Tips and Tricks For Your First IT Job Hunt
Entering the job market for the first time or attempting to break into a new position can be a frightening and stressful experience for the most hardened of IT job seekers. However, it can be particularly tough if you are fresh out of school with an ample amount of education, but little to no experience dealing with the day-to-day grind of your industry.
The question, in this case, is how do you catch the attention of a potential employer when you’re new to the IT field?
In this blog post, we provide you with some tips on how to get your name out there so that you’ll be the first name on an employer’s shortlist of potential IT candidates when a position opens up.
Get LinkedIn and Update it Regularly
Although you might roll your eyes and let out an exasperated sigh at the idea of having to manage yet another social media account, an up-to-date and professionally detailed LinkedIn profile is a key piece of the puzzle for job seekers.
This is particularly true if you have a unique area of expertise, as the majority of corporate and professional recruitment firms looking to fill technical or specialty roles utilize LinkedIn to fill these positions. Further, most HR departments rely heavily on LinkedIn during the hiring process to sort potential employees, manage job applications, or get in contact with a desirable candidate. If you’re not on LinkedIn, you’re essentially invisible to certain corporations.
Make sure to include: a professional and friendly photograph of yourself, all relevant job experience, and your education.
Attend Local Networking Events
Although the subject matter covered at many of these events is often ranging from the ubiquitous “ten ways to build your business” to the frequently discussed topic of social media, these events are absolutely essential in getting your name out there.
If you’re contemplating attending an event but feel that the topic or presenter is unrelated to your specific goals, please keep in mind that in many cases the presentation associated with the event is somewhat meaningless. The point of these functions is to meet people in your industry, exchange business cards, and develop connections.
If you’re on the job hunt full-time, it’s a good idea to search for networking events occurring in your city and attend as many as possible. Not only will it help you develop your networking skills and provide you with potential employment opportunities, but it will also help extinguish some of the tedium of ongoing unemployment.
Send Your Resume and Cover Letter to Your Dream IT Job Right Now
Tired of waiting for a position to open up at the tech firm, marketing agency, or International Corporation of your dreams?
We recommend sending in a resume with a cover letter indicating your interest in a position at the company, regardless of whether or not a job opening has been posted. Although it’s important not to sound too cloying or obsessive in your cover letter, you should include a message about how you are a fan of the company and would greatly appreciate the chance to work with them at some point in time.
Sending in a resume and cover letter early is a positive strategy for a number of reasons. First, it puts you on the employer’s radar. Second, it shows that you are uniquely interested in that particular firm. Finally, it shows a level of initiative that the employer will find attractive.
Looking to get your career moving in the IT space now? We have many open positions we can review with you. And if we don’t have the right fit now, you’ll be on our radar when something comes up. Don’t hesitate to connect with us.
Visit our Guide to Finding the Perfect Tech Job for more helpful articles like this one.