Planning for your next tech job

Whether you are actively looking for a new job, or considering new options, the team at X4 Technology are here to help. Below are some of my top tips.

Learn new skills

Whatever experience you currently have, whether that’s 20+ years or you are just starting out, building your skills will make you more desirable to employers. Think about what skills you can add to your CV that will increase your chances of a better job, or higher salary when the economy picks up again.

Think about where you want to be in your career in the next 1-3 (or more) years and ensure that the new skills you are learning or improving, align to your future career goals. What is your salary goal? Are you making the right decisions now to help you reach that goal?

For some, this might be going back to university, for others it might be simply getting better at something by practising or taking a course. There are many free certified courses out there in data science, software engineering and a whole range of other technologies that will help you advance your technology career.

Check out the average salaries in tech using free tools on platforms like Glassdoor. The below average salary data are just a few I have noted for different roles, but it will give you a rough idea of the type of position you want to aim for and what your potential earnings look like.

• Security Architect: £80,000
• Data Architect: £78,500
• Data Scientist: £62,500
• IT Risk Manager: £80,000
• Software Engineer: £55,000
• DevOps Engineer: £57,500

It is worth noting that these are a conservative indication of average salaries, more specific skillsets, or industry background may command differing salary levels across these types of roles.

Look for the fastest growing industries

One strategy to consider may be changing industries. Even during recessions, some industries are much more resilient than others and will continue to thrive. I am working closely with a range of tech businesses who are thriving and looking to grow their team, so it’s beneficial to reach out to a tech recruiter to get insights on the current market.

The e-commerce sector has benefited from the lockdown because of the shift towards online retail. Companies such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats are increasing in popularity as well as Amazon, who have seen a big increase in consumer demand.

Home entertainment and social media platforms such as Netflix and Spotify are growing and increasing in popularity. Netflix recently announced an extension for Google Chrome known as Netflix Party, allowing people to host virtual movie nights and watch shows and films remotely with friends.

There has been a huge increase in demand for video-conferencing software from businesses such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Slack. Panopto, which offers video streaming services and software for e-learning has also witnessed a 1,000% surge in interest in their products.

Get social

Update your LinkedIn profile, join online groups, engage with other professionals in your market, check out the social media of the companies you want to work for next and sign up for webinars. These are just a few ways to use LinkedIn when looking for new career opportunities. The best thing you can be doing right now on social media is networking

Make sure your LinkedIn profile, along with your CV, aligns to the type of role you are looking for. Keeping this very generic won’t make you stand out, especially in a saturated job market. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]