Is technology a good career path? How do you make a transition into the tech industry? What are the best resources for landing a job in tech or IT? As a high tech career coach, I am frequently asked if technology is a good option for those considering a career change.
Is Technology A Good Career Path?
In this article, I share a few considerations to consider when contemplating a career in technology. I also provide helpful resources to support you in making a successful transition if you decide this is the right career path for you.
3 Reasons To Pursue A Career In Technology
To begin, let’s review some of the most common reasons job seekers decide to pursue a career in the tech industry.
First, the tech industry is rapidly expanding. While the global COVID-19 pandemic led to record unemployment numbers, the tech industry experienced a simultaneous boom in hiring. Anecdotally, I have personally witnessed surges in hiring among tech startups, enterprise tech companies, and organizations of various sizes in between.
Second, the tech industry is known for both impressive base salaries as well as robust total compensation packages. Many tech companies also offer lucrative stock options. Moreover, tech salaries have recently hit record highs and are likely to continue rising in the coming years.
Third, a tech career can help you improve your work/life balance. While not all tech jobs will allow you to reclaim your time and freedom, many are known for prioritizing employee well-being. However, keep in mind that work/life balance varies dramatically from sector to sector, company to company, and department to department. The key is to find a career and a company that aligns with your unique needs.
Important: These are just a few of the reasons job seekers choose a career in tech. I strongly advise conducting informational interviews with people in your target role to learn more about a company’s culture and values.
How To Break Into The Tech Industry
Now let’s discuss how to break into the tech industry. While networking is important in any job search, it is especially important when looking for a career in tech. Networking empowers you to stand out in a saturated job market.
You should try to harness the power of informational interviews to find an ‘in’ at your target company and learn more about its culture. Informational interviews can also be used to help you paint a clearer picture of your ideal job.
As you consider your career in tech, imagine your dream company, title, functional area, and salary expectations, and consider the following questions to guide you:
- What size tech company do you want to work at? Do you see yourself at a private or public company? Does name recognition matter to you?
- What is your ideal title? Do you have a functional area in mind?
- What are your salary expectations?
These are just a few questions to get your wheels turning. This article further describes how to find a job in tech or break into the industry.
How To Find Tech Jobs Online
Finally, let’s discuss how to find tech jobs if you decide this is the right career path for you. Beyond networking and informational interviews, there are a plethora of popular websites to find jobs in tech and IT. This article synthesizes my favorite websites where you can find open jobs in tech online. The following are additional helpful resources on landing jobs in tech.
How To Land A Job At Meta (And Other Big Tech Companies) (Forbes Article)
Three Tips To Break Into The Tech Industry (Forbes Article)
Breaking Into Tech Without a Tech Background (Podcast Interview)
