How to Land Your First Tech Role: A Beginner's and Career Switchers' Guide
Thinking about switching to tech?
CFG Ambassador, Sruti shares her journey from marketing to full-stack development and landing a tech job through the CFGdegree.
I’m Sruti! In Autumn 2024, I completed the CFGdegree Full-Stack stream after becoming interested in web development. While I enjoyed my previous role in Marketing, I realised I wanted to learn more technical skills that both challenged me and allowed me to explore my creativity.
My tech journey so far has taken me through a mix of strengths-based and technical interviews, each one teaching me something new. Along the way, I’ve picked up valuable insights that I wish I’d known starting out. I’m sharing my top takeaways here in the hopes that they’ll help other career switchers feel more confident and prepared as they navigate their path to landing that first tech role.
How to find the right tech role for you
Many people don’t realise how many different opportunities there are within tech. While plenty of tech roles involve developing software or becoming a data scientist, tech also requires people in areas such as product management, which demands soft skills like leadership and business strategy. Discover the many pathways into tech with these helpful career-focused blog posts.
Not sure where to begin? Start with these three simple questions to help point you in the right direction:
What are your interests?
On average, we spend about one-third of our lives working, so you may as well enjoy it! The great thing about a career in tech is that it is so varied and can tick more of your interests than you may realise. Do you have a knack for numbers? Are you a creative whizz? Do you love problem-solving? Read job descriptions in your chosen field to understand the day-to-day of the role and note what appeals to you and what doesn’t.
What would your ideal job look like?
Often, we can get so caught up in trying to secure a job that we lose sight of what’s important to us. Prefer an office to working at home? Love to travel? Thrive in a fast-paced startup environment? Spend a few moments thinking about what’s right for you and what career pathways can offer that.
On average, we spend about one-third of our lives working, so you may as well enjoy it! The great thing about a career in tech is that it is so varied and can tick more of your interests than you may realise.
What transferable skills do you have?
You might be surprised by how valuable your transferable skills can be when transitioning into a tech role. For example, a former teacher could bring strong leadership and communication skills to a product management position, while a graphic designer’s eye for creativity and detail can shine in front-end development. Your past experience isn’t a setback, it’s a unique strength that can set you apart.
It’s very possible (and common!) for someone with no previous technical experience to become a software developer as long as they put the work in to upskill. Start using free resources and courses such as Code First Girls Tech Tasters or Coding Kickstarter Classes to learn skills within your area of interest.
Securing a tech role with the CFGdegree
While many roles require some tech experience, Code First Girls’ CFGdegree is a unique and incredible opportunity for those with no tech experience to transition into a tech role. When applications open throughout the year, candidates can find and apply for tech roles with industry-leading sponsors and go on to receive fully-funded training with the CFGdegree, before starting their new role. If that sounds like it could be for you, you can read more about the CFGdegree here.
TOP TIPS FOR YOUR CFGDEGREE APPLICATION
The first round of a CFGdegree application comes in a few different stages.
Firstly, the application form, in which you’ll be asked questions to assess your suitability and could also be asked to submit your CV. You’ll then move on to a tech assessment, which will help determine if you’re ready to take on the CFGdegree.
Upon passing, it’s time for a short video interview! You’ll be asked to answer a few questions, but don’t worry, you get a chance to re-record if you’re not completely happy. Here are some top tips for that process:
- Leverage your transferrable skills
Explain how they will help you in your new role and what you can bring to the team. Don’t forget to mention relevant soft skills you have accumulated over the years, e.g. working with various stakeholders or managing projects
- Talk about your motivation for applying and why you’ve chosen that particular sponsor
Organisations will always look to see if a new hire is a good ‘culture fit’. Here are some questions to think about: Why would you be proud to work for this company? What can you find out about their company culture on their website, e.g. D&I support groups? Have they been involved in any positive initiatives that are in the news/on their LinkedIn page? What’s motivated you to get into tech? Why the CFGdegree?
- Tailor your CV
Take a few moments to review your CV (or ask someone else to take a look for you) and tailor it to your application. They aren’t looking for perfection, just to learn a bit more about you!
- Prepare for your video interview
As part of the CFGdegree application process, you’ll be asked to do a video interview. Try to avoid reading pre-written answers from a screen and instead take a moment to think about the questions you’re asked and don’t be afraid to make a mistake – after all we’re only human! Facial expressions, hand gestures and eye contact are all crucial to effective communication. Learning a few key bullet points and practicing your delivery in front of a mirror is the best way to ensure your answers sound natural and genuine.
Upon passing the video interview, you’ll be invited to meet with your chosen sponsor in a ‘company interview’. To learn more about how to prep for a successful interview, read our blog post with top tips to ace your interview here.
Take a few moments to review your CV (or ask someone else to take a look for you) and tailor it to your application. They aren’t looking for perfection, just to learn a bit more about you!
CONCLUSION
Although switching to a tech career is not easy within a competitive job market, it is certainly achievable. Take advantage of all the resources you can to upskill, prepare yourself well and keep those positive affirmations going! As always, make sure to check out all of Code First Girls’ free coding courses to help boost your knowledge (and you chances!), as well as all the incredible entry-level job opportunities available with the CFGdegree.
