Building Your Tech Career in 2021

One thing is certain; this pandemic has changed the tech industry. Businesses have undergone rapid digital transformation and expectations of technology – and tech professionals – have changed.

Whether you are a veteran in the tech space or are about to begin your career in the industry, we’ve listed some valuable things to consider to help you build your tech career in this changed environment.

Build Your Brand

One way to ensure that your network associate you with the area of tech you specialise in is to build your brand. This might not happen instantly, but it will be beneficial.

Given that most jobs are filled through networking a fundamental aspect of building your brand is making use of your network. Connecting with people in the industry will help you to build your brand and establish yourself as a thought-leader within a specific area of tech. Diversify your network; don’t just connect with people you know as this won’t help you to progress in your career.

A great example of building your brand is to associate your name with the area of tech you work in. This reinforces to your connections and potential employers which area you focus on.

Don’t Discount Remote Opportunities

This pandemic has proven that many roles, particularly in the tech industry, can be done remotely.

As organisations increase the number of remote roles they offer, being open to this opportunity will help to increase the roles that are available to you. Working remotely also enables you to have increased flexibility around where you work.

Develop Your Skillset

Before starting out in your tech career it is important, now more than ever, to analyse the industry and ascertain which skills are most in demand.

The pandemic has caused many businesses to accelerate their digital transformation strategies – one study finds – by 5.3 years. Alongside this rapid adoption of digital technologies, a global survey by McKinsey & Company indicates that the changes companies have made as a result of COVID-19 with regard to digital transformation are here for the long-run.

It is therefore crucial to consider the predictions and expectations for the industry and work towards building your skillset in those areas. This will help you to stand out from the crowd when applying for roles as you will have the skills that organisations require going forward.

Set Pragmatic Goals

Whilst many companies have realised the significance of technology in order to run and thrive as a business in this time, it is still important to set pragmatic goals.

This will help to manage expectations. As this year has proven, times are very unpredictable at the moment, so setting pragmatic goals will help you to set goals that you know can be achieved, even during a pandemic. Setting small, realistic goals will help you get that step closer to where you want to be in your career.

Check out our previous blog on how to maintain motivation during your job search here.

Are you a talented tech professional looking for your next challenge? Speak to our specialist consultants today!