Making a career change can be daunting. That’s why so many people don’t do it. There is comfort in what we know and are used to doing. Even if we may not like our daily routine, we know how to navigate it, so we stay in it.
We don’t have to, though. It’s never too late to switch to a new industry. We can continually redefine who we are and change the direction of our lives.
The world is rapidly changing, and we are allowed to change right along with it.
The technology industry is rapidly changing as well. Every day, established companies innovate, and new companies open their doors. Information technology is rapidly growing in the United States. It’s expected to grow 12% over the next decade. It’s currently ranked number one in the category of fastest-growing industries.
What better time to make a move?
No, you don’t need to be Tim Cook to land a great job in tech.
Working in tech doesn’t mean that you have to know how to code. Some of the fastest-growing positions in tech are related to customer support. Skills that you already possess will transfer to a technology company. You don’t need a degree from MIT to get your foot in the door.
Every company needs someone detail-oriented, someone who can talk to customers, and someone adaptable. Does that sound like you? Great! Maybe now is the time to look at tech jobs differently.
According to research from Glassdoor, 43% of jobs advertised by tech companies are non-technical. That’s about 53,000 positions. Tech companies need people that are non-techie to help them communicate with clients. If you’re an outsider to the industry, that could be an asset.
Begin to think about what aspects of tech you enjoy and how you’d like to contribute to this rapidly growing sector. Start with your résumé.
How to update your résumé for the tech industry
You’ve acquired many skills from your current career. So many, in fact that you may have forgotten about some because they are now innate to you. Begin to take note of all the things you do throughout your week. As you do this, you’ll see a pattern emerge, and you’ll hone in on what you’re great at and what skills are transferable.
Hint – it’s probably a lot.
- If you currently work in finance, begin to look into FinTech – the financial tech industry.
- If you work in retail, start to look into e-commerce companies.
- If you work in customer service – okay, you can work anywhere.
Working in tech can be a great move because tech is infused in everything we do.
Take your current skill set, link it to what interests you, and pull out keywords to highlight in your résumé. Soft skills are paramount. Use that to your advantage. When you include keywords like communication and teamwork, it will help your résumé stand out if it’s passed through an automated system.
Ensure that you’re still writing your résumé for a human rather than screening software. Ultimately a person will read it, so if it’s stuffed with keywords, it may tend to read a little wonky.
Once you’ve updated your résumé, you can take on the world!
But what if you want to learn a new skill? What if you are interested in learning how to code or learning a new techie skill? You absolutely can while you’re still working your current job.
How to learn a new skill in the tech industry
Udemy – this a great place to learn a new skill. The website has over 200,000 online video courses ranging from Excel to Web Development to Data Science. Udemy also offers courses on design, marketing, and photography. One look at their website will spark your imagination and broaden your outlook.
Coursera – this website offers degrees, certificates, and even some free online courses. Some tech giants offer some great classes here. IBM Data Science, Google Data Analytics, and even Intuit Bookkeeping. Coursera has partnerships with universities and offers certificates and some graduate-level learning. They even offer a few courses you can finish in one day.
Codecademy – If you are interested in coding and computer languages, Codecademy may be for you. This site offers beginner-friendly lessons in Computer Science, Data Science, Front-End Engineering, and more. There are also complete courses on computer languages like Python, Javascript, and C++. They even offer a quiz if you’re not sure where to start.
Starting a career in tech is exciting! There’s a whole new world to explore, and you get to be a part of companies that bring new ideas to life.
It’s your future. Anything is possible.
If you’re thinking about moving to the tech industry, the best time to make a move is now. Set your future in motion. It doesn’t matter if you’ve done your current job for two years or twenty; you get to decide what you want to learn next.
The rapid growth of tech won’t be slowing any time soon. There’s a multitude of websites that can help you. Bush up your résumé, research the industry, and even learn a coding language. You can do it while you’re still working at your current job.
You get to define how you’ll move through your next career. It can be whatever you want it to be.
You’ve acquired a fantastic skill set in your current career. Now you can use it, learn a new industry, and combine them both.
