If you’ve built a career in tech—no matter how long you’ve been in the working world—there is probably going to come a time when you’re going to have to find a new position. This is because the tech space is a fast-evolving, ever-changing place where projects and investments come and go very quickly. One of the byproducts of this dynamic is a churning job market that requires adaptation in order to prosper.
So, how can a job seeker in the tech industry get ahead? Here are four tips to help you.
Tip #1: Build an “at-a-glance” portfolio representing your best work.
Whether you code, manage projects, or something else entirely, you’ve got a history of success that is your best selling point. Employers want to see that you’ve proven your abilities in the past before they’ll be willing to take a bet on you. One of the best ways to convince a potential employer of your skills and abilities is to prove it with a clean, accurate portfolio of recent projects of which you’ve been a part.
You’ll get extra points if you can provide a narrative for each project—one that explains in detail what your role was and what contributions you made.
Tip #2: Lean on prior colleagues for referrals.
If you’ve ever been a part of a team that had to work together to achieve a common goal, then you already have an outstanding resource for potential job leads. Reach out to those who’ve worked with you, and ask them about any job opportunities they might be aware of.
You might be surprised at how willing your ex-coworkers will be to refer you.
Tip #3: When it comes to your resume, keep it brief and packed with facts.
As far as technical resumes go, the general rule is to keep them to a single page in length, if possible. This may seem like a daunting requirement, but a more compact, concise resume is more likely to be considered than a five-page document full of filler words.
Also, when listing your skills and abilities, use facts and statistics that back you up. Cite the exact metrics that describe your work history, with numbers and percentages peppered in wherever possible.
Tip #4: If you’re in a job lead drought, pick up the phone.
Cold calling for job leads is a long-forgotten art. However, it can be remarkably effective. If you’re not getting the traction you hoped from other job lead prospecting activities, try picking up the phone and calling the companies you’d be interested in working for. They’re almost always on the hunt for talented tech workers like yourself.
When you make the conscious decision to implement these tips, we think you’ll find success sooner than later. Good luck!
