BlogJob SearchHow to Get a Job in Tech: Resume, Skills, and Networking Guide

How to Get a Job in Tech: Resume, Skills, and Networking Guide

technical resume

You can find a job in tech by deciding on the path you will take, developing the necessary hard and soft skills, creating a strong resume and portfolio, and searching for opportunities on job boards. To improve your chances, it is also helpful to establish a personal brand on professional platforms and prepare for technical interviews ahead of time. 

Companies in all industries are continuing and will continue to undergo digital transformations, so this field offers strong, steady career growth, attracting more and more job seekers. If you are looking to find a job in tech, this guide walks you through each step in detail. We will also touch on the top tech roles and provide tips to help you land the job of your dream. 

Key Takeaways

  • To find a job in tech, you should start by identifying your career path, building in-demand skills, and creating a strong resume and portfolio highlighting your competencies. 

  • Finding opportunities through job boards and leveraging professional platforms like LinkedIn for referrals are the next steps. 

  • Steps six and seven include preparing for technical interviews, following up after applications and interviews, and building your personal brand online. 

  • Some of the top tech roles you can consider include data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, cloud architects, AI engineers, web developers, and UX/UI designers.

  • To increase your chances of landing a job, you should review our resume examples to polish yours, write strong cover letters, and invest in upskilling and reskilling. 

How to Find a Job in Tech

To find a job in tech, follow these seven key steps: 

#1. Identify Your Tech Career Path

To begin a career in tech, you should explore the different paths you can take. Think about your work preferences, interests, strengths, and skills to narrow down on options. You can also look at real roles on free job search sites to get an idea of what opportunities are out there. 

Before committing, it helps to try out small tasks from the roles you are considering. For example, you can complete a short coding tutorial, run a simple SQL analysis, or design a mock app screen in a free tool. If you enjoy the process and want to keep going, that is a good sign the role could be a solid career path for you.

#2. Develop In-Demand Tech Skills

Once you have a particular path in mind, you will want to develop the skills needed to land a job. This includes basic technical skills and advanced software skills. You don't have to learn everything at once; just focus on one skill set, choose a structured learning resource, and practice consistently through small tasks and projects to avoid overwhelming yourself.

There are many options to develop in-demand skills, such as:

Resources for Learning New Skills

  • E-learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy

  • YouTube courses and creators 

  • Bootcamps

  • Blog articles and newsletters from tech thought leaders and companies

  • Webinars, workshops, and online networking events 

The skills and qualifications you need depend on the field you are in. You can look at job listings and descriptions to determine what employers are looking for. It is important to build both soft and hard skills that you can show on your application materials and in interviews. 

For example, here are some IT skills worth showcasing on your resume:

IT Skills for Resume

An effective IT career roadmap will guide you through all these competencies.

If you are writing a cybersecurity resume, these skills can help you stand out: 

Cybersecurity Skills for Resume

In a data analyst job application, you should focus on demonstrating your skills in data visualization, SQL, and problem-solving. In contrast, a software developer job guide will recommend sharpening skills like programming and debugging. 

#3. Build a Strong Tech Resume and Portfolio 

The next step to finding a job in tech is to show employers what you can do, and making a good resume and portfolio is the best way to do that. Your technical resume should highlight your skills, projects, and any hands-on experience you have, even if you’re self-taught.  

Most employers skim resumes in a few seconds, so it is important to keep yours clear, concise, and focused on the tools and tasks relevant to the position you are pursuing. In addition, you should quantify your achievements wherever possible, as measurable outcomes are more convincing.

For example, in your software engineer resume, you can mention that you improved a page’s load time by 35%, which reduced bounce rates by 50% and resulted in 3,500 more completed checkouts in the following month. 

Alongside your resume, a strong portfolio (preferably digital) allows you to demonstrate your competencies. In particular, it can help you find a job in tech with no experience because it shows employers real examples of your work that you created on your own and proves that you can apply your skills practically.

Your portfolio doesn’t need to include many projects; it just needs to convey your quality of work, problem-solving skills, and your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real, practical situations. Instead of explaining your skills in general terms, you can walk the interviewer through a project, describe your decisions, and show how you solved problems.

#4: Leverage Online Job Platforms and Networks 

In step four, you want to find roles that match your career goals and skills. Job boards let you do this effectively with search filters that narrow down opportunities by title, experience level, location, etc. 

You can look at LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. There are also tech-specific platforms such as TrueUp and Out in Tech. If you are looking for remote work, you can consider Remote.co, RemoteOK, Remotive, and NoDesk

Here are a few tech job search tips to keep in mind:

Job Search Tips

  • Set aside one day each week for browsing boards; this way, you can stay consistent and motivated while job searching

  • Save roles that match your interests/skills to revisit if you can’t submit applications to them right away; this also helps the platforms recommend better jobs for you 

  • Organize the roles you have applied for in a simple spreadsheet 

#5: Build Your Network 

Professional platforms and networks allow you to access more openings, connections, and information, so by leveraging them, you actively put yourself in front of opportunities.

The most popular option is LinkedIn, which has over 243 million members in the U.S. On here, you should start by creating a polished profile with keyword optimization and tailoring your alerts and notifications so as not to miss out on opportunities. 

Many tech roles are filled through referrals/recommendations, so networking on LinkedIn can open doors that job boards alone can’t. To improve your chances of finding a job, you should follow companies you are interested in, connect with other professionals and thought leaders, and participate actively in groups and communities.

#6: Prepare for Technical Interviews

Part of finding a job in IT, cybersecurity, or any other tech field is passing the technical interview. It assesses your practical skills and how well you can apply your knowledge to work through challenges in real time. 

The format of the interview depends on the position you are pursuing. For example, if you are looking to become a software engineer, you will be asked to complete coding tests. Data analysts might be tasked with SQL scenarios, and IT candidates might have to troubleshoot a technical issue. 

To prepare for technical interviews, you should review the core concepts for your role, then rehearse how to explain your thought processes and workflows. This helps interviewers grasp your competencies as well as cultural fit. 

#7: Follow Up and Build Your Personal Brand

After interviews or applications, you should follow up with a simple message like “Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about the role. I look forward to hearing back from you. In the meantime, please let me know if you need anything else from me!” 

Another way to stay top of mind with employers is by building a personal brand online. 67% of companies look at candidates’ LinkedIn profiles before extending an offer, so optimizing your profile and making sure it demonstrates your competencies in the best light reinforces your credibility.

Top 10 Tech Jobs You Should Consider

Here are the top 10 tech roles you can consider:

  1. Data scientists. With companies collecting more data than ever, data scientist skills are in high demand. The employment for this occupation is projected to grow 34% in the next decade, with the current median salary of $112,590 per year.

  2. Cybersecurity analysts. As cyber threats continue to rise, companies need cybersecurity analysts to protect their systems, networks, and sensitive data. The employment for this role is expected to grow 29%, with a current median annual salary of $124,910.

  3. DevOps engineers. The median salary for DevOps engineers is $142,000/year. Companies increasingly rely on these professionals to automate workflows and ensure systems run smoothly at scale.

  4. Cloud architects. This is among the highest-paying IT jobs, with a median salary of $199,000/year. As more companies migrate to cloud platforms, cloud architects are sought after for planning, implementing, and maintaining reliable cloud solutions.

  5. AI engineers. AI engineers build machine learning models and intelligent systems that automate processes and drive smarter business decisions. With salaries from $111,000 to $176,000/year, demand for professionals in this role is surging as companies across industries integrate AI to stay competitive. 

  6. Software engineers. Software engineers create applications, platforms, and tools that power businesses. With a median annual salary of $133,080, software engineers remain in steady demand because almost every product and service relies on well‑built software. Employment for this occupation is expected to grow 15% in the next decade.

  7. Web developer. Every business now needs an online presence, and they rely on web developers to make that possible. Skilled web developers earn a median salary of $95,380/year and ensure sites are functional, user‑friendly, and visually appealing.

  8. Data infrastructure engineer. Data infrastructure engineers manage systems that process large volumes of data, supporting analytics and intelligence initiatives that are becoming increasingly common across industries. Their salaries are typically between $104,000 and $164,000/year.

  9. UX/UI designer. UX/UI designers create intuitive interfaces that improve user experiences. With a median salary of around $103,000/year, their work is increasingly valued as companies focus on making products that prioritize accessibility. 

  10. IT systems administrators. Admins earn around $96,800/year and manage and maintain a company’s IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, and hardware. With growing reliance on technology in every business, this role remains in high demand.

 

4 Superb Tips for an Effective Job Search in Tech

Keep these four tips in mind for your tech job search:

  1. Review tech resume examples. Resume.co offers a collection of HR-approved resume examples you can browse to learn best practices and find inspiration for specific phrasing and wording. Then, it will be easy to write a resume that stands out to employers and highlights your professional skills in the most effective way.

  2. Write a cover letter to accompany your resume and portfolio. A well-written letter can elaborate on your competencies and make it easier for employers to determine your fit for the role. You can use our cover letter builder to create one easily. 

  3. Practice common interview questions. Aside from the technical interview, you will likely also need to complete a regular interview with questions like “Why do you want to work with us?” and “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Employers want to know if you can handle conflict and whether you are a team player, for instance. You can prepare by conducting mock interviews with a mentor, friend, or family member. 

  4. Invest in upskilling and reskilling to sharpen your skills. The tech industry is evolving rapidly, and there is a persistent shortage of skilled professionals in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Therefore, learning continuously through online courses, certifications, or bootcamps can make you more competitive. 

Closing Thoughts

Now that you know how to find a job in tech, you can start taking deliberate steps to land your ideal role. Remember to focus on showcasing your skills in a well-written resume and portfolio, and stay persistent. With patience and consistent effort (and a little help from our resume builder!), you will land the tech job you want in no time and build a rewarding career! 

How to Find a Job in Tech FAQs

#1. Is 35 too old to get into tech? 

35 is not too old to get into tech. Many people successfully switch careers later in life. You just need to build the right skills, commit yourself to continuous learning, and stay persistent.

#2. Is it hard to find a job in tech?

It is hard to find a job in tech because competition is high; however, it is achievable. Focusing on in-demand skills, building a strong portfolio, networking, and preparing for interviews increases your chances of landing a role that fits your career goals.

#3. What skills are most in demand for tech jobs in 2025? 

Some of the most in-demand skills for tech jobs in 2025 include programming in Python, Java, or JavaScript, cloud platform management, cybersecurity practices, machine learning and AI model development, and DevOps automation. 

#4. How do I create a tech resume that stands out?

To create a tech resume that stands out, you should highlight your skills, quantify your achievements, and use words and phrases that match the job description. Emphasizing your tech skills for a resume is especially important, as hiring is increasingly based on demonstrated abilities. 

#5. Should I include personal projects on my tech resume?

You can list personal projects on your tech resume if they're highly relevant, however, the full case study should be showcased in your portfolio. A portfolio allows you to display your work visually, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and provide tangible examples of what you can accomplish.

Sheila Kravitz
Sheila Kravitz
Content Writer & Head Editor
By day, Sheila Kravitz writes stellar content and works as a head editor. At night, she spends her time winning at trivia nights or playing Dungeons & Dragons with her friends. Whether she’s writing or editing, she gives her maximum effort and ensures no error gets past her watchful eyes. When she’s doing none of the above, Sheila likes to spend time with her cats and her partner, endlessly watching crime documentaries on Netflix.

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