How to Get a Job in IT?

We have all witnessed the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on various industry verticals. Numerous layoffs, reductions in pay, lack of job openings, etc., are some of the unexpected and unwanted situations. However, there were a few sectors that were not influenced by the global pandemic, and IT is among those.

Even today, the IT industry offers multiple career opportunities for individuals from various disciplines. Also, it will continue to strive for future growth and provide more career prospects. This is why most individuals aim to have their profession in the IT industry.

Here are some statistics that show how rapidly the IT sector is growing:

• It is expected that the annual revenue of the IT industry will reach $350 billion by 2025.
• Cutting-edge technologies, like cloud, AI, ML, etc., would be utilized by more than 80% of global organizations.
• Employment in IT is expected to grow by 15% from 2021 to 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

From these figures, we can conclude that IT is one of the flourishing industries that have a lot to offer individuals looking to advance and make their careers successful. Hence, there is fierce competition among individuals to get a job in IT.

If you are among individuals wishing to have your career in the IT field but don’t know how to kick-start, this article is for you.

How to Get a Job in IT?

1. Know the Space

At first, it is good to know what exactly the IT industry looks like or what different job opportunities it provides. So, make sure to research the IT space through various blogs, forums, YouTube channels, podcasts, and discussion websites and know what kind of job interests you or is a perfect fit for you.

As there is a multitude of job profiles in IT, list out the profiles that you are interested in. Figure out whether you enjoy developing applications, testing those applications, helping the organization’s network department, or any other job IT role.

2. Develop or Polish the Relevant IT Skills

The skills for each IT job position vary, as every profile has different roles and duties. So, depending upon the job profile you choose, develop the skills accordingly.

Here are a few common skills that you can notice in most IT job descriptions:

• Operating Systems: As operating systems are the core software programs of computer systems, it is essential to possess knowledge of major operating systems, such as macOS, Windows, and Linux. This knowledge can open you for a wide range of IT job roles.
• Networking: Having a sound understanding of different networking issues and their solutions can help you advance your career in IT.
• Security: The basic knowledge of computer and internet security can be beneficial to land a land job in IT.
• Communication: Communication is the most important and basic skill in every industry vertical, and IT is no exception. As an IT professional, you will work in a team, help team members with their problems, and ask for help from other members, and for all these, communication is key.

3. Earn a Certification

No doubt, certification is one of the best ways to demonstrate your skills and abilities. For novices, there is a plethora of entry-level IT certifications that help them develop an understanding of fundamental IT concepts.

Further, you can go for pursuing a certification in a specialized discipline of IT, such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, network security, etc. These certifications help you land a job in a particular field of IT.

4. Build your Experience

When it comes to landing a job in IT, the most significant asset is your experience. Potential employers mostly prefer candidates having work experience. So, it is essential for you to develop an experience in the field you choose.

The following are some ways to gain experience:

• Personal Projects: While you learn the concepts of the IT field you choose, you can implement those concepts by creating small and simple projects in the beginning. This boosts your theoretical knowledge. After that, you can help your friend or others in creating websites and applications or tweaking the computer network. This way, you can build experience in the domain.
• Internships: Another way to build your experience is to work as an intern. You will work with an organization and learn various concepts by putting them into practice in the real world. This serves as a great opportunity to land your dream job in IT.
• Freelancing: Many web developers and software developers work as freelancers and take up multiple projects. You can start freelancing and develop small projects initially. Once you have had enough experience, you can opt for a full-time job.
• Volunteering: Many organizations and start-ups look for supporting volunteers. Here, you can work as a volunteer and help them with their projects. This boosts your experience and knowledge.

5. Network

Connect with more IT professionals so that they can help you get a job in reputed companies. Your network can include families, friends, coworkers, alimony of your college, or people you connect with through LinkedIn. Though your network may not help you land a job, you will surely learn new trends and advice from IT professionals.

6. Apply for Entry-Level Positions

In most IT fields, entry-level positions generally require little to no working experience. So, start applying for entry-level positions. Take help of various job portals that help you find relevant job roles. Some of the job portals include LinkedIn, Indeed, glassdoor, Monster, and AngelList.

While you apply for the job positions, you can polish your interview skills side by side. Go through online interview resources, prepare for behavorial and scenario-based questions, and read the interview experiences of other candidates.

Conclusion

This way, you can get a job in IT. As it is a competitive industry vertical, it seems pretty challenging to land your dream job. But when you develop all the essential skills and put your skills into practice, you can easily crack the nut. Though the entire process is slow and lengthy, it is worthy, rewarding, and enriching. The only key is patience and consistent perseverance.