Work in IT without experience: expert advice. What are the prospects for working in the IT industry, what professions to choose for a beginner, and how to write a resume and pass an interview?
In the labor market, working in IT means low competition and high demand among employers. Competitive salaries, interesting projects, informal teams, and the potential to work from anywhere in the world, even in times of crisis, attract even those who were not previously associated with this sector. I have great news for you: today you can find a job in IT without experience and even without a specialized education. So how to do it?
The prospects of a job in IT for beginners are really impressive. There is a shortage of specialists in this industry in almost all areas. Moreover, you can learn a new profession in IT in just a few months, the main thing is your desire and motivation. Many large companies hire for IT jobs without experience with training and the further development of a valuable specialist.
The digital sector provides not only one of the most comfortable working conditions with the possibility of a remote but also one of the highest salaries. For example, according to the DOU site, the average salary of IT specialists in Ukraine has been steadily growing over the past 10 years. This applies to both beginners who come to the position of Intern or Junior, as well as more experienced specialists in the Middle and Senior categories.
Talking about the growth rates of wages in the industry, beginners can count on the maximum dynamics of the increase in remuneration. A developing IT specialist doubles the earnings in just a year of work.
Conventionally, all areas in IT may be divided into two vectors: technical and non-technical.
I'll start with the first category. It is more difficult to take the place of a technical specialist in IT without experience than for a non-technical one, but it is still possible. Companies are often ready to hire juniors for the positions of QA tester and Frontend developer. If the applicant does not have specialized education, HR looks at the courses taken, Hard and Soft Skills, the candidate's desire to develop skills, deepen knowledge, and develop as a specialist.
The second category opens up a wider field for working in the IT field without experience. Every company needs non-technical specialists, including:
Some of these positions do not even require specialized education. For example, to find a job in IT without experience as a graphic designer, you only need skills in handling Illustrator and Photoshop, natural talent, and knowledge of the basics of composition. An interested applicant who knows how to communicate with people, negotiate and agree on cooperation can apply for the position of sales manager or recruiter.
Looking ahead, according to the Techpoint, Simplilearn, and Rubian platforms, the highest-paid and at the same time demanded professions in the IT field in 2022 are:
Profession |
Annual salary |
Web developer |
$72 000 |
Application Analyst |
$72 600 |
Database Developer |
$84 000 |
Site Reliability Engineer |
$140 000 |
Software Architect |
$138 500 |
Cloud Architect |
$107 000 |
Computer Programmer |
$82 000 |
Computer Support Specialist |
$53 000 |
Digital Marketer |
$49 000 |
Cybersecurity Specialist |
$95 000 |
Product Manager |
$100 000 |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer |
$140 000 |
DevOps engineer |
$150 000 |
Blockchain Engineer |
$150 000 |
Big Data Engineer |
$140 000 |
Web designer (UX/UI designer) |
$300 000 |
Mobile App Developer |
$96 000 |
Data Scientist |
$150 000 |
There are many ways to start a career in IT. To become a specialist, you can:
It is believed that IT is the area in which the younger generation works. However, the industry has been forming for more than a year, and during this time a generation of programmers aged 40+ has already appeared. According to the DOU platform, the average age of industry representatives in Ukraine is 29 years.
As practice has shown, it is still easier for young professionals to find a job in the IT field without experience. Recruiters choose young people because they have a lively mind, easily learn new things and, most importantly, quickly learn everything necessary to complete tasks. In addition, young people adapt more easily to a new team and make friends, which means they are good at working in a team.
At the same time, companies are willing to hire people after 30 years in the position of Middle or Senior. But the position of Junior is often accepted by those who are just starting their careers - university graduates or students in their last years.
I will say right away: this does not mean that it is impossible to get into IT after 35, 40, or another age. Often recruiters take into account Soft Skills, which young people rarely have. Even, for example, the ability to complete tasks or the strong motivation of the applicant can play a decisive role.
If you are looking for a job in IT with no experience, I recommend following a few rules:
Three tips for beginners to help avoid interview mistakes when looking for a job in the IT field with no experience:
Finally, I will say about appearance, which is also important in the interview. I do not recommend choosing an emphatically informal style or formal attire. In the first case, the clothes will become a manifestation of disrespect, and in the second case, they will make the recruiter feel uncomfortable against the background of an overdressed interlocutor. For the first time, choose casual clothes in which you will feel confident and comfortable.
Almost every position in an IT company requires knowledge of English. However, the media level is not always required. Often you can start in a profession with a Pre-Intermediate or Intermediate level.
Yes, it's worth it. Always try to send a resume. In your cover letter, indicate what skills will help you perform the assigned work tasks, or what training will allow you to quickly reach the required level of knowledge.
In many IT companies, salary reviews are carried out at a fixed interval, for example, every six months or annually. You can also achieve promotion by improving your own results or by teaching less experienced colleagues. Some companies also have clear development maps: certain points that need to be learned or completed in order to achieve career advancement and salary growth.