Career switching into tech: challenges & strategies

So you want to switch careers and enter the tech sector? Who wouldn’t! A career where you can be constantly learning, be on the cutting edge of new developments and it’s famous flexibility making it an ideal for those with family commitments (or who just like a modern, flexible career).

However, is this dream career switch just that - a dream? Or is it something that is realistically achievable for those who are already working in demanding careers? This month’s blog post will explore exactly that… keep reading.

What a career switcher has to offer

Let’s start with the positives - as a career switcher you will have so much to offer a potential new employer in the tech sector. Here are just a few points:

Transferable Skills

Yo’ve likely heard this many times, but the skills you have gained in your previous career make you an asset to potential employers in the tech sector. Unlike graduate hires, career switchers can demonstrate, examples of excellent communication, times they have managed stakeholders through difficult situations and periods of continuous professional development, alongside working full time. 

A Proven Track Record

Similarly, career switchers should be able point to a proven track record of performance in the workplace. Whether that be progression through a career or evidence of fantastic feedback from colleagues and stakeholders.

New Perspectives

Finally, a career switcher is an asset to a new employer as they bring with them new perspectives and ideas which a graduate hire may not be able to provide. Through drawing from past experiences, career switchers are able to bring fresh ideas and solutions to firms - which is a hard skill to teach someone fresh out of the education system.

Difficulties remain for career switchers

Despite the obvious benefits a career switcher can bring to an employer, it can still be extremely difficult to get that role in tech without experience or a computer science degree.

The tech sector is extremely competitive for the reasons stated earlier which means getting a foot on the ladder as a career switcher can be extremely difficult. There are many skilled people looking for roles; career switchers, graduates and experienced professionals, all competing with one another.

Another issue, which effects career switchers in particular, is the fact that UK starting salaries in tech can be modest, which makes it difficult for those who want to move from more established careers. Often career switchers have financial commitments like mortgages and childcare that can make accepting a lower paid, entry level job challenging.

The hunt for the elusive foot in the door can be difficult and demoralising. 

Potential routes and tips

It is difficult to successfully switch careers, there is no sugarcoating that, but it is not impossible. Here are a few tips that might help:

• Look out for ‘tech adjacent’ roles that may better match your experience as a stop gap. This might be project management, people management or even call centre work. This sort of tech adjacent role may scratch the tech itch for you and lead to a successful career. Alternatively it is another way of getting some relevant skills onto your CV.
• Spend time finessing your CV - really highlight skills with real world examples to make you stand out. Tweak your CV and cover letter for each role you apply for and tailor your experience towards what the employer is looking for.
• Consider applying to bootcamps that have a job position at the end. In the UK one of the leaders in this field is CodeFirstGirls, who partner with many leading public and private companies in the UK and further afield. These types of courses are extremely competitive, but for good reason!
• If you want to showcase your tech skills and gain a technical role, consider the types of technical projects you do and showcase on your Github profile. All practical experience is great for your own development, but consider the curation of your Github profile as important as the creation of your CV. Make sure to ‘star’ the projects you are most proud of and that show a range of technical ability. Try to work on projects that are a little bit different to the usual bootcamp projects and most popular Youtube videos. Just think that recruiters look at hundreds of Github profiles every year and tend to see lots of similar projects. Spend some time thinking about how you want to show off all the work you have done!

Conclusion

Switching careers into tech is undoubtedly a challenging endeavour, but it's far from an unattainable dream. With the right approach, persistence, and a bit of creativity, you can leverage your existing skills and experiences to stand out in a crowded field. By seeking tech-adjacent roles, investing time in specialised training programs like bootcamps, and meticulously curating your CV and online portfolios, you can position yourself as a viable and exciting candidate for any tech firm. So keep pushing forward through the challenges and remember you have a lot to offer!

If you have any strategies to share, pop them in the comments!