With sectors like virtual reality and cyber security being amongst the fastest growing industries, a career in IT is a great move for anyone tech savvy who wants to work in a fast paced, ever changing environment where the sky really is the limit.
And did you know that landing a high paying job in IT doesn’t necessarily mean needing a degree?
In fact, with the right skill set, you could walk into a high paying IT job tomorrow.
How? Read on to find out more about landing that exclusive job.
10. Complete an Online Coding Course
Getting accredited online is a fast and easy process for someone who is adept at coding. From this, you can go on to be hired as a software architect with an average salary of $139,000.
Assuming you’re a whiz with coding and know your way around a computer, you’re in with a shot. You need to be able to work well with other people and a willingness to work long, anti-social hours will give you a definite advantage.
9. Add Skills from Outside of Your 9-5 Job on Your CV
Of course you need to have your current or most recent job on your CV, but if you do something outside of work that is relevant to the position, don’t be afraid to highlight it on your CV.
Maybe you make a good side line from a blog or website that you built and run, or maybe you get paid to install secure systems on business websites for a friend.
If the skill is relevant to the job, don’t be afraid to mention it. Many employers prefer a proven record in the industry to a qualification with no experience.
8. Get Ahead of the Game
Instead of going up against hundreds of other candidates for an advertised position, be proactive. Do some research and find companies you’d like to work for.
Find a gap in their IT systems and contact them explaining why you’re the right person to fill it.
This strategy won’t work on everyone, but it will work on forward thinking companies and if that’s the kind of company you want to work for, this technique shows that you’re a good fit.
7. Join a Recruitment Website
Joining this kind of site, such as Monster, gives you the potential to find hundreds of opportunities you otherwise might have missed.
You can also turn on the notifications so that if jobs come up that fit your profile, you’re notified and can get an application in quickly.
6. Be Responsive
After you apply for a job, if you are contacted, bend over backwards to respond quickly and to accommodate the interview date etc. that you’re given.
Being choosy at this point tells the recruiter you’re not that interested in the job and that you think your schedule is more important the company’s.
While this might not be the main deciding factor in whether or not you’re hired, it can certainly affect the decision, even if on a subconscious level.
5. Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn can be a fantastic place to find IT related jobs as any tech savvy company is all over this kind of site and generally, jobs will be advertised there first. It’s also a good idea to follow industry leaders and some of the higher up IT staff at companies you’d like to work for.
Keep your profile professional and share valuable content talking about industry trends to show any potential recruiter that you know the industry.
4. Open Up a Line of Communication
After applying for a position, if you haven’t heard anything within a week or two, contact the recruiter and follow up on your application. Don’t be too pushy, but be enthusiastic about the job.
This gets your name registered in the recruiter’s mind prior to deciding who to interview and it can score you a lot of points when you show you’re passionate about the job.
3. Check on Facebook
Many companies in the IT sector are turning to Facebook pages to advertise job openings. For a low price, recruiters can target people who are in the perfect demographic for the job they’re advertising and they can check out people’s profiles and get a feel for them before they even speak to them.
Facebook is a lot more personal than LinkedIn, but exercise caution. A potential employer doesn’t want to hire someone who is openly critical of their past boss, or who shares inappropriate pictures etc.
2. Ask Around Your Friends and Family
If you have someone close to you who works in IT, ask them if they know of any openings. Tell them what you’re looking for and your skill set and ask them to keep you in mind if anything comes up.
Now this only works if the person has a good reputation in their company and in the industry in general, but a word of mouth recommendation from a respected employee can go a long way in IT.
1. Know Your Strengths and Your Worth
This point sounds rather odd, but it’s so important. Imagine being in an interview and the recruiter asks a variation on the infamous “why should I hire you over the other candidates?”.
If you don’t know what your strengths are and what you can bring to the company, there’s no favourable way to answer that question.
Don’t be cocky, but be confident and sell your skills. If you don’t sell yourself, no one else is going to do it for you.
As IT is one of the most lucrative industries, finding a high paying job quickly within the industry is completely achievable if you’re willing to put the work in and get out there and find yourself an opportunity.
Companies want problem solvers, risk takers and team players. Show them you are those things (along with being extremely tech savvy) and you’ve got this.