Many wonder how to get a job in IT. IT or information technology is a rapidly growing field. Working in this career field gives you a chance to grow with the industry, be one of the first to work with groundbreaking, new technology and the rewards of working in IT can be pretty abundant.
From a high-paying tech salary to amazing perks like tuition reimbursement, stock options, flex work options, and more, it’s not hard to see why workers are flocking to the tech world.
The tech field is growing, tech workers are in demand and people want to know how to get a job in IT. We’ll explain how you can do that, in this article.
If you want to land an IT job, start your search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free to use and you can upload your resume to their resume database so that recruiters can find you.
What is a Job in IT?
IT is information technology (also called tech) and includes jobs that work with computer software, hardware, data storage, security, and support.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2020 until 2030, 13% growth is expected to happen in the tech industry, faster than the average of all occupations with the median income for computer and IT occupations!
Examples of jobs in IT include product manager, data scientist, computer scientist, web developer, and full stack developer, among other roles.
How to Get a Job in IT
There are many paths to getting a job in IT. Some jobs have education requirements and years of experience. Others require no degree and you can land these positions with self-taught skills and a solid set of soft skills under your belt like communication skills, leadership, and self-awareness.
What Do You Need To Get A Job In IT?
Not considering the specific requirements of a particular tech job, generally, the steps for getting a job in IT are:
- Research jobs
- Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to work in that position
- Create your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Apply for jobs and get hired
1. Research jobs
Before you start arming yourself with the education and experience needed for IT, it’s important to know what jobs are out there and which jobs you’d be interested in working. So, you’ll do job market research to understand what jobs exist and which roles you’d like to work in.
Once you choose a job role of interest, the next step is to start equipping yourself with the tools to be able to perform that job.
That means going to college, getting certifications, gaining experience, learning programming languages, and other requirements, based on the job you’re interested in.
It’s important to highlight that not all tech jobs require a college degree and experience.
Also, you may already possess the education, skills, and experience for the position so the next step may not be required for all IT jobs.
Learn about the highest paying tech jobs!
2. Gain knowledge and learn skills to work in IT
This can include:
- Enrolling in education
- Gaining experience
- Working in an internship
- Working on personal projects and freelance projects
- Getting an entry-level tech job while furthering your education to land your desire IT job
Enrolling in education could mean going to college to get a bachelor’s degree. It could also mean going to coding boot camp or getting certifications that will complement your existing skill set.
Then, you will gain experience. This could be through:
- Working in an entry-level tech position
- Landing an internship
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- Working on personal projects
- Taking on freelance projects
This is a desirable path to take to first gain an education as a solid foundation for the tech job you want to work and then getting some experience under your wing.
Related: Best IT Certificates
3. Create your resume and LinkedIn profile
Once you’ve gained the knowledge and skills to perform the IT job, it’s time to create your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Your resume is like your job business card. It’s going to share all your academic achievements and work-related accomplishments. This is where you can brag about yourself. Talk about your awards received, volunteer work you’ve done, organizations you’re a member of, work experience, and more. Learn how to create an IT resume.
If you’re struggling with resume writing, look into resume writing services. Here are some of the best resume writing services online.
LinkedIn is the social network for career goers. Make sure you have an account set up on LinkedIn and complete your profile. It’s a great place to network, chat with peers, and get referred to your dream tech job.
Did you know that 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn for recruiting purposes?
4. Apply for tech jobs and get hired
Lastly, you’ll find and apply for jobs, go through the interview process, and get hired. There are many interview prep resources online to help prepare you for one of the most rigorous hiring processes you might experience. If you want to supercharge your interview skills, check out Career Cloud Executive Editor, Michael Gardon’s, Exclusive Interview Guide.
You will want to be prepared to answer technical questions about topics like the coding languages you know, projects you’ve worked on, and example scenarios so recruiters can get an idea of how you think through problem-solving situations.
Related: The Best Tech Careers
Where To Find Jobs In IT
Finding jobs in IT can be done online through job search jobs and job search websites. If you’re an employer looking to fill a finance job, or any other position, check out our list of the best free job posting sites.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is used by millions of people. It’s one of the top job search banks to find work in all industries, including tech.
To learn more, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
LinkedIn is not just a career-based social network but it’s also a job search engine. Navigate to the Jobs section of the site to search and apply for tech jobs.
To learn more, check out our LinkedIn review.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor is a place to search for jobs online, including tech roles. You can also get valuable information about the company, salary insights, employee reviews, learn about company culture, and more.
To learn more, check out our Glassdoor review.
Dice
Dice is a tech job board where you can find jobs from the top tech employers. They have tens of thousands of job openings available as well as information about hiring events and career development resources.
Google Jobs
Google Jobs is Google’s job search engine. You can easily search for tech jobs and filter results by degree, experience, location, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a career in IT?
You can start an IT career by first researching the IT jobs available to figure out what job role you’d be interested in working. Next, equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and experience for that job. Then, create a resume, get on LinkedIn, apply for tech jobs and land your dream tech role.
What IT jobs are easy to get?
IT jobs that are easy to get are:
- Software developer
- Web developer
- Computer support specialist
- Cyber security analyst
There is a tight labor market and tech workers are in-demand. It’s easier than ever now to land an IT job, especially for new college graduates.
What do you need to work an IT job?
To work an IT job you will need the background and/or experience related to the tech job you’re applying to. Many IT jobs require a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field like computer science, information science, computer technology, or a related field.
Can you get an IT job without a degree?
Yes, you can get an IT job without a degree. There are many IT jobs available that don’t require a college degree. Oftentimes, you can gain the education and skills you need from coding boot camps, online courses, or through being self-taught.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to scratch your head wondering how to get a job in IT. There are concrete steps you can follow to land a tech job and I hope this article provides some clarity and a clearer understanding of the path to follow to work in IT.
To get started in your tech career search, visit ZipRecruiter today!