Tips for a career change to IT

As the IT sector continues to expand, IT hiring managers are increasingly looking for people from non-IT backgrounds to meet the changing needs of the industry.

Professionals with experience outside technical IT roles are now presented with exciting opportunities to change career and move into a dynamic and changing industry.

For those looking to enter the field, finding your niche and marketing your skill set in the right way will be crucial to a successful career move.

Key considerations:

Your talents and interests

First and foremost, think about where your talents lie and what area of IT will keep you most engaged.

Do you like engaging with stakeholders often? Are you a technical person? Do you enjoy methodical tasks or rapidly changing environments?

IT lends itself to a wide range of professions and specialism, from design roles all the way through to data security. Things you should consider include:

• Area of IT you are most passionate about
• Your current skill set
• The type of organisation you would like to work in

Training

Although you will need a preliminary background in using technology, not having a specific IT qualification should not be a barrier.

Businesses and training colleges offer many training options which can help you make the switch. A common avenue for people to gain a qualification in IT is to undertake a Master’s degree, despite having transitioned from another initial line of study.

Marketing your non-IT skills

Moving into IT from another profession is often viewed favourably by potential employers, particularly if you’ve had the chance to build up valuable skills which are relatively rare in the IT profession.

This may change across different businesses; however some of the most commonly cited examples include business partnering, project coordination and communication skills.

Social media and networking

When you have your qualifications and you’re clear about the area of IT you would like to move in to, networking is the next step.

Make sure you maximise your existing connections as well as increase your engagement in professional associations and social media. This could be the key influencing factor to get you into your new role.