Whilst a business degree can broaden your career horizons massively and provides you with skills great for almost any industry, it is well known that working in the tech world can be especially lucrative.
It’s not just the money that’s a bonus, however. Using your business skills in the technology industry can see you be on the forefront of revolutionary devices and software that change the world - without you needing to know how to code!
For the above reasons, though, tech jobs can be competitive and the job hunt can be long. Here are some tips to keep persevering and to get ahead of your fellow applicants.
Get a degree with transferable skills
Beyond the building of the tech itself, there are countless decisions to be made within a technology company. Strategy, budgeting, resourcing, negotiating and many more will all be involved in every one of your business’s moves.
A business degree covers all of these skills. During your studies, you will establish your understanding of how companies operate, as well as build strong skills in communication, problem solving, critical thinking, presentating and the ability to build reports. You will learn to be time-effective and self-motivated, making you a valued member of your team.
You might not be able to code or design the product with your own hands, but your market evaluation and competitor analysis skills could definitely see you be a key figure in deciding what direction your company goes in and what type of technology it makes. A company needs people beyond the creatives to give a perspective that is not necessarily coming from a place of love for building tech but from a place of rationality and reigning in projects before they go over budget.
Know what area of tech interests you
When you enter a fast-paced tech job, you don’t need to give up your hobbies. In fact, your interests can be incorporated into your career!
If you have an interest in fashion, you can look for careers within FashionTech and be part of the creation of new wearable devices. If you love to travel, TravelTech, which consists of websites such as TripAdvisor and AirBnB, can see you guide the masses to their dream vacations with your business skills. BioTech is a far-reaching field, with subsectors including agriculture, the environment, DNA and medicine.
Once you narrow down what area you want to build your career in, you will enjoy a more focused job search. When you have a particular job in mind, you can create a resume highlighting relevant skills and experience, giving you a better chance at success compared to if you had an unspecialised resume.
Build an online presence
It may seem daunting, but technology is an industry of networking. From CEO positions to graduate internships, many jobs are snapped up by people who know the correct people.
Become one of these by putting yourself out there. A LinkedIn profile is essential but why not go one step further and make your own website profiling your achievements and any portfolio work?
Make sure you add people to our online network when you meet them, or take the plunge and make initial contact online. Always ensure when doing this that the person you have contacted is the correct person for your networking needs. For example, do they have any influence over hiring at your desired tech company? Do they belong to the particular department you wish to work in?
Most importantly, make sure you have read fully what the people you make contact with actually do – it would not get you very far in the job search if you compliment someone on the great tech achievement they have made but you have got them mixed up with someone else or misunderstood their involvement!
Keep on applying
Whilst networking is key, you need to apply for advertised jobs on company websites or via job posting websites such as Indeed. Both platforms are worth checking out when looking for your dream job in technology.
Some tech companies will share their open vacancies only on their own website, whereas others won’t bother at all and use just jobs sites. Hopefully, you will come across a lot of open positions across both that appeal to you and that you feel you are qualified for.
Applying as soon as you see these positions can be advantageous for a number of reasons. A hiring team has the choice to bring forward the final application date if they have received an overwhelming number of applicants, or they may simply come across their ideal candidate before this time.
Even if they do not change the date, a tech company will start sifting through applicants’ resumes before the closing date so it is good to make yours one of the first they see. From a personal standpoint, applying early will prevent you from having the task hanging over you, causing you stress.
Keep in mind, there will be lots of people applying for every position so you shouldn’t be disheartened if you get rejected. Perseverance, a skill you will use in the tech business world every day, is key at this stage.
Want to gain a basis of business skills to take with you on your tech career journey? Enroll on one of Eton University's business programmes today!