Start working in IT – tips from a technical recruiter

Working in the information technology (IT) industry can be a fascinating and rewarding career choice. Sometimes I’m asked to do a technical interview and I thought I could basically write some advice for people who would like to start working in IT. So I did, I wrote a social media post that got a lot of attention. This article was created as an extension of a social media post. To get a broader perspective, I decided to talk to some colleagues who also do technical interviews..

Advice on technical job interviews, but not only

Below are some tips regarding not only the technical part of the job interview. Tips can help you start a career in IT and gain an advantage in the labor market:

1) Check if it’s for you

Finding out if a job in IT is right for you is essential to avoid frustration and increase your chances of success in this industry. Working in IT requires passion, commitment, problem solving skills and continuous learning.

How to check if a job in IT is for me?

• It is worth focusing on your strengths and passions and considering whether working in IT will allow you to develop them.
• You can take various IT-related skills tests that are available online.
• You can try to create simple projects, such as creating a simple website, to see if you enjoy programming and creating technical solutions.
• Just talk to people in the industry, ask them about their experiences, challenges, and what aspects of the job they like and dislike.

Of course, in life it’s worth trying different things, if you don’t try, you won’t know, but remember nothing by force.

2) Choose a specialization path

The IT industry is extensive and diverse, so it is worth choosing the specialization that interests you the most. Just as a doctor can be a surgeon, an endocrinologist, a cardiothoracic surgeon, an ENT specialist, etc., you can also choose your specialization in IT.

It can be programming, network administration, security, data analysis or something else.
Focusing on one field will help you gain specialized knowledge and skills that are in demand on the labor market.

How to choose your path?

• You can take online courses, read articles and watch videos related to different areas of IT to better understand what interests you the most.
• It’s worth trying different things a little at a time, and when something interests you, learn more and let yourself be absorbed.

3) Invest in learning and develop your skills

Branża IT ciągle się rozwija, więc nieustanne kształcenie się jest kluczowe. Dlaczego? Ponieważ technologia wciąż się rozwija i zmienia. Nowe narzędzia, języki programowania, frameworki, protokoły sieciowe, czy rozwiązania bezpieczeństwa pojawiają się na rynku w szybkim tempie. Ponadto nowoczesne rozwiązania i technologie mogą znacznie zwiększyć efektywność i wydajność w pracy.

The IT industry is constantly evolving, so continuous learning is key. Why? Because technology continues to evolve and change. New tools, programming languages, frameworks, network protocols and security solutions appear on the market at a rapid pace. In addition, modern solutions and technologies can significantly increase efficiency and productivity at work.

What to do, how to develop?

• Take courses, participate in workshops, read industry blogs and stay up to date with technological innovations. Thanks to this, you will increase your value on the labor market and gain an advantage over the competition.
• Acquiring new skills and certifications can open doors to better jobs and higher salaries.
• Remember that in addition to technical knowledge, soft skills are also important in the IT industry, such as communication, teamwork, or project management, and of course English.

4) Create a portfolio of projects

Expanding your portfolio of projects in the IT industry can help you acquire new skills, increase your attractiveness as a candidate on the labor market, and present your achievements to potential employers.

How to expand your portfolio of projects?

• While learning, you can gain hands-on experience by creating your own projects. After all, not everyone can boast of working on a commercial project. Start by creating your own designs that reflect your interests and passions.
• You can join open-source projects or community initiatives where you can collaborate with other developers or IT professionals.
• If you have the opportunity, take part in apprenticeships or internships in IT companies. Practice in real projects will allow you to gain practical experience.
• Participate in hackathons and programming competitions. This is a great opportunity to work on unusual projects, solve complex problems, and win valuable prizes.

5) Get certificates

Certificates are considered as a confirmation of your knowledge and skills. Get certificates related to your specialization, for example Cisco CCNA for network administration, or a certificate from some AWS, Azure or GCP cloud. Of course, this is not required, because the interview will show how much you can do, but with a certificate, you stand out from the crowd. You simply have a greater chance of being invited for an interview.

How to start collecting certificates?

• First, think about what specialization you want to develop in and then choose the appropriate certificate.
• Usually exams are paid, so you better prepare well. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of a given certificate. Find out what the exam topics are and what skills you need to have to successfully pass the exam.
• You can prepare for the exam yourself, but you can also find paid training.
• Sometimes free sample tests are made available, it’s worth getting acquainted with them.
• When you feel ready, sign up for the exam.

If you want to know how I took the exam online from the Azure cloud, you can look at the article Microsoft Azure Exam at Home. You might also be interested in How I Passed the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Exam – Advice.

6) Be honest

If you don’t know something, say so. Nobody knows everything, Seriously. Usually recruiters do not want to show you how little you know, but to determine the level of your knowledge. I try to find an area in which the candidate has more knowledge. Determine what his knowledge will be useful for and how quickly he will be able to work on the project. Each company has its own technologies in which it works and tries to find people whose knowledge in these areas is at a certain level.

7) Don’t cheat

I’m not talking about lying about your skills, because that can be verified, but about trying to cheat.
For example, during an online conversation, some people try to use chatgpt or the help of another person in the room and think that the recruiter will not notice. Even if such a person is accepted, it is unlikely that he will work for long, because when he clashes with a real project, everything will come to light.

What to do?

• Search for a job that matches your level of expertise.
• If you meet most of the requirements, don’t hesitate, feel free to apply.
• Learn. Get more knowledge. Try to do what you like and thus achieve higher earnings.
• View work as a marathon, not a sprint. Some skills just take time to acquire. I recommend building a solid foundation.

8) Personal Brand

You don’t have to be a specialist to start creating your personal brand. If you are starting to learn, you can create, for example, a blog and describe your progress on it. This way, other people who want to start exploring the same topic as you will have a clear path, it will be easier for them. In addition, the recruiter will see that you want to develop and share your knowledge.

How to start with a personal brand?

• You can start by creating posts on social media and sharing your knowledge there.
• The next step is to start your own blog. It’s nice to have your own place on the web where you can help others.
• If you feel comfortable with the camera, then start recording videos. It’s usually harder to start making videos than writing, but it makes it easier to pass on knowledge.

9) Build your network of contacts

The role of networking in the IT industry is also invaluable. Getting to know people from your industry can bring you valuable tips, information about job offers and career opportunities. At a later stage, when you share valuable information, people will start following you and you can start building a kind of community.

How to build a network of contacts?

• Collaborate with other IT professionals on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Reddit. Participate in discussions, comment on posts, and publish interesting content that will attract the attention of others.
• Participate in industry meetings, conferences and meetups.
• Join open-source projects where you can collaborate with other developers.
• Join professional groups and forums related to the IT industry.
• Learn from others, find someone who is better than you and follow them. Stay up to date with his publications.
• If you want and if you have organizational skills, you can try to organize your own industry meetings or meetups.

10) Prepare for job interviews:

Last and also very important. Getting your dream job in IT also requires proper preparation for job interviews.

How to prepare for a job interview?

• First, find out as much as possible about the company you are applying for and the job you are applying for.
• Analyze your theoretical knowledge related to technology and skills that are required for the position. Recall the basic concepts, algorithms, and concepts related to your specialization.
• Familiarize yourself with questions typical of your specialization,
• Be prepared to be able to present your projects and experience in a concise and convincing way.
• Set up a trial tech interview. Ask a colleague in the industry to have a simulated interview with you.
• Prepare a few questions that you would like to ask the recruiter about the company, team, tasks at the workplace, or organizational culture, what you would like to know.
• Before the job interview, make sure you get enough sleep and rest. Being rested will allow you to concentrate better on the conversation and give you more confidence. Don’t set up an interview early in the morning if you know you’re having a hard time waking up in the morning. If you want to talk in the evening, make sure that you are not overtired and stressed after the whole day.

Summary

To sum up, working in IT offers many opportunities for development and professional satisfaction. Follow your interests, invest in knowledge, build your portfolio and network of contacts, and your adventure with the IT industry may start sooner than you think. It’s nice when you can do what you like in life, so try different things. Find your place.

If you are interested in this topic, you can also see my video 6 tips from DevOps Technical Recruiter | Job Interview 2023:

Microsoft Azure exam at home

How I passed the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam – Tips that help you pass