Getting a job in tech with no experience

[lap90]

Hi,

Early 30's and thinking about a change in career into the tech industry. However, I have no experience.

I am willing to learn alongside my current full time job. There are lots of course out there both free and paid and it's hard to know where to start.

Some of these coding camps and the like claim that after completion of the course, one will end up with the necessary skills to then apply for software dev jobs (for example).

I guess I want to know, realistically, how does it work for someone with a non tech background on completion of 'bootcamp'/courses.
What are the job prospects really like?

The course you can take and may we'll complete

As someone who works in tech in a non tech role... Your propects of getting g a job at a FAANG type company would be poor/none. You will be up against people who have been coding from a young age at a high level across an international platform. Most of the eng i work with are from BRIC countries or UK guys who have been doing this since they were 12.

I would suggest doing the course if its what you want to do but combining with current skillsets... a sideways entry as a TPM or PM would likely be possible assuming you had the right background from current role. You can then learn within the company and if you excel in role you can go for an internal transfer to pure emg type roles.

I would say your best bet is entry via non

Try a free coding course and see how you get on. Some people love it, others struggle and previous track record doesn't predict how you'll get on

The government is funding skills bootcamps, some focused on tech, I think most if not all offer a guaranteed interview on completion. Worth a look OP!
www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-a-skills-bootcamp/list-of-skills-bootcamps

Also check out Sky's 'women in tech' program, and the Freecodecamp and Code First Girls websites for free courses.

What do you do now. There are many roles in IT that aren't quite so 'techy'. If for example you are in finance you could move into a more project based functional role and develop from there.

Same would work for other roles if you are currently in a big company. See if they are any projects relate to system rollouts and try and get involved.

@CurtainTroubles Thanks, admittedly I had overlooked apprenticeships. I was of the (wrong) impression that I wasn't eligible due to having a degree.

Many thanks @ticktockriojaoclock, i'll look into the gov funded bootcamps. I registered with Code First Girls yesterday.

Thanks @Newnormal99 - i'm in a Policy role.

Hi OP. Am in a head of role in a tech company. Am actually non technical myself. Been in the industry 20 years.

You mention tech but then only mention coding. Tech is a huge field. If its coding you want then its software development companies you need to target. There is a lot more to tech then that.

The market is on fire as PP said. So its a good time to try and break in. Depending on what skills you have a support desk position in a tech company can be a good entry point for someone with tech interests and strong customer service background. From here horizontal movement is quite common into entry level dev or test roles as you have picked up the domain knowledge in support.

Alternatively if you can prove logical thinking, attention to detail, proof reading, problem solving skills then an entry level position as a tester if also possible with no tech skills. You can also prep for this online or with courses. Again once in if you want to learn coding-then horizontal movement is possible. Most tech companies provide training and resources. And loads of cool people around you to learn from.

Coding is not our of the question. Entry level positions tend to be taken up by more computer science grad types and as PP said people coding since 12. But i like diversity in the workplace and id interview a mature candidate if I felt they had the potential. As well as your developing coding skills id need you to sell me the skills from your previous experience that are transferrable. Examples of logical thinking and problem solving and innovation and process improvement and attention to detail. Things like that.

If you are in a policy role now, have you thought about shifting sideways into cyber security policy or data privacy. All large companies now need data officers and it's a way to get a foot in the door.

From there, you could move across to project management etc.

Some companies are actively trying to recruit more women by offering "returnships" in tech. Also you can do an apprenticeship if it's in a different field to your current qualifications. It can be easier to get a role in a large company and then move sideways.