Featured article by Jade Anderson, experienced In-house Editor at Upskilled
Finding your dream job in IT isn’t always easy. Even when you’re in the industry, you can still be stuck in the wrong role. How can you attain that dream position? Recent graduates, people looking for a new role and even ladder climbers all face the issue of finding something they are thrilled with. This doesn’t mean that everyone is unhappy, they could just be looking for more. So, how do you go about finding your dream role in IT?
Self-Awareness and desired role
Self-awareness is the start of it all. You need to understand who you are and what you want. What inspires you to get up each day? Do you want to be a support technician, a software engineer, developer, programmer, or work in game design? You need to ask yourself different questions about your wants and needs. Additionally, there are also other ways you can learn about yourself.
Go online and find information exercises that help gain further insights into who you are. You can also take personality tests which recommend IT roles based on your results. You don’t need to take the results too seriously, but sometimes it can trigger feelings. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to think materialistically. What do you want in a job? Some people want a company car; others wish for simple perks like healthy snacks in the office. Find out what you truly want.
Find an IT mentor
Locate somebody who can act as a mentor. It could be a former manager, boss, professor or business owner. Having a mentor that works in the industry will help. Furthermore, somebody that works in the niche you desire will be even more beneficial. For example, if you want to work in software, try find a software engineer or developer to be your mentor. If you know they can provide value, they can be a successful mentor. The main goal of your mentor is to help you uncover what you want.
Use your network
People are your best asset. Before you begin applying for jobs, take the time to educate yourself about different IT roles, industry leaders, companies, and career paths that IT has to offer. Used LinkedIn to seek out the right people, individuals who can teach you about their journey and how they found got their foot in the door, to where they are now. If you want, try setting up an informal meeting with people in the IT industry. The IT community is close knit and people are always willing to help.
Experience and learning
Getting as much experience as possible is critical. You might already be practiced and qualified, but does it relate to the role you want? If the change you want it significant, you might have to work your way up again. What are you willing to do to get your new role? How will you stand out over other applicants? You can find recognised IT courses online with Upskilled that are relevant to your needs. Another option is going to industry meet-ups. Here you can learn, network and experience new things that can aid you in the process. You want to prepare yourself for your new journey. Experience and learning is the best way to start this preparation.
Strengthening your personal brand
Before you start sending out your resume, you want to create a personal brand, at least re-create it. Have a look at your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn and other online profiles. What do they say about you? Are they appropriate for that dream job? If not, you will have to change things up. For example, if you want to be a full stack developer, you should highlight your experience and skills with Java. An active personal brand is authentic and consistent. You want to create a new image for yourself.
Applying for jobs
You are now at the stage when you start applying for jobs. There are so many platforms which can help you get to where you want to be. Before you tap into these platforms, you want to see if you can bypass them and use your network. Are former colleagues aware of any roles? Is a friend hiring? Did you meet somebody at an event that can help you? Once you have exhausted all these options, head online. LinkedIn is a fantastic start for IT Professionals and a place where you already have an online presence. Additionally, don’t overlook sites like Gumtree who offer a fantastic job platform.
Persistence and hard work will pay off, don’t give up!
Author Bio
Jade Anderson is an experienced In-house Editor at Upskilled. With a background in online marketing, Jade runs some successful websites of her own. Her passion for the education industry and content is displayed through the quality of work she offers.
