No matter what industry you are in, it seems like the job market is getting more and more fiercely competitive. This is definitely true when it comes to the world of technology. Just a few decades ago, if you knew about technology it was quite easy to get a job in your field. That is because there were so few people who were fully trained in what was then seen as a rather new topic called computing. There were so few people who knew exactly how to work and repair the new equipment that an increasing number of businesses were investing in, that if you knew what you were doing you could simply walk into a job by showing your qualifications.
The days of employers fighting for new employees who are trained in this field are sadly gone. If anything, the tables have reversed completely. More and more people now claim to be knowledgeable enough about technology to get a role in this field. That is why it is increasingly difficult to stand out in a crowd of applicants when a company advertises for a new job. Whilst you might be the best person for the job, it is important that you are quickly able to prove those credentials and persuade the interview panel that you are the right person for the job in the very short period of time you spend with them. Whilst this might sound like a difficult task, there are a lot of things that you can do to enhance your chances of standing out from the rest of the crowd. Here is a look at some of the ways you can make yourself more employable in the world of technology.
Get more and more qualifications
One of the first things that any potential employer will look at with regards to a new potential candidate is their education. If people do not have a relevant degree in technology or computing, their application may simply be thrown into the bin before they even read about their experience or any other factor when it comes to whether they would be good at the job or not. That is why many job adverts ask for a qualification in the relevant field so they can try and deter anybody who does not have one of these applications from even attempting to apply for the job. It is also why it is important to display your education towards the very top of any resume.
Even if you have a degree in computing or technology, you might still find yourself in a group of candidates that have the same level of education. If you find you are simply not getting invited to interviews based on what is on your resume, consider furthering your education in this field. If you have got a standard degree, why not try and complete a master’s degree so you move one step further up that ladder of qualifications and step above many of the other potential candidates applying for the job. You might think that studying for a master’s degree would mean having to move back to campus and live like a student for another year. In fact, these days you can now complete an online masters in data science from anywhere in the country. You can choose exactly when you study and where you study. This means that you can fit the class requirements around any existing family or work commitments, whether that is choosing to study after work or when your children have gone to sleep. You might think that an online course might be seen as less prestigious as a course from a more traditional, campus-based college. As these courses teach you the exact same things you would be taught at a traditional college, there is no reason for any employer to see it as any different from any other master’s degree. In fact, the idea that you took the initiative to study online around your existing commitments could impress any potential employer more, as it shows you are ambitious and able to juggle many tasks at once.
Create your own projects
Often it can be hard to convince people that you would be good for a job with words. This is especially true when it comes to the world of technology. Although you can tell people you have experience using certain tools and software and even talk about examples of how you have used them effectively in the past, it is better to be able to show them something that proves your skills. That is why it is important to make your own little projects that you can demonstrate to any potential employer. For example, if you are looking for a job in web design, it is vital that you have your own website to be able to show them. Try and make sure that this website simply is not a portfolio of your existing work, as it is highly likely that they will have seen lots of these during the employment process. Instead, try and come up with a new idea that pushes the boundaries of your knowledge and can really impress any potential employer. If you can make this project a stand-alone success and prove exactly how many people have visited the page, it could be one of the most impressive parts of any job interview.
Speak to those people who are most likely to want to employ tech experts
You might think that the best way to get a job is to simply wait until the right one shows up on a job application website. Then you might think the best way to secure that job is to send that application to a group of complete strangers. Instead, why not try and make connections with the people who are likely to be able to offer you a job before they advertise for one. It is increasingly easy to be able to communicate with these people in these industries as many of them are now regularly posting on social media. Try and start up a conversation with one of them and ask for some work advice or even some work experience. Having a pre-existing connection with one of the interview panel can be a great advantage and also make you a lot less nervous when it comes to that all-important interview.
