Blog: 4 strategic moves to land a tech job

Melissa Kee
Chief People Officer,
Temus

There are many reasons to pursue a career in tech, and the timing could not be better. The industry has enormous growth potential, and its increasing demands for tech-related jobs have caused an ongoing talent shortage.

In fact, Singapore requires an additional 60,000 information and communication technology (ICT) professionals by 2025 to meet the growing demand for digital talent, according to the former Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Statistics also indicated that 68 per cent of tech hiring managers in Southeast Asia said it can take over three months to fill an open tech position, even though up to 500 new vacancies are posted weekly on job sites.

That said, breaking into tech can feel intimidating if you are a fresh graduate lacking relevant knowledge and experience. While it is true that some tech roles require deeper levels of technical expertise, there are plenty of others that do not.

If you are considering joining the thriving tech industry, here are some expert-verified ways to get your foot in the door with little to no experience.

Research your options

The tech industry is not limited to programming jobs; roles come in all shapes and sizes. Start by deciding if you want a tech job or to work in the tech industry:

A tech-heavy job (think technical roles like software developers, network engineers, data engineers, etc.) requires deep specialisation and training. Whereas working in tech-lite jobs that do not require deep specialised skills promises a smoother career transition.

Figured out your direction? Start browsing job portals to understand the criteria for roles that interest you. The ideal fit should combine your current skill sets and domain experience, though you could easily cover areas you lack through upskilling. Not forgetting transferable skills like good communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills which are valued soft skills in any industry.

Close the knowledge gap

While a degree is not necessary, getting certified is the quickest way to break into tech. And showing potential employers that you have the skills they need goes a long way in making up for your lack of experience.

Step IT Up x Temus, our accelerated training programme that hires, places and trains candidates in tech roles, can be accomplished in ~4 months. Even better, candidates will receive mentorship support and a stipend to defray financial expenses (be paid while you learn!).

Step IT Up x Temus was launched by Temasek in partnership with UST. The global Step IT Up programme has uplifted over 1000 graduates, with 87% of those hired by leading global companies.

Guided by industry trainers and coaches, you will emerge with in-demand digital skills, ready to take the tech world by storm.

Build a stand-out portfolio

Over time, beef up your portfolio with small projects where you can showcase your digital chops and pick up relevant experience simultaneously. Also, include case studies for each project to highlight your working process and practical translation of skills.

Especially for younger tech-hopefuls with little professional experience, curating personal projects can show potential employers that you are invested in the industry.

Get hands-on experience.

An internship is the best way to secure industry-relevant experience, which will be beneficial as you transition into tech industry. Another way to gain exposure is by joining the tech community – think hackathons and coding boot camps where you hone your skills while networking with mentors and peers.

Step IT Up x Temus was designed to give tech-hopefuls a competitive step up in your pursuit of a dream tech career. Besides practical hands-on training using real-world examples, it leads to full-time employment with Temus, where you will get an opportunity to work on exciting client projects.

Want to launch your tech career in as little as ~four months? Sign up for Step IT Up x Temus. Applications close 20th February 2023.

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