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Looking for a new career in technology? With a broad range of specialisations available, a career path in this industry can be highly rewarding both materially and intellectually.

Technology is renowned for its continued growth and job prospects have stayed strong. As ACS Australia research shows, the national tech workforce will grow by more than 330,000 people by 2027, representing an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. A career path in this arena will likely take you to places that haven’t been imagined yet.

So, how do you best position yourself in this dynamic and fast-moving field? Whether you have already begun your career or are looking for pointers while hunting for a new job, here is some career advice to help you achieve success.

Be Hungry to Learn

A love of learning, which will serve you well in any career, is a vital trait in technology fields. In this space, learning is a continuous process – not something that ends with a degree. You may even find yourself returning to study or training as a mature adult.

Virtually all tech jobs involve staying up to date about how platforms, hardware and services are evolving. Curiosity and the ability to learn new things will make you more agile at work, which makes you a more desirable candidate for a job. You will be able to see what is around the corner in terms of industry trends, product developments and other market forces.

Keep ahead of the learning curve by subscribing to industry news and blogs and following thought leaders on social media. Pay attention to the challenges businesses and consumers are facing and how organisations are responding to those. Most of all, ask questions to those who are more senior than you!

Take Initiative

Personal initiative is a stand-out quality in CVs and job interviews. Having a can-do attitude demonstrates you’re able to look for new solutions, work without supervision and able to lead others.

Whether the situation calls for spotting a new cyber threat, a new perspective on a UX design, or quickly learning a new methodology for a project, being driven to achieve results will help propel your career.

Ways you can show your motivation, passion and resourcefulness might include working on a personal project related to your professional goals, spending a few years developing a technical speciality, or volunteering.

Learn the Art of Networking

Talent and hard work can get you far, but social connections are often a critical piece of the career puzzle. Even if the thought of networking makes you nervous, making the effort can open doors to endless opportunities.

Online communities, professional organisations, industry conferences and trade shows can be rich sources of job leads, career advice and friendships. Interacting with people who work outside of your domain can broaden your horizons even further.

For those aiming for a new career in technology, finding a mentor can be a wise move. Aside from tapping into their elder’s wisdom, mentors can help you open new doors and introduce you to people who will impact your career.

When you are new to the industry and don't yet have a large professional network, working with a technology and digital recruitment agency can help you to get your foot in the door. Recruiters work with a range of employers they can introduce you to, which can make up for your lack of network.

Work on Your Communication Skills

The ability to explain technical subjects to a colleague or customer who is not working in the same field is just as important as honing your knowledge. As you move upwards into more senior roles, working on your communication skills should be a priority.

As a cyber security professional, you will be interacting with people in all areas of the business to detect and combat threats. Working as a Front-End Developer, you may find yourself in a DevOps team where you collaborate daily with non-technical colleagues.

Writing emails well, taking and giving instructions, being a good listener and conversing with executives are just some examples where strong communication skills will help you to shine. To brush up on your written or verbal skills, consider taking a short course that will give you the polish and confidence you need.

Wear Your Professionalism with Pride

Professionalism is no less important than any of the other skills you bring to a tech role. Managers want to hire people who are punctual, have good etiquette, integrity, accountability and stay calm under pressure.

Remember, your social media presence is also your professional calling card. Be mindful of the image you project on your profiles. Social media is a great avenue for showing what you’re passionate about at work – use it to your advantage.

Summary

Technology is the perfect field for curious, passionate and industrious people. While technical knowledge is the foundation of many careers in this field, people skills are just as vital for professional success. Be willing to learn from others and make as many connections as possible – and don’t forget the basics of good conduct at work.

Ready to take the next step and make your mark in an IT career? Our friendly teams in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra are here to help you land your next great job. Get in touch with us today to accelerate your new career in technology.