How to get a job in tech with no experience

It seems like all the cool jobs are in tech nowadays, but if you graduated with an arts degree and think javascript is a type of coffee, that’s alright, you still land a cool job at an app or a software service.

Moving into the tech field just means you have to love technology and find your niche.

Here are our top tips on landing a job with some of the coolest tech companies.

Start small
If you want to work at Google but don’t have the tech background, try getting your hands dirty in a tech startup first. This way you can gain a foundation of knowledge about product development or or product management. Startups are also a great place to learn about new industries since they’re thirsty for passionate people no matter what their background.

Research
You might not know how to programme, but the industry needs communicators who can translate all that tech jargon into simple words. Research the tech field you want to work in like fintech, adtech, or even ecommerce. If you have enough industry insight, you’ll be able to apply for jobs within a tech company that don’t require hard tech skill such as customer service, marketing, or even sales.

Study and close your knowledge gaps
Identify your knowledge gaps and work on those. Take new classes, get certified, or even earn a new degree. Without experience in the industry, studying is your edge to get hired. Many academies in Singapore offer online courses and intensive in-class 10 week courses. It’s a tough ride but you could be on your way to becoming a UX designer, web developer or data analyst in a matter of months!

Look for internships
No matter how old you are, an internship will help you step into new territory. The best thing about being an intern? It’s all about hands on learning experience. Being an intern will help you apply in real life all the new knowledge you’ve acquired, and make you understand the field better. You’ll also get to gain experience. Find a mentor, and a build a new network. Who knows, that company you intern for might just want to hire you onboard.

Reach out to your network
Another way of looking for a job in a completely different field aside from applying online, is to find someone among your network who is already in the field. It could be a family member, friends, or acquaintances. Ask them for job leads, and for some tips on how you can successfully shift from your current job to a tech-related one. Personal recommendations can sometimes help you more than your extensive resume.

Want a job in tech? Click here for jobs in Singapore.