Firstly, switching careers is a very natural part of modern work. In fact, studies show that people change careers at least two times in their professional lives. So, you see, you’re not weird for wanting something different.
What’s more? Switching to tech actually makes sense when you think about it. The industry is growing at a significantly fast rate thanks to the emergence of technologies like AI, data science, blockchain, and more. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for data scientists will grow a whopping 34% by 2034. It’s no wonder that people are thinking of switching to tech.
But how can you pull this change off successfully? Here’s what you need to know.
Define Your Next Career Goals
When people say that they want to go into tech, they probably mean that they want a job role that looks hip and pays more. And that’s fair. After all, an AI prompt engineer earns about $111,552 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. Compare that to the salary of a customer service representative at $39,098, according to the same ZipRecruiter, and it begins to make sense.
But is that all there is to it?
Are you pivoting into tech just because you want to work remotely and earn six figures, or because you actually see a future in that niche?
It’s important that you’re specific and intentional about your goals because broad, generic goals rarely appeal to hiring managers.
Upskill Strategically
Once you’ve figured out why you’re moving into tech and what role, it’s time to do the actual work.
Depending on the role and industry you’re coming from, you’ll likely need to take a few courses and build the right skill set. But here’s the thing with many people pivoting into tech. They tend to sign up for just about any tech-related course under the sun. That’s not a strategy. That’s noise.
A better option is to focus on the training and skills the role you’re interested in needs.
Go online, look at current job descriptions, and note down the exact requirements for the tech roles you have in mind. Concentrate on those areas.
But it’s not enough to just pick up tech skills. According to the World Economic Forum, pairing the tech-related skills you picked up with soft skills like creative thinking, flexibility and agility, resilience, curiosity, and lifelong learning is also important. The goal is to get into your new tech role as prepared as possible.
Package Yourself To Attract Good Roles
One of the good things about a career transition is that you’re not starting from scratch.
Even if you’re looking at moving from your current role as an accountant into data analytics, you have work experience and transferable skills. Your job is to package those in such a way that it’s attractive to hiring managers.
This mostly means reworking your resume to fit your new role. And don’t forget to include your newly acquired courses and skills.
But to really, truly stand out, you need more than just your resume. Many people who've switched careers successfully use specialized HR services to optimize their professional reputation. This typically includes video references from past colleagues, holistic views of your past work, and even feedback and recommendations from supervisors.
Seeing a real human, even if it's on video, vouch for your work ethic and problem-solving skills is much more powerful than a bullet point on a PDF. In fact, according to Digital Reference, services like this make it easy for you to be found by companies looking for the qualities you have and projects you've done.
It helps you stand out in a crowded market where everyone's resume looks the same.
Prepare Financially
This right here is where many career switchers drop the ball. A career change rarely follows a straight line. Not everyone is lucky enough to jump from one role directly into another without a gap in between. Some have to take ‘stepping stone’ jobs.
Maybe you’re taking a 3-month front-end development course online, but you have to step away from your current job because it’s not giving you time to focus. A stepping stone job is a very flexible job you pick up that may not pay so well, but gives you the time you need to study.
Of course, this means a drop in income. Having some money set aside can give you some breathing space while waiting for something to click.
Even when you finish your tech courses, getting the job you want will likely not happen immediately. Most people spend between 10 and 12 months job hunting, according to a survey cited by Fortune. A financial cushion can make a big difference when the process drags on longer than expected.
Leverage All Your Network
Here’s the part about moving into tech that not many people know: the roles are usually filled before they get online. And it’s not just tech roles only. It’s virtually the same thing in every industry, with more than 71% of companies using referrals to fill their job openings.
What does this mean for you?
It means that you should not just send out applications and wait for the job to come knocking. You’re a professional with an existing network. Leverage it.
Reach out to people you know or have worked with and let them know what you’re looking for. You can never tell which conversation will point you in the right direction.
Final Thoughts
Switching to a tech career is a great move, as long as it’s one you’ve thought through properly.
But the truth is that this move doesn’t often happen quickly. Sometimes, it can take months before the right opportunity clicks. Hopefully, what we’ve covered in this article can help make the process a bit easier.
Remember the key points? Define your why. Learn the needed skills. Package yourself. Leverage your network properly.
Do that consistently, and your dream of a tech job is closer than you think, even if progress feels slow.
