How to stand out when applying to Tech jobs

Tech jobs are in high demand right now, particularly as companies are moving to more digital business models. Additionally, certain sectors have experienced significant growth during this period. This article shares some tips from our Consultants, so you can make sure you stand out when applying to Tech jobs.

Make sure your skill set and certifications are clear to see

When applying for Tech jobs, some people make the mistake of putting their skills at the bottom of their CV, but you only have seconds to make an impression on the person scanning your CV. Place them at the top of your CV to show that you’re a valuable and relevant applicant.

Don’t be a generalist

This is true across the board, from DevOps to Cyber Security. Companies hire DevOps people to add value. Highlight what you do well and your specialism within DevOps, whether that be dev, infrastructure or architecture, what can you add to the team. It’s important to find out early on where your passion and interest lies in Cyber Security and to specialise to become a subject matter expert.

Make sure your GitHub or Stack Overflow is up to date

This is particularly for developers; recruiters and hiring managers will look at your GitHub or Stack Overflow portfolios as this gives them a better idea of your work and experience in the field. Make sure all your recent projects are included there.

Emphasise your soft skills

Now more than ever, employers are focused on soft skills such as problem-solving ability, commercial acumen, adaptability, and the ability to learn new skills. Make sure that all of these things come across in your CV and interview to improve your chances of progression.”

As much as strong coding capabilities are important, having a high EQ has the potential to exponentially grow your career. It’s scarce to find talent who has 360 capabilities in terms of identifying the business needs, translating that into the IT infrastructure and being able to successfully implement solutions with the team you have.

If you don’t have enough experience… yet

• We advise upskilling yourself in the area you’re specialising in.
• FutureLearn, LinkedIn Learning and gov.uk are great places to start for free online courses.
• Start building your network on LinkedIn by following people in your industry and regularly engaging with their posts.
• Take note of any Tech problems that your network is sharing on LinkedIn and offer advice, then use this knowledge to appeal to companies that are hiring to show an understanding of the market.
• Take on self-initiated projects and share them on your LinkedIn and relevant Technology platforms (GitHub/Stack Overflow).