Landing Your First Tech Job: 5 Tips for Success

Securing a tech job in Malaysia as someone with a non-tech background can seem daunting, but it's possible with the right approach and mindset. So what should you do when you get a callback for an interview? Here's how to nail the interview and break into tech.

Girl using laptop

Visualise Interview Sessions As Interview And Interviewee.

This takes a little lesson in role-playing, so hear me out. If you have done your research correctly, you’ll know that interviewers love asking behavioural questions to assess your competencies outside your technical skillsets. These questions assess your communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. To prepare, visualise the interview session, playing the role of both interviewer and interviewee to manage anxiety and help yourself consider specific examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in past experiences. This exercise will help you structure your responses to be concise and avoid rambling.

Asking Questions, Right and Powerful ones.

The trick is to see an interview as a two-way dynamic than the one-way power dynamic we were told before. In 2023, we see new trends in recruitment processes, and one of the standard interview practices is to conduct it in a relaxed and often conversational manner. In a technical interview, ask clarifying questions before you start your test. Once you think you understand the problem, restate your understanding to the interviewer so they can correct or guide you. Sharing and showing your thought process is also key in a technical interview. The interviewer wants to know how you think— especially how you solve problems. Don't forget to ask relevant questions to see how your skillset and career goals could align with the company because it is crucial to see if that company are a good fit for you. Saying yes to a job is saying no to a dozen others—you're paying a significant opportunity cost by saying yes.

Build A Strong Network.

Your network is one of the most essential tools in your job search. Connect with people in the tech industry, attend events and join online communities where you can interact with tech professionals. Linkedin is a great space to scour your existing network to find specific links for an insider scoop on your desired job role. It is also important to do the exact opposite of engaging, that is, to be an acute observer. Conversations and engagements with spaces like this also give you an insight into the industry. If you’re working in a co-working space, tap into the community and nurture organic friendships. You never know where it could lead you. These solid networks can give you a better understanding of the industry and help you get leads for job openings, and connect you with people who can provide valuable insights and recommendations.

Certifications And Experiences Are Your Currency.

By now, upskilling is a well-known concept and also a very crucial one when you are looking to expand your horizon. Gone are the days when college degrees play a dominance in the field. Since the rise of online classes and virtual learning, online courses have been a thing because certifications demonstrate that you have the skills required for the position and that you have invested time and effort to learn those skills. Simplifyed.io is a great platform to enrol on sought-after IT courses where you can learn a beginner-level course in a few hours and get a foot in the door. Speaking of secondary- education, boot camps are popular for intensive training that can add value to your resume and get the hands-on experience that the tech field values. Also work shadowing, internships, and short-term contracts are also excellent routes to get familiar with the tech industry.

Flaunt Yourself, Professionally.

The first step of ‘flaunting’ yourself is to have an impressive portfolio. Digital or printed, when you create your portfolio, do it strategically and curate information according to the exact job role you are after. A portfolio is a collection of your work that showcases your skills, knowledge, and abilities. It's an excellent way to demonstrate your potential to potential employers. Even with a non-tech background, there is an array of skillsets which surpass industries more than you realise. You can start with a skills audit to identify your special “powers’, and next, you can devise a simple matrix to identify the skills gap and how you can compensate for the gap. Here, you can include projects you have worked on, tutorials you have followed, and other relevant materials.

The rise of digital transformation is a calling for everyone to familiarise themselves with the necessary technical skills, however simple it is. Simplified was conceived with the sheer objective of tackling this void in the market for reliable and easy-to-adopt technology tools to help organisations and corporations ride the wave of rapid digital transformation. By acclimating yourself to the conventions of the industry, it is likely that you will increase your chances of success in getting access to the world of tech.

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