How to get a job in tech with no experience

In this article, we’ll provide a playbook for how to get a job in tech, even if you’re early in your career.

A common misconception with tech jobs is that you must work at a big tech company or become a coder. This isn’t the case.

Companies from all industries need people with tech skills to help them keep up with their market. There’s a wide range of tech jobs you can pursue, including:

Tech is a good career path because jobs often come with high pay and employee perks. If you’re interested in working in tech, here are the most significant benefits.

Many tech jobs, like software engineering and data science, don’t require a college degree. Many companies value experience and skills as much as a four-year degree, reducing the need for educational job requirements.

You’ll still need to showcase your potential to develop the technical abilities needed for a role, but there are fewer barriers to entry.

Tech skills are in high demand across industries. Companies tend to compensate well to recruit top talent and fill skills gaps, even for entry-level roles. Pay varies by profession, company, and industry, but most start at above-average salaries.

Below are the average salaries for in-demand tech roles.

Many tech jobs offer benefits like unlimited vacation, generous parental leave, and professional development funds. Plus, they have more flexibility to work remotely full-time or part-time.

There are lots of ways for you to break into the tech industry, including:

Whether you’re starting your career or changing industries, these tactics can help you get a job in tech.

Most recruiters will spend about six seconds reviewing your resume, so it needs to make a lasting impression. You may already know the basics, including contact details, relevant skills, and experience.

However, these resume tips can help you grab attention and land an interview with little to no tech experience:

You can also add certifications and training to demonstrate that you have the right skills for the job. These can make a huge difference, especially if you have a certification in a tool or skill listed in the job description.

You can also get an idea of what to include on your resume by:

Demonstrating your coding and other technical skills can help you break into tech. Create a website or portfolio to help your application stand out and show potential employers what you can do.

If you know how to code, show off your skills by building a professional website. You don’t have to be a coder, though. Content management systems like SquareSpace or Wix make creating a site without coding easy.

Like your resume, you should tailor your portfolio to your desired role. For example, if a tech job requires design skills, you could use Photoshop or Canva to build a portfolio. If you’re applying for a data role, link to a dashboard or spreadsheet you’ve created.

Going the extra mile to create a professional portfolio helps you stand out from other applicants.

Apprenticeships are paid training opportunities. You earn a salary while learning on-the-job, earning a certification, and building up work experience.

Multiverse offers a range of paid tech apprenticeships, including:

Apprentices earn between $55,000-$70,000 or more, depending on the role. One of the biggest benefits of an apprenticeship is that you don’t need work experience or a college degree. Companies that invest in apprenticeship programs value your potential and determination to succeed over experience on paper.

Apprenticeships also make landing an entry-level position more accessible. College isn’t for everyone. It’s expensive and takes you out of the workforce for four years or more. As a Multiverse apprentice, you complete training programs debt-free and kickstart your career earlier than college students.

Multiverse trains you while you work on-the-job at top companies that see the value in apprenticeships. As a result, you have a greater chance of landing a permanent role at your company or transferring those skills and experiences to another role.

Some tech jobs require hard skills like learning how to code or using tools like Tableau or Google Analytics. Hard skills refer to someone's technical ability to perform a defined task. Getting certified in a tool or skill helps show your expertise, especially if you have little work experience.

However, certifications can be expensive and take time—anywhere from a few weeks to six months or more—to complete. Be strategic about which certifications you invest your time and money into and tailor them to your desired job.

Find out what tools or products the role you’re applying for uses. They’re usually listed in the job description. You should demonstrate your familiarity with these tools in your application and interview. If you aren’t familiar with the tools, start using them. Check out some YouTube videos, or ask a friend if you’re unsure where to start.

Tech professionals also need soft skills. Soft skills are based on your ability to communicate, work effectively, and overcome challenges as part of a team. Soft skills are essential because they’re transferable across multiple industries.

Here are some examples of soft skills:

If you’re worried about lacking work experience for hard skills, leverage your soft skills. You might be surprised by how a combination of hard and soft skills can set you apart from other applicants.

If you’re thinking about a new role in tech, networking is a great way to research a position that suits you by talking to other professionals that already have experience in the industry.

Look for tech events, webinars, and networking events, and sign up to attend online or in person. Before attending your event, prepare some questions and talking points. You could ask questions like:

As for talking points, you could discuss the following:

If you connect with someone, take note of their details and follow up. You might meet someone who is hiring or willing to review your resume or refer you to a position.

However, remember that networking is most effective when there is give and take. Try to add value as well. Perhaps you have experience in a skill or area that someone would like to learn more about too.

Finally, look out for event details like dress code or a schedule so you can come prepared and look presentable. First impressions can be crucial in making the right connections.

It’s better to be over-prepared than not prepared enough. Research the company extensively and think about solutions you can provide to problems they’re facing that are relevant to the role you’re interested in. For example, if you’re applying to become a Software Engineer for a company with negative reviews about user experience, suggest ways you’d help resolve the issue.

When preparing for an interview, follow these tips:

For results, try to include measurable metrics like a percentage increase in users or click-through rates on marketing campaigns. Doing all of the above helps you showcase your desire and suitability for the role.

You should always practice for job interviews to prepare. Do some practice interviews with friends or family to help you develop your confidence, calm your nerves, and prepare for common interview questions.

To conduct your own interview at home, you could:

Your first role will be instrumental to your development in the industry and help you gain the experience and connections you need to build your tech career. Applying for your first tech job can be daunting, but they’re more accessible than you think. With some research, perseverance, and preparation, you can get a job in tech. If you’re interested in how to get a job in tech, but don’t know where to start, apply for an apprenticeship(opens new window).

Multiverse apprenticeships are tuition-free. As an apprentice, we’ll work with you to understand your goals and skills and help place you with a top company. It gets your foot in the door and builds on-the-job experience you can leverage for future roles.