, may give you a leg up in your job search.

Communication:
Communicating with others will likely be a key part of your work in IT. IT professionals are often expected to help out other members of an organization with technical problems, or cooperate with team members to roll out new projects. Improving your communication skills can be a great boon to your professional life.

3. Get a certification.

Certifications can be a good way to earn a credential and learn fundamental IT concepts. If you’re completely new to the field, you can learn a wide variety of basic IT concepts by getting a general entry-level certifications.

You can also earn certifications in specialized areas of IT, like cybersecurity or networks or software testing. These can be beneficial if you’re ready to get started in a specific field of IT.

4. Build your experience.

Whether you’re trying to be a network engineer or system administrator or software tester, experience working in your field is likely to be one of your strongest assets when it comes to getting a job. There are several ways you can gain experience.

Personal projects:
If you work well without having too much structure, you can try to learn through personal projects. Creating your own software, building a website for a friend, or tinkering with a computer network can put your skills to the test and give you something to point to in job applications.

Internships:
Internships may not require previous experience and can be a good opportunity to use your skills in a professional setting.

Freelancing:
Some professions like web developers can find work as freelancers. Freelancing can be a good way to complete small projects as you look for a full-time job.

Volunteering:
Many volunteer organizations are looking for support. Offering your skills can help you complete hands-on projects that you can refer to in a job application.

Education:
Though having a degree isn’t a must for many IT jobs, you can gain the in-depth knowledge you need by studying a related field like computer science or computer engineering. If you have the time and resources to put into an associate or bachelor’s degree, it’s a path worth considering.

5. Network.

Networking can be a useful way to find more about a job or company, introduce you to opportunities you wouldn’t have heard of otherwise, or get you a boost in the hiring process. Your network can include old coworkers, friends, family, alumni of your alma maters, or people you reach out to through professional sites like LinkedIn.

6. Look for entry-level positions.

An entry-level position requires minimal related work experience in most any field. But given the variety of responsibilities you can take on as an IT worker, there are many titles an entry-level position in IT might have. Here are a few entry-level titles that you can look for in your job search:

IT associate
Help desk specialist
IT assistant
Computer support specialist
System analyst
Network associate
System administrator
Database administrator
Site reliability engineer
Information security analyst
Cloud engineer
Web developer

How to Use Linkedin for Job Search

1. Update Profile

The very first thing in your LinkedIn job search is the profile tweaking. You have to update your profile according to the company and the profile you are applying to.

2. The Perfect Picture

Remember that LinkedIn is not Facebook and Instagram, and you cannot post anything of your choice. If you are here to get the job, then it is essential that your photo must be simple and not loud.

3. Headline That Speaks

Suppose you’re a rookie that wants to start a professional career or an experienced employee looking for a change with new responsibilities.

In that case, a good headline that speaks on your behalf is all you need to catch the employer’s eyes.

4. Sync CV with LinkedIn Profile

We’ve seen on numerous occasions that the candidates often forget to match their CVs with their LinkedIn profile which is considered a major mistake.

5. Beware of Social Media Platforms

Similar to your CV, you should also be aware of your other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

Do not fake anything on any of the following platforms. The recruiters may ask about your connections or background verification to ensure they hire sincere and loyal employees.