The technology sector can offer plenty of opportunities but when searching for a new job, you may see a number of roles which you might feel are out of your reach. However, getting started with a career in tech can be simple, sometimes you just need a little help on where to start. With comprehensive job listings and insightful articles like “Is Technology a Good Career Path?”, job seekers can find guidance on starting a career in tech and discover opportunities they may have previously thought were out of reach.

So, whether you are currently studying for a career in tech, or looking to change careers from a different sector, Linaro, an open-source collaborative engineering organisation, has shared eight industry secrets that will give you an advantage when applying for a job in tech.

Learn Tech Skills 

It may not be possible for everyone to enrol in a four-year degree, but some form of education or training is worth the time and investment. With plenty of online courses, night schools and crash courses to suit different lifestyles, learning new tech skills is easier than ever.

Research your area of interest to find what is the most used technology or coding language. Often jumping ahead into a newly emerging area also gives you an opportunity to showcase an in-demand skill that others may lack.

Take on Technical Projects

Outside of studying or your current job, the best way to see if you are technically inclined and gain experience with the basics is to expose yourself to the field. Side projects such as writing a website script, going to hackathons or trying to build a website or app will help build your confidence and understand where your specific interests lie within the world of tech and as a beginner – this is the best time to find your niche.

Network

Going beyond expectations will highlight work ethic and passion to employers, trainers, and teachers. Show that you are immersing yourself and exploring the industry by attending networking events, workshops and conferences, in addition to your learning.

It may seem like an impossible task to get into certain tech communities but by showing up to events, listening and engaging in discussions, you can become an appreciated community member.

Contribute to Open-Source Projects

Open-source projects, big and small are a great way to grow your technical abilities and pick up new skills through collaborative work. Not only do they offer ample opportunities to practice new skills but working on open-source projects can also help you network with fellow programmers and add more credentials to your CV.

For example, Linaro works with member companies and the open-source community to maintain the Arm software ecosystem and enable new markets on Arm architecture.

Use Best Practices

The tech industry is a lot about trying things out, so it is important to learn and always use best practices for software development, whether it be design patterns, common coding standards or testing.

Systems are complex with lots of dependencies, and it can be uncommon that things just work on the first try. You often must solve issues in areas in adjacent technologies which can be quite tricky to do. But by doing this repeatedly, you will gain more and more experience and you can often re-use tricks, patterns and solutions that you came up with in the past.

Find a Mentor

If you are studying at university or attending online classes, finding someone to learn from will help you further grow and begin to create industry connections. Working with a mentor who has in-depth tech experience will both build your confidence, as well as help you develop your skills faster. For underrepresented groups, finding a mentor can also be critical to getting a successful start.

Mentors can be found through specifically designed online platforms, online tech groups or communities or by networking both in person or via LinkedIn. It can be hard to find a mentor you can relate to but be positive, don’t give up and never sell yourself short.

Stand out from the Crowd

To make yourself stand out from other candidates for roles that are in demand, be sure to impress with more than just a CV. As well as technical strengths, it is key to highlight important people skills, such as adaptability and perseverance, including examples of your work in a portfolio.

Target Start-ups 

Start-ups may offer more flexibility on experience and roles than a more established company if you can assist them with well-rounded skills to help them grow. Start-ups often require employees to wear many hats, so by showing potential employees that your skills are well-rounded, you are more likely to succeed. Much like start-ups, open-source projects are a great place to learn as you can be coached to write code that is reliable, maintainable and meets requirements.