AIBU it's nearly impossible to break into IT industry if you don't have previous experience?

[jobsearching2024]

I'm a project manager working in engineering/manufacturing. I want to switch to IT as it's easier to commute to London where most of the IT sector jobs are offered and would appreciate flexible hybrid working hours which is very common in IT.

But since I started looking at the job boards on several websites, nearly every single job post in IT requires:

• either experiences in software development
• or certain particular technology/software/platform, some specific skills

I just don't see how it's possible even to be considered for a chance. Am I wrong?

I'm very capable in what I'm doing in my current industry. But even with the experience to manage technical (engineering) contents, I can't see how I could even go through the first stage screening just by key words and the lack of those particular skills.

Thinking back previous job hunting experiences, I often had similar impression. The particular "basic requirements" are very specific to meet unless you are already at that level within that environment. It seems more so in the IT.

My understanding is that maybe the talent pool in IT is vast and people constantly move around. So maybe because of this, the employers are always able to find enough right candidates who meet those criteria?

Stretching the truth can be an option to reach the interview stage. But then what? If I don't have the experience, then I don't. I feel very uncomfortable to bend the truth. But then for all those jobs out there, are all viable applicants good matches?

I know someone who did. At the interview they said, ‘we only called you to interview as you have no IT experience at all and we wondered why you applied’. He said, ‘because what I do have is extensive customer service experience which I bet you are lacking, and I reckon you can teach me the IT side.’
And they gave him the job.

@forgotmyname1000times Funny, that's pretty much how I got my first job working in an engineering company without any technical background. 😉

@ThisOpalCritic , it's very interesting to hear all this. Thank you.

The fast pace in IT could easily result in what you said. And the market/the customers are not always sure or even have an vague clue what they really NEED. Lots of hype in the field.

It's hard to keep principle these days. Even in manufacturing/engineering. Company performance is measured monthly/quarterly/annually, but rarely enough focus on beyond 2 years. That drives a completely set of behaviours not in favour of "principles".

I learned it in the hard way to be modest with what I express and I am still trying to find the balance.

Thanks again to everyone. All good advices and sharing. I took notes and will give the whole idea a proper thought tomorrow.

I'm an IT PM and where I work IT experience isn't needed, most IT projects are not very technical in my experience so maybe it's a case of finding the right company? Good luck!

Sometimes to shift to a different industry you need to go down 10k in salary and then find a job that you know if you perform you will then go up quickly. I have done this three times. You only know your worth, you need to prove it.
Or get a decent recruiter.

forgive my ignorance but what actually is an "IT" role? I'm a programmer but wouldn't necessarily say I work in IT.

Try and apply but I think it would be deathly full, agiles is boring and endless, most IT development also both as nothing ever gets done it would seem! You could try working for university or something like that, salary may be lower but techy projects to get involved with.

I'd say roles like programmer, DBA, sysadmin, networks, storage, cyber security, application support, even desktops* are IT. Then related roles - business analysis, project management, data analysis, UX, testing... it's a very wide field these days.

• I'm a Unix sys admin. I have to look down on Windows support. It's a key part of the role. 😉

Currently in the middle of daily unix vs windows tiffs (working on automatic server patching and backups) , it's hilarious!

@r0sep3tal I don't think people in the field consider PM's or programmers 'IT',
https://www.teamblind.com/post/IT-vs-Tech-tDrBnVhO
Many people I know would bristle at being referred to as 'IT' employees they use the word 'tech' instead. Developing software for business operations is their erm 'superior' role as opposed to the base infrastructure that allows the org to function such as networks, servers, email, etc.

To the general public however this is all 'IT'.

Ok, 25 years in IT here.

Here's the brief version of my advice, as I'm on my phone and it's not practical to type a massive reply!

1. Forget Agile. Nobody ever gets the methodology right. Some companies add unnecessary nonsense, others treat it like a religion. Both are wrong.
2. Forget Product Management. You don't have the skills or experience for that.
3. Project Management for software development is super repetitive. You may like that, you may not. For me, endless sprint cycles are really boring.

I have an idea for you that has a lower barrier to entry. Why not look at Project Management in the cyber security industry. There are loads of MSSP's (Managed Security Service Providers), who have to implement their software and services into customer environments. This is IT-adjacent, but will allow you to flex your more traditional PM muscles.

Also, the cyber security industry is where IT was 15 years ago. It's a goldmine - you can make serious money and make a name for yourself quite quickly.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have, having made the jump to cyber last February.