How to get an IT job

To get an IT job you need to get the proper education, determine your area of specialization in IT, and gain professional experience. Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to successfully get a job in IT:

• Get the proper education

Your first step in getting a job in IT is to obtain the proper education. Many IT professionals have bachelors and/or master's degrees. Some appropriate majors include:

• Information Technology (IT)

• Computer Science

• Other related degrees

There are also other educational options, such as tech-based bootcamps, these can give you a fast crash course in certain tech fields. Tech bootcamps are also far cheaper (around $10,000) than most college degree programs.

• Determine your area of specialization in IT

IT is actually a very vast field. It consists of many different roles and areas of specialization. Determining what you want to specialize in can help inform you on the necessary education, training, experience, and certifications you might need in order to get a job. Some common specializations in IT include:

• Software development

• Cybersecurity

• Network engineering

• Data analysis

Research all IT areas of specialization to determine what best suits you personally.

• Gain professional experience

When fresh out of college, or just starting out, you are going to want to look for IT internship opportunities and entry-level roles. You can also seek to gain experience from working on freelance projects or personal projects. All of this is valuable as it can be included on your resume and in your work portfolio. You can then showcase these items to potential employers.

• Network

Use social media and professional career sites to reach out and make contact with IT professionals and companies. This can help you build a contact base and sometimes lead to job opportunities in the IT industry. You can also seek out tech industry events and career fairs where you know IT companies and recruiters will be present.

• Obtain professional certifications

Another strategy to help get you a job in IT, and also to advance your career in this field, is to obtain professional certifications. There are many different professional certifications that are relevant to the IT field, some have to do with specific technologies, while others have to do with particular software programs. Find the certifications that best apply to job goals.

Once you find a job listing in IT that fits your experience and interests you, make sure you go over all of the materials that you will be submitting. Remember, create a unique resume for each different IT position you might be applying to.

Since there are many different roles in IT, you should tailor your resume so that it fits all of the roles you might apply to. Highlight your important skills and experience as it applies to each role.

• Prepare for the interview process

Next, you should prepare for the interview questions you may receive. Search online for common IT interview questions.