The Complete Roadmap to Get a Job in Tech in 2024

A 6-step guide to maximize your chance of getting a job in tech

Jan 03, 2024

Step 1: Ask yourself why you want to get into tech

First of all, you need to ask yourself why you want to get a job in tech in the first place.

Is it for the money? Is it because you're passionate about tech? Or is it because you want to be able to make a certain type of tech, whether it's a game, a website, a mobile app, or is it just because you're curious? I’m not going to judge you for your motivation here. Whatever your end goal is, think carefully about why and think about if getting a job in tech in 2024 will lead you to actually achieving that goal.

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Step 2: Decide what type of job you want

There are many different kinds of jobs available in tech, including front-end, back-end, DevOps, cloud, data engineering, UI/UX, or even product management/project management. Your choice should be based on your skills, interests, and the reason why you want to get into tech. No single correct answer exists, so research to find out what types of jobs are available and in demand. Look at job descriptions and openings in your area to decide what aligns with your interests.

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Step 3: Learn fundamental skills

This step might take about 100 days or more, depending on your focus area. The goal is to learn the fundamental skills necessary for your chosen field. For example, as a software engineer, you should learn things like for loops, if statements, functions, and other basic programming concepts. Solve simple problems and work on exercise problems to solidify your understanding. And then build basic projects to practice using skills that you’ve learned.

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Step 4: Do everything you can to gain experience

You can gain experience through open source contributions, freelancing for local businesses, or using platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, or your own projects. However, these platforms can be competitive, so focusing on local businesses might be more beneficial. Even if you're not paid, it's crucial to create a LinkedIn business page with a professional logo and name, and list this work in your experience section. Treat any open source contributions as actual work experience, as it demonstrates your capability as a software developer. This step is recommended for about six months, and you should share your progress and what you've built online, especially on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Step 5: Networking

Start networking by attending meetups, conferences, and online events. Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to connect with people in your field. Be intentional about whom you talk to based on the type of job you're looking for. Avoid appearing desperate; focus on creating meaningful relationships instead of just seeking job opportunities. Keep sharing your progress and learnings online to showcase your capabilities.

Step 6: Work on your interview skills

In the current market and the market, I expect later this year, the main challenge of getting a job in tech is most likely going to be securing interviews, not necessarily getting through them. However, once you start landing interviews, it's crucial to be able to perform well.

For this, I would mention a couple of things. First, you want be able to communicate clearly and use empathy to engage with different audiences effectively. For example, talking to a recruiter should take a different approach from communicating with an engineering manager. The best way to get better at this is actually by becoming a better communicator in general.

The second area is your general problem-solving skills and technical skills. From steps one to five, you should have developed these skills to some extent, preparing you for interviews. If you feel lacking in these areas, spend time practicing and honing your problem-solving skills.

Finally, practicing in a simulated environment is beneficial. This means getting friends or mentors to give you mock interviews. Additionally, giving mock interviews is helpful. This approach lets you understand the interviewer's perspective.

This entire process should take about a year.

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Final thoughts

While one year might seem short, it's a feasible timeline even for those starting from scratch. Consistency is key; many people give up early, but staying persistent makes a huge difference. It's not about completing specific coding bootcamps but about putting in consistent work, sharing your progress, and not giving up. The reality is, only a small fraction of people will complete this entire roadmap. This means if you are one of the few people who do, you will have a huge advantage.

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