How to break into the tech industry In Africa

Securing employment in the technology sector is notoriously difficult, as you may well know if you’ve ever tried.

Tech companies, even at the entry level, have extremely high expectations for their employees due to the industry’s notably competitive nature. Discouragement is easy to come by.

Fortunately, this article will show you how to increase your chances in a number of different ways. You have to put in the work, but the effort you put in now will pay off in the end.

Choose a niche

In the technology industry, you can find a job that fits your personality and your aspirations. Enjoy solving problems? You might find great success in web development. Do you have an abundance of imagination and a passion for aesthetics? See what’s new in web design! Is blogging amazing for you? Then content marketing could be right up your alley.

Alternatively, perhaps even WordPress development! Social media, email, and content marketing are all parts of inbound marketing, so it could be a good match for you if you’re very outgoing.

Get technical skills

Now that you have identified your niche, acquiring the technical expertise required for success in the tech industry is the initial stage towards securing employment in this field.

Data science, analytics, software engineering, digital marketing, project management, and programming skills could fall into this category. Research, conversations with experts in the field, and reading reputable technical journals, newsletters, or websites are all great ways to build and hone these abilities.

If you want to know what skills are necessary and how people in the tech industry use them on the job, you should study them.

Get a mentor

Mentors offer invaluable assistance to mentees in the form of expert advice, insight into specific fields, and practical experience, all of which can help mentees advance in their careers. You can find many mentors who are willing to lend you their wisdom and experience as you pursue a rewarding career in technology.

These people can provide you with invaluable insight and point you in the right direction. Look for a mentor who is receptive to new ideas and willing to accept different opinions. With these traits, you and your mentor can work together to learn and improve your relationship and abilities.

Establish a strong network of professionals

You can expand your professional network in the tech industry by making connections with people who share your interests. One surefire way to meet more people in the tech industry is to attend local conferences, post on tech forums, and network with professionals in your area.

Because they provide chances to work with others and gather useful industry information like job listings, resume advice, and tips from seasoned individuals, these introductions can be crucial in securing a career in technology.

Get certified

A bachelor’s degree isn’t strictly necessary for entry-level tech positions, but it can increase your marketability to companies in the sector. Certifications in fields such as data security, engineering, and project management are available through a number of college-based vocational programs.

If you want to advance in your career, you should look into various schools and websites to find out what kinds of degrees, certifications, and intensive training programs are available.

Prepare an excellent resume

Before you apply for a job in the tech industry, make sure you read the job description thoroughly. The role’s essential functions and requirements can be better grasped with this information. More than that, it lets you tailor your résumé to the specific needs of hiring managers.

To stand out from the crowd, tailor your resume to each position you apply for because every company, position, and hiring process is different. Think about highlighting your familiarity with certain tools, programs, and abilities on your resume. Including relevant keywords in your resume can improve its chances of being selected for further review by companies that use resume scanning programs.

Search for current job openings

Consider looking at active job listings to see what jobs are currently open. By doing so, you can learn more about the many jobs in the tech industry and perhaps zero in on the subfields that most pique your interest.

You can also talk to people already working in the field to get a feel of the day-to-day tasks and skill sets required for each position. This will help you decide if you want to pursue a career in that field.

Take classes online

Skills like programming, coding, and software development are in high demand in the tech industry, and there are online programs that can teach you these and more. You can learn at your own speed and acquire new skills with these self-paced programs; what’s more, many of them offer certifications that can set you apart from other applicants.

Online courses can help you gain an edge in the tech job market, even if you don’t have any relevant work experience by teaching you the fundamentals.

Find your unique selling point

Many tech companies are hiring for non-technical roles in areas such as sales development, product marketing, and human resources to keep up with the ever-shifting tech industry. Even candidates without a background in technology can offer fresh insights into how they interact with devices.

Think about highlighting your strong interpersonal and communication skills on your resume when you apply for jobs; hiring managers are looking for people who can foster a collaborative work environment and boost project efficiency.

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Investigate new technology startups

Qualified individuals with marketable skills and excellent communication abilities are typically sought after by startup companies, which tend to disregard traditional job requirements in favour of training and candidate potential.

You can be a perfect fit for many tech startup companies with these skills and a little technical experience. To hone your technical abilities, obtain practical experience in your field, and stand out to hiring managers at startups, you might want to look into internships or seek out a mentor.

Highlight your individual strengths

You can set yourself apart from other applicants for tech jobs by highlighting your unique set of skills in your application. One way to boost your resume and catch the attention of potential employers is to highlight your non-technical qualities, such as drive, determination, and perseverance.

To further demonstrate your value to hiring managers, you can highlight your general soft skills, such as problem-solving, adaptability, and rapid learning.