As the Australian tech industry continues to grow, the ongoing demand for tech talent coupled with the attractive salaries we have seen over the last few years has made a career in tech quite a promising path for many. It is an industry known to be one of opportunity and growth potential, with many different sectors and levels providing employees, both present and future, the chance to grow their knowledge and abilities. But where do you start when trying to launch your career in tech?

Whether you are the new kid on the block, a tech buff wanting to go pro, or a recent tech graduate, below are some tips and advice to help improve your job hunting pursuits within the tech space:

1. Understand the industry
   Taking time to research and understand what is currently happening in the tech industry is important. It shows that you have taken the initiative to learn the trends of the industry, something that is constantly changing and allows you to provide more meaningful and relevant examples on your resume and in interviews when drawing upon your own experience and skill set.
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2. Understand the company where you are applying
   Make sure to do some research on the company you are interviewing with before the interview. Many hiring managers want to know that you understand and are familiar with what their organisation is about. By doing this research ahead of time you will be able to answer questions such as ‘what made you apply with our company?’ or questions specifically related to the processes of their business with confidence.
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3. Build on your transferable ‘soft skills’
   Finding a job in tech doesn’t just come down to your industry-specific skills. Having ‘soft skills’ that are transferable to the role you are applying for is a major drawcard. Hiring managers are trying to find people who are the right ‘fit’ for the role and for their company, and this often includes core competencies such as communication, stakeholder management, interpersonal skills, and attitude towards business.
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4. Exposure, exposure, exposure
   Working within the industry, whether that be in an internship, volunteering or freelancing position, is a great potential point of entry to begin a career in tech. It can help you to build connections, acquire on-the-job skills, build your knowledge of the industry, and help to build your portfolio with real industry experience to show a hiring manager.
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5. Build your network and join networking groups
   By joining networking groups with people with similar interests, it will provide you the opportunity to learn from the professionals, ask questions about the industry and current trends, attend networking events, find an industry mentor, and even get your foot in the door with a new role. You can identify companies you would like to work and add managers on LinkedIn; CTO, Engineering Managers, VP of Engineering, Tech leads etc.
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6. Take supplemental courses
   Technology is constantly progressing and there is always something new to learn. Improve your chances of landing a role in tech by seeking out new and different skills to acquire, trends you should be familiar with, and certifications you can earn. This will communicate to a hiring manager that you not only have a strong knowledge of the industry, but also demonstrates your willingness to learn and adapt - an essential in the tech industry.
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7. Customise your resume
   Every role, hiring manager, and organisation is different and they all want different things. It is important to read over the job description of the role you are applying for and customise your resume to this to ensure you are ticking all of the right boxes for that particular application.