Modern employment options don’t offer the kind of career stability that we once enjoyed. Today it’s easier to lose your job due to unforeseen circumstances such as abrupt restructuring and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
A mid-career transition into tech is beneficial because your expertise will be in demand for decades. Coding and other technology skills give you an edge, no matter your current job. These tips will help you make a successful career change:
1. Have A Transition Plan
Have plausible reasons for switching careers. Do you want a new job in the same department, a new career in a different field but using the same skills, or a completely new job in a new industry?
Once you’ve made this decision, create a plan towards achieving your objective. Start by identifying your current skills and how you can apply them to your new career.
Next, pinpoint the additional skills you’ll need to be competitive. You might have to sign up for a part-time course. Institutions such as the Community College of Denver equip you with coding and cybersecurity certifications in 12 to 14 weeks.
2. Be Realistic About Your Chances of Success
Although you might be excited about a new tech career, the truth is that not everyone can experience success. Are you passionate about the job you’re transitioning to, or are you just doing it for money?
Passion improves your chances because it keeps you going even when you feel like giving up. By learning new skills while still in your current employment, you’ll have a safe fallback plan in case things don’t work as expected.
3. Polish Your Transitional Skills
Updating your resume with newly acquired tech skills is one way of improving your career prospects. Another benefit is that you already have a network to lean on for support. You’re more likely to get employment in your targeted field if you share with your colleagues, friends, and acquaintances.
If you’ve been an outstanding employee in your current job, HR will be more accommodating towards a switch within the same organization. Other valuable tips include familiarizing yourself with the jargon used in your new career and studying industry-specific interview procedures.
4. Look for A Crossover Job
You already have strengths and transferable skills that are applicable in a variety of fields. Your financial expertise can work in data analysis, while communication and administrative skills are suitable for project management.
Mobile development skills can work in careers such as software engineering, web development, and software architecture.
Even if your current position is not tech-heavy, you can still learn HTML, CSS, and other popular courses. It allows you to start with simple tasks as you gain more confidence and expertise to pursue more challenging prospects.
These entry-level skills act as a bridge towards your desired technology career. Your personality also plays an important role. Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert, there’s always an appropriate transition opportunity.
5. Be Decisive
Although some might correctly advise you to take a slow but sure pace, it’s easy to get stuck in your current employment. Most employees are nervous about career changes, even when they’re guaranteed better opportunities.
If you keep waiting for the ideal moment to make a career switch, it might never happen. In some instances, you might have to take an initial pay cut to get a job with brighter prospects. Push aside your fears by interacting with people who already do the job you’re targeting.
Ask them for tips on what to expect. Once you make up your mind, don’t drag the switch. It’s advisable to transition to your new career within a year of perfecting the necessary skills.
6. Build A Portfolio
You might have a shiny resume, but a portfolio will do a better job of convincing prospective employers. As you gain tech skills, create a collection of practical work samples, websites, and codes. Try to clone existing apps and other tech products as a way of honing your skills. Remember to add links to these samples in your resume.
7. Test Your New Skills
One of the fundamentals of tech-based careers is the knowledge of object-oriented programming languages. The most popular are C++, Python, Java, and JavaScript. Test your newly acquired knowledge regularly before applying for an entry-level position.
As you do so, you’ll gain additional skills in removing bugs and fine-tuning your coding expertise. Online resources such as GitHub and Stack Overflow also help you polish your skills.
By following the above tips, you’ll have a smooth transition to your new tech career. Once you understand the basics of coding and associated courses, you’ll have an easier time adapting to innovations in the technology industry. If you continuously update your skills, you’ll always have the chance to switch to the world’s most sought-after employment opportunities.
