Want to Work in Tech? Here’s Exactly How to Start
By
Liz Fujiwara
•
Aug 27, 2025
Want to break into tech? The industry is full of opportunities, but standing out requires strategy and preparation. The first step is identifying the role that best aligns with your interests and strengths, whether that is software engineering, data analysis, UX design, or another path. From there, you can build the right skill set through online courses, bootcamps, or self-guided learning, and demonstrate your abilities through hands-on projects. Networking is equally important, as connecting with professionals in the field can lead to mentorship and job opportunities. A strong portfolio will serve as proof of your capabilities and help you stand out from other candidates. This article will walk you through each of these steps and give you the tools and confidence to land your first job in tech.
Key Takeaways
The tech industry offers diverse entry points, with high demand for roles in coding, UX design, and digital marketing, making it an exciting time to pursue a career in technology.
Mastering both technical and soft skills is essential for success; combine programming knowledge with strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
Building a portfolio through internships, freelance work, and networking is crucial, as practical experience enhances your appeal to employers and opens doors to well-paying entry-level roles.
Understanding the Tech Industry
The tech industry is a vibrant and multifaceted field, encompassing roles in web development, marketing, robotics, and project management. Major entry points include computer science, big data, mobile app development, and UX design. With global demand for tech candidates, particularly in entry-level roles, now is an excellent time to dive in. Entry-level jobs span coding, cybersecurity, UX design, digital marketing, information technology, and IT support, offering a wide range of career paths.
Digitalization is driving growth within the tech industry, making it an exciting field to join. Companies are increasingly focused on diversity and inclusion, creating welcoming environments for talent from different backgrounds. Embracing greater racial and ethnic diversity leads to stronger financial performance and a more innovative workforce, reflecting the constant evolution of workplace dynamics.
The tech sector is becoming more diverse, with increased representation from underrepresented communities. This trend not only opens doors for many but also enriches the industry with varied perspectives and ideas.
Essential Skills for a Tech Career
Thriving in a tech career requires mastering both technical and soft skills. Key aspects include:
Strong communication skills for clear interactions and project alignment
Showcasing experience from previous roles to demonstrate soft skills to potential employers
Effective problem-solving using a logical framework to maximize available tools and team resources
Collaboration, since many projects require input from diverse teams
Technical skills form the backbone of any tech career. Important skills include:
Programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, C/C++, or PHP
Understanding operating systems
Knowledge of data science
Field-specific expertise
Time management and organizational skills to increase productivity in tech roles
Developing technical expertise can also increase effectiveness in these areas. Soft skills such as emotional intelligence and adaptability are equally vital for success. Practicing common behavioral interview questions helps you communicate your experiences and problem-solving skills effectively during job interviews. Managing your emotions and understanding those of others improves teamwork and workplace dynamics. By combining transferable skills with technical expertise, you become a well-rounded candidate for any tech role.
Steps to Start Your Tech Journey
Starting a tech career path involves multiple pathways that offer both flexibility and accessibility:
College training and internships with tech companies provide valuable educational routes
Self-directed or formal course training can equip you with essential skills
Many resources combine professional training, certification, and networking opportunities, enhancing accessibility
Relevant certifications and programs can significantly boost your job prospects, especially for entry-level positions. Organizations like Climb Hire offer skills training, hands-on experience, and dedicated support, which are essential for breaking into the tech industry. Starting a tech career without a degree or prior experience is possible, underscoring the industry’s accessibility.
Steps such as:
Signing up for a free course
Contacting a career advisor
Applying for internships
can help kickstart your tech career. Building skills and networking from scratch remains a viable way to enter the industry independently. With multiple pathways available, you have the flexibility to shape your own approach.
Online Courses and Certifications
Online courses provide the skills and experience needed for a successful tech career. Key points include:
Short tech courses focused on different areas help individuals explore various career paths within the industry
Platforms like freeCodeCamp offer accessible resources for learning technical skills, including free courses
Candidates should ensure the relevance of online courses to appeal to potential recruiters
Beginners should learn programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, C/C++, or PHP
Certifications like CompTIA A+ help establish a career in IT by validating foundational skills. Entry-level certifications such as CAPM and CISSP can also make candidates more attractive to employers.
Formal education, including coding boot camps, further refines skills and increases job prospects. IT certifications validate both knowledge and expertise, boosting overall appeal to employers.
Building a Portfolio
Building a portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills and experience to potential employers in the tech industry. Freelance work allows you to create a diverse portfolio that highlights a range of projects and abilities. Volunteering on tech-related projects provides valuable hands-on experience and helps you develop a professional network within the industry.
Contributing to open-source projects can further strengthen your coding skills and enhance your resume. A well-rounded portfolio demonstrates your ability to solve real-world problems and apply technical expertise effectively. It is a powerful tool in job applications and can set you apart from other candidates.
Networking and Mentorship
Networking is crucial for starting a tech career, as it helps you discover job opportunities and secure referrals. Engaging with the tech community and connecting with professionals is essential for building relationships. Newcomers can expand their network by attending job readiness training, participating in local events, and creating a strong LinkedIn profile.
An online presence is equally important, with 87% of hiring managers using LinkedIn to find candidates. Employers also search for talent through platforms like GitHub, making it valuable to showcase your work there. Networking at industry events can lead to meaningful connections and potential job referrals.
Building relationships with mentors provides guidance and long-term support throughout your career. Mentors share valuable insights, help navigate challenges, and open the door to new opportunities. This mentorship can be instrumental in achieving career goals and advancing in the tech industry.
Gaining Real-World Experience
Internships, volunteering, and training course projects provide valuable experience for entering the tech industry. Even unrelated work experience can showcase transferable skills and demonstrate your fit for tech roles. IT certifications further prepare you for entry-level positions. Together, diverse experiences and certifications create a well-rounded skill set for a successful tech career.
Real-world experience not only strengthens your resume but also builds confidence in your abilities. By working on actual projects, you gain insights into the industry’s demands and expectations, while developing new skills. This practical knowledge is invaluable when transitioning into a tech role.
Internships and Apprenticeships
Internships offer several key benefits and challenges:
Provide direct experience
Allow candidates to work on real projects
Significantly enhance resumes
Tech internships increasingly offer stipends to support students from lower-income backgrounds, promoting social mobility
Retention of top talent remains a challenge, requiring ongoing efforts to create inclusive workplaces
Internships and apprenticeships are important pathways for gaining practical experience and building valuable industry connections. These opportunities help develop technical skills and provide insights into workplace culture and professional expectations in the tech industry.
Freelance Projects
Freelancing provides practical experience by allowing you to work on real projects in the tech field. It is an excellent way to build a portfolio, gain diverse experience, and demonstrate the ability to manage and complete projects independently.
Freelance work also offers flexibility and the opportunity to explore different areas within the tech industry.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering for projects, participating in hackathons, and joining coding competitions are effective ways to build a tech portfolio. These experiences provide hands-on practice, allowing you to write code in real-world scenarios.
Volunteering also offers networking opportunities and the chance to collaborate with other tech professionals, further enhancing your job prospects.
Navigating the Job Search
Using online job boards focused on tech can make your job search more efficient. Platforms like LinkedIn are invaluable for networking and finding opportunities in the tech field. With thousands of entry-level tech jobs currently available, now is an opportune time to enter the industry.
Employers often value practical experience such as internships, which demonstrate a candidate’s ability to apply skills in real-world settings. Applying for internships can be competitive and typically requires relevant experience, skills, a strong resume, and professional contacts.
Tailoring Your Resume
Customizing your resume for each job application improves your chances of landing interviews. Incorporating keywords from the job description increases your relevance to recruiters and helps your resume pass applicant tracking systems. A tailored resume emphasizes your most relevant technical skills and demonstrates genuine interest in the position.
To tailor your resume effectively, focus on:
Your most relevant experiences and achievements
Highlighting specific skills that match the job description
Including any relevant certifications or projects
This targeted approach helps your resume stand out to hiring managers.
Crafting a Strong Cover Letter
A compelling cover letter should highlight the specific skills and experiences that align with the employer’s requirements. It should go beyond repeating your resume and tell a story about your passion for tech and how your experiences support the company’s goals.
Demonstrating enthusiasm for the role and showing how your skills meet the company’s needs can make a strong impression. A well-crafted cover letter sets you apart from other candidates and adds a personal touch to your application, which is especially important in a competitive job market.
Preparing for Interviews
Preparing for technical interviews by practicing common questions and coding challenges is essential. This preparation allows you to effectively demonstrate your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, practicing behavioral interview questions helps you communicate your experiences and soft skills during the interview.
Showcasing both technical and soft skills is crucial for a successful tech career. Demonstrating hands-on experience and the ability to work well with others makes you a more attractive candidate. This combination of skills is exactly what hiring managers look for when evaluating candidates for tech roles.
Remote Work Opportunities in Tech
The remote tech job market has expanded significantly, offering numerous positions across various fields. Entry-level remote tech roles are plentiful and actively hiring. Remote work provides flexibility that enhances work-life balance, allowing you to work from anywhere, making it an attractive option for many.
Remote work also allows better management of your schedule, which is particularly appealing for those new to the tech industry balancing other commitments. Effective time management and the use of productivity tools are essential for success in a remote work environment.
Entry-Level Remote Roles
Ideal remote roles for newcomers include IT support, quality assurance testing, and digital marketing positions. These technical roles provide accessible entry points for those starting in the tech industry. Other common entry-level remote positions include customer support and basic software development.
These roles offer a strong starting point for individuals looking to break into tech. They provide practical experience and opportunities to develop technical skills in a remote work environment, serving as a stepping stone to more advanced positions in the future.
Balancing Remote Work
Effective time management is crucial for remote workers to maintain productivity and a healthy work-life balance. Key strategies and tools include:
Using calendars and task managers to track deadlines and prioritize tasks efficiently
Setting clear working hours
Creating a dedicated workspace to enhance focus and output
Taking regular breaks, such as using the Pomodoro Technique, to maintain energy levels and prevent burnout
Incorporating these productivity techniques supports a more balanced and fulfilling remote work experience. Maintaining this balance is essential for long-term success and satisfaction in a remote tech career.
High-Paying Entry-Level Tech Jobs
In 2025, top-paying entry-level tech roles will include:
Cloud computing specialists, increasingly sought after as businesses rely more on cloud technology
Hands-on experience through real projects significantly enhances a candidate’s job prospects in the tech industry.
Companies Actively Hiring Tech Talent
Big companies are actively seeking entry-level tech talent and building pathways for beginners, providing valuable opportunities. LinkedIn offers a range of entry-level roles, including engineering positions and the Associate Product Builder program, which focuses on nurturing new talent. The Los Angeles Times invites entry-level candidates to help enhance their digital platforms, demonstrating their commitment to hiring emerging talent.
LinkedIn’s Strategy, Operations, and Analytics Rotational Program is designed to onboard entry-level talent into business roles.
Fonzi is a curated talent marketplace for artificial intelligence engineers, machine learning researchers, infrastructure engineers, and large language model specialists. Fonzi’s Match Day provides a high-signal, efficient way for candidates to connect with top-tier companies, transforming the recruitment process.
Want to Work in Tech? Here’s Exactly How to Start
Investigate various roles in the tech industry to identify those that align with your skills and aspirations. Create a shortlist of desired positions so you can focus your training and education accordingly. The demand for tech roles, particularly in software engineering and data analysis, is expected to grow significantly, with job security being a key benefit.
To help you get started, here is a well-formatted table outlining the key steps and resources:
Step | Description | Resources |
Investigate Roles | Research various tech roles to find your fit | Online resources, career advisors |
Create a Shortlist | Narrow down your desired positions | Job boards, networking opportunities |
Focus Training | Take relevant courses and obtain certifications | freeCodeCamp, coding bootcamps, IT certifications |
Build a Portfolio | Showcase your skills through projects and freelance work | GitHub, open-source projects, volunteer opportunities |
Network and Find Mentors | Connect with industry professionals and find mentors | LinkedIn, industry events, job readiness training |
Gain Real-World Experience | Participate in internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer projects | Internship programs, hackathons, coding competitions |
Tailor Resumes and Cover Letters | Customize applications to highlight relevant skills and experiences | Job descriptions, applicant tracking systems |
Prepare for Interviews | Practice technical and behavioral interview questions | Coding challenges, mock interviews |
Explore Remote Work | Look for remote job opportunities and manage time effectively | Remote job boards, productivity tools |
This table offers a clear roadmap for starting your tech career. By following these steps, you can navigate the tech industry with confidence and build a successful career on a solid path.
Summary
Embarking on a tech career is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for growth and innovation. Understanding the industry, developing essential skills, and taking actionable steps are crucial for success. Gaining real-world experience, navigating the job search, and exploring remote work opportunities can significantly enhance your prospects.
The tech industry offers high-paying entry-level roles, and companies are actively hiring new talent. By investigating roles, focusing your training, building a portfolio, networking, and tailoring your job applications, you can successfully enter the tech field. With growing demand for tech roles, the right approach can help you secure a fulfilling and prosperous career in technology.
