IT job with no work experience – Whether you are preparing to enter the job market for the first time, or have been working most of your life, this is an excellent time to start your career as an IT professional. The technology market has been booming over the past few decades and is showing no signs of slowing down with such significant growth and such high demand for new tools, applications, and software.
With cloud computing, mobile applications, massive amounts of data, software of all kinds, the ever-growing global web, social media, and information security threats in the entire world, organizations large and small are relying more and more on highly qualified and specialized IT professionals.
According to this growing demand, IT jobs often pay well, and many of them come with desirable benefits, such as remote work options and space for promotion.
If you love technology and are looking for a high-paying IT job with no work experience, you are in luck. The technology sector is booming, and IT careers are expected to continue to grow over the next decade. These jobs also pay much more than the average wage for all occupations.
People who have IT careers use computers, software, networks, servers, and other technologies to manage and store data. IT job titles can vary greatly from company to company. For example, one company might hire a “developer” while another might hire a “programmer” – but the work might be exactly the same for both companies, even though their job titles differ. Also, many of the skills in this field are transferable, which means that candidates may qualify for many different roles.
How do I get an IT job with no experience?
Getting started is one of the hardest parts of applying for an IT job with no work experience, especially when you don’t really know where to start. If you find yourself in this position, your best resource is one that can provide not only information to help you every step of the way, but also advice from professionals who already work and employ staff in the technical field. This is that resource.
Whether you are in a dead-end job or moving from the military, everyone has different reasons for moving into the IT industry. And the timing couldn’t be better! The industry is facing a massive shortage of workers, offering great wages, amazing benefits, and plenty of job opportunities.
If you don’t have much experience, but are looking to join this booming industry, don’t worry! You are not the first. Check out tips on how to get IT job with no work experience.
How to get IT job with no work experience
Apply Your Past Experience to the IT Industry
When you make the decision to pursue a new career in IT for the first time, it is important to take a close look at your past experience. It might sound like you don’t have any of the skills listed in job ads, but “soft skills” can be surprisingly important and many skills can be transferred to IT roles.
For example, if you are looking to get started with a help desk position (an entry-level IT role), things like communication, customer service, familiarity with Microsoft Office, and other common skills can be a big boost to your resume. By carefully thinking about your past roles through the perspective of the role you wish to take on, you may find a treasure trove of related experience.
Get industry certifications
Certification may be the fastest way to break into IT. While a technical degree can take anywhere from 1 to 4 years, certificates can be studied and obtained in a few weeks. The entry-level certifications such as ITIL, CompTIA A +, Network +, and Security + in our entry-level PC User Support program can lay the foundation for roles in networking and cybersecurity later in your career.
By obtaining certification, you will show potential employers that you have the skills they need. This could go a long way toward making up for a lack of experience. For some roles, the right degrees will place you higher than applicants with limited experience and who don’t have degrees. The best thing is that certifications can help unlock more entry opportunities rather than just taking the first IT job that comes your way.
Be open to starting from below
It is important to note that you may have to “start over” in the IT field. Maybe you were a manager or an advanced professional in your old industry, but you’re leaving it for a reason! Be ready to start low-key mode and work your way up. The experience you get from working at the bottom of the ladder will be valuable as you develop into a more challenging position.
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Don’t worry too much though, your earning potential in the IT field is only limited by the work you do. At the low end, you’re looking to start right around 40K in a help desk position, in 5 years in the industry and a couple of cybersecurity certifications, you could look at about 65K minimum in a cybersecurity analyst role. It really depends on your willingness to move forward and the extra learning time you put in perfecting your craft.
Learn relevant technical skills
When it comes to technology, there are millions of different things to learn that can improve your resume. Anything from understanding Salesforce to knowing how to publish on WordPress can be helpful for the next employer. Using YouTube and learning from countless free videos is a great way to learn new skills and enhance old ones.
Follow your interests and educate yourself about software and hardware in your spare time. You’ll be able to add these skills to your resume once you’re qualified for them, and they can make the difference between getting a job and taking a look at it.
Look for cross positions
Although you may not have any direct experience, there are IT workers in every industry who utilize networks and computers (pretty much every industry that exists). If you have years of experience in auto sales, for example, searching for an IT job at a car dealership may help. Understanding half of the work can go a long way toward making you a valuable employee from the start, even if your technical skills aren’t top-notch. You’ll still have to start from the bottom, but it might be the best way to gain your first year or two of IT experience. Generally speaking, it is not impossible to start your IT career without experience, hence the word “start”, but many individuals remain skeptical of making the leap in the IT field. By arming yourself with the right tools and knowledge, you can greatly increase your chances of starting a career in technology that will last a lifetime.
