If you’re wondering, “Which tech job is right for me?” you’ve landed in the right spot.
As a career coach, this is a question job seekers frequently ask when trying to break into tech and determine the right career path in the industry.
It can be challenging to select a tech job when new career options and interesting startups seem to pop up daily.
Additionally, the tech industry is in a state of flux and great uncertainty, which can make it feel even more challenging to chart a clear path forward.
So, how do you select the right career path that aligns with your preferences while considering the current state of tech?
5 Questions To Help You Answer, “Which Tech Job Is Right For Me?”
The following are 5 questions to help you select the best tech job.
1. What are your career goals?
One of the first questions you want to ask yourself when exploring tech careers is regarding your career goals.
While there doesn’t have to be a direct line between your next job and your dream job, it definitely helps if it moves you in the right direction.
As a coach who takes a more holistic approach to career planning, I’d suggest also using this time to reflect on your broader life goals. Because we spend so much of our time at work, it can be a real drag when our careers get in the way of our life goals.
For instance, if one of your goals is to spend more time with family, yet all the careers you’ve identified require long hours, you might need to reassess.
2. How quickly do you want to hit the ground running?
Another important question to consider when researching potential tech jobs is the amount of learning you’re willing to invest in, both before landing the role and once you’re in your career.
Some tech professionals are willing to go back to school, or at least complete on-the-job training, to secure their next opportunity, while others want to ramp up quickly.
While you’re at it, reflect on whether you have certain skills that you really want to leverage in your next job.
3. What are your salary expectations?
If you’re considering a career in tech, money may be a factor driving your decision. Consequently, you’ll want to decide what type of salary you’re hoping to secure in your next job and throughout your career.
Please know that forms of remuneration such as stock, equity, and performance bonuses can make up a significant portion of your compensation when you work in the tech industry.
[Read: Total Compensation: 10 Great Things To Negotiate Besides Salary]
Similarly, career growth may be a form of compensation that’s important to you, so you’ll want to consider what this may look like in your chosen job.
4. What’s your dream company culture?
In addition to the impressive compensation, culture is another major reason why people are drawn to the tech industry. It’s also a common reason people later leave the industry.
[Read: Work-Life Balance In Tech: Is It Really Possible?]
If you’re targeting a rapidly growing startup or larger tech company, it’s important to know that the culture will likely vary dramatically depending on your job function and specific manager.
5. What’s your ideal workday?
An often-forgotten aspect of choosing a career path comes down to how you want to spend your days.
While there are countless ways to build out your ideal workday, you can start by asking yourself reflective questions like:
- What does your ideal workday look like?
- Do you prefer to spend time collaborating in meetings, working independently, or perhaps a combination of the two?
- What’s your preference for strategy work versus tactical execution?
- What’s your stress tolerance?
If you’re unsure what your ideal workday might look like, try to review some job descriptions and make a list of the attributes that excite you, as well as those that sound unappealing.
An important note: Not every workday will align with your ideal. However, clarifying how you want to spend your days can help you identify career positions that align with your work style and avoid those that are in opposition to it.
Bringing It All Together To Find The Right Tech Job
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll hopefully have a better sense of what you want, as well as what you don’t want, in your tech job.
Then you can use this list to begin to narrow down the available tech careers into ones that suit your preferences.
As you identify potential tech career paths, run them through these questions to check for alignment, and don’t be afraid to update your responses as you learn more about yourself and your needs.
[Read: 9 Best Websites For Finding A Job In Tech]
What Are The Most Popular Tech Jobs?
To inspire you, the following are some of the most popular, in-demand career paths in tech as of writing this article:
- Product marketing
- Product management
- Project management
- Business development and sales
- Cloud engineering and software development
- Data analysis and science
- Cybersecurity
The tech industry is constantly changing, particularly with the evolution of generative AI and ML, so don’t be surprised to see entirely new occupations being created in the coming months and years.
Can An Assessment Tell You If A Tech Career Is Right For You?
You can use a career assessment or inventory, such as the Strong Interest Inventory, to evaluate potential occupations.
The Strong Interest Inventory 244 Career Satisfaction Report, for example, provides you with a list of your top 20 Strong Occupations based on (1) how satisfied you will likely be in various career paths and (2) the extent that your interests are similar to individuals who are already in the occupation.
Note: An assessment is a series of data points, not a conclusion. While career inventories can be incredibly helpful as you explore career paths, they can’t tell you exactly what to do or whether you’ll be satisfied.
Am I Too Old To Start A Tech Career?
No, you’re not too old to start a career in tech. Plenty of people who break into the industry at 40, 50, and older.
That said, you’ll want to be mindful that ageism is real and does impact the tech industry, so you must take proactive steps to fight age discrimination when job searching.
[Read: How To Find A Job In Tech Online: 7 Tips]
Final Thoughts On Choosing The Right Tech Career Path
Choosing a tech career path can feel like a daunting task, particularly with the current state of the industry and the broader job market.
Rather than pressure yourself to select the “best” tech job, you may wish to reframe it as “the right opportunity for me at the moment based on the currently available data; I can always pivot later, which is totally normal!”
On a final note, if you’re feeling stuck as you explore potential career paths in tech, please feel free to contact me or schedule a consultation. I’m here for you! You’ve got this!
