OK, so it’s no secret that careers in tech can be incredibly rewarding.
But what you might not know is that the tech world is in the midst of a major skills gap crisis – which is predicted to cost the UK £141 billion in GDP growth (according to Accenture). Something which means there’s never been a better time to find your first tech role.
But what if you haven’t worked in the industry before? Well a career in tech certainly isn’t out of reach, even for those without experience. And it all comes down to transferable skills.
To learn more, we spoke to tech experts the Learning People to find out five of their top transferable skills to help your CV stand out:
Leadership skills
Good leadership is an excellent asset to have in a wide range of industries. And tech is certainly no exception.
Having the ability to lead a team effectively throughout a piece of work, whether it’s developing a key piece of software, or successfully working together to solve a technical problem, could be pivotal when it comes to delivering a successful project.
As a result, strong leadership skills are also incredibly sought after qualities for prospective recruiters – making demonstrating them on your CV vitally important.
A great way to do this is by listing previous projects you’ve headed up (even if they’re not tech-related). Just make sure you concentrate on the process, as well as the results.
Suggested tech careers: Project Manager, Team Leader.
Interpersonal skills
Building a successful career in tech doesn’t mean being stuck behind a screen.
You’ll also need to be able to work confidently as part of a wider team – whether you’re working on the backend, on testing, UX, or anywhere else.
Another key part of the industry is being able to simplify tech talk to the wider business, who may not understand specific tech-based terminology.
So if you’ve worked well as part of a team before, your skills will definitely be in demand. Especially if demonstrated effectively as part of the application and interview process.
Suggested tech careers: Tech Support, Agile Coach.
Problem solving
This is perhaps the most vital skill for anyone looking for a career in tech.
You could be a Developer, coding a brand new app for your organisation and having to fix a broken bit of code. Or you could be an Ethical Hacker, navigating your way through a company’s network to find any signs of a weakness in the system.
Without the ability to solve complex problems, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to progress. At the very least, it’ll make it a lot harder to get ahead in the industry.
To get these skills across in your CV, try talking about a problem you’ve successfully solved in a previous role – and how doing so helped benefit the business.
Suggested tech careers: Developer, Ethical Hacker, Cyber Security Officer.
Time management
Whether your role is in-house, or you’re a contract freelancer working with a number of clients, you’ll need to deliver projects on time to meet expectations.
And it’s not just about the big picture. Meeting deadlines is a key part of almost every role in the tech industry – with many pieces of work on hold until other jobs are completed.
Ensuring things are delivered on time is also one of the reasons why a lot of tech companies employ agile techniques as part of their working practices.
Think about the times you’ve had to hit deadlines in past roles, or even whilst studying. And think about how you could translate these to any position you apply for.
Suggested tech careers: Coding, Scrum Master.
Creativity
Perhaps the most underrated skill for anyone working in a tech role is creativity.
In fact, it’s so underrated that it’s often forgotten when applying for roles. But being able to think creatively is vital for everything from software development and designing wireframes, right through to thinking of clever ways of coding.
There’s nothing wrong with being technically minded. But without the ability to come up with innovative ways to deliver the latest tech, you’re unlikely to get ahead. Not to mention progress.
So, whatever role it is you’re applying for, don’t be tempted to think inside-the-box when it comes to implementation.
Recruiters certainly won’t – and being able to demonstrate a soft skill such as creativity in your CV could just be the difference in whether or not you get the job.
Suggested tech careers: UX, UI, Software Developer.
Taking a tech course
Think you have the right skills to take on a career in tech? It might be time for a course.
Not only could getting the right qualification or certification help you kick on with your career goals, it’ll also help you really demonstrate your skills when you start applying for roles.
And it doesn’t have to cost the earth.
There are a wide range of tech-specific courses out there which are affordable, offer flexible learning hours, and don’t require any previous experience to get started.
So whether you want to learn to code, start a career in cyber security, or become a certified Ethical Hacker, there’s a course out there to suit you.
Why study with the Learning People?
The Learning People is one of the UK’s leading providers of IT and coding qualifications.
They partner with some of the biggest names in tech, including CompTIA and Cisco, and use their expertise to ensure your training is always up-to-date with the latest industry trends – meaning you develop skills that are actually in demand right now.
And, as all of the training they provide is industry recognised and delivered by expert tutors, you’re guaranteed to get dedicated support whilst you study.
Other benefits of studying with the Learning People include:
- They’re tech career experts
- 50,000+ students worldwide
- Alternative to traditional university education
- Most in-demand skills for today’s job market
- Award winning StudentCareTM
- Partnered with biggest accreditors in the world
- Exclusive student benefits; CV detox, NUS, industry events & more
To find out more about getting certified, talk to The Learning People today.
The Learning People are leaders in providing careers in tech, through professional online education; specialising in world-class certifications in coding, project management, IT, cyber security and digital marketing.
