5 Tips to Start Your Career in IT with No Experience

5 Tips to Start Your Career in IT with No Experience

Are you in need of a career change or have you always been intrigued by the world of IT? The timing of following this career path couldn’t be better! There is a massive global shortage of skilled IT professionals, the pay can be really rewarding and there are heaps of diverse opportunities.

Let’s look at 5 tips to start your career in IT today, with no previous experience:

1. Take a short course or get a certificate

Yes, getting a university degree has many benefits to it, but it comes with years of commitment. The good news is that you don’t need an IT Degree to enter the IT workforce. One of the fastest ways you can get a foot in the door is by dedicating a few weeks or months to a relevant course or certificate. This will not only give you more confidence to apply for entry-level jobs but it will give you a step up from a candidate with similar skills and no certification.

2. Be OK to start at the bottom

Maybe you had a more senior role in your previous career or job. To start your career in IT with minimal skills and experience you are going to need to be ok to start from scratch, and at the bottom. With dedication and gained experience you will be able to move up into something more rewarding and challenging quicker than you think.

3. Apply your past experience and qualifications

If you look at your current resume, including all of your work experience and soft skills (like problem-solving, communications, customer service etc), you may find that you have quite a bit to bring to an entry-level job. Many of these jobs will require a sturdy set of soft skills. You may even have some other hard skills which may prove valuable to your new IT career path.

4. Harness the power of networking

Your professional & personal connections are so important when starting out in a new direction. Put word out that you are looking to enter a career in IT and you may be surprised how many friends, friends of friends, work connections, family members or other social network connections many have a lead or opportunity for you. Employers are generally way more eager to hire someone based on a personal connection or recommendation than a complete stranger, even if your skillset is slightly less advanced.

5. Look within Familiar Industries

Almost every known industry utilises the skills of IT professionals in one way or the other. Think about industries you may be familiar with from your previous experience, like for example: a construction company or marketing agency. Both of these would require the need for IT workers. If you already understand the nature of that industry or business you are already going to be of high value to the employer, even if you still need to develop the level of your IT skills. This is the best way to get an advantage, look for an entry-level job in an industry you know well.

Taking a leap into a new career, especially with minimal skills can be daunting, but it’s not impossible. Arming yourself with the right tools and knowhow you can significantly increase your chances at starting a rewarding career in tech that will last a lifetime.

INTERESTED IN STARTING AN EXCITING CAREER IN IT?

We offer two IT specific specialisations at Mindroom Innovation:

ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology – Business Analysis Specialisation

ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology – Front-end and back-end Web Development Specialisation