More and more women are entering and opting to work in the technology industry. Besides being a promising market, many jobs are expected to open up in the coming years. Currently, a good portion of the people working in this market is men.
Over 56% of the women working in the tech industry quit their jobs mid-career. This is not good as we strive to work towards creating equitable workplaces.
We strongly believe more women need to be working in the tech industry and especially, at the decision-making stage so they are part of building products and solutions that serve their demographic and can be part of the positive impact we wish to see.
That is why we bring you in this post 5 tips for women who want to enter the area that can encourage you to follow your goal:
We know how difficult it can be to let go of what you know and dive into something new. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to simply start.
Attend networking events, join women in tech groups, follow leaders on LinkedIn, and ask how they got started.
The good news is a lot of jobs within the tech sector require transferable skills – such as sales, marketing, operations, etc. You can apply for jobs within your field in the tech industry.
Finding a mentor can also help you get started.
2 – Say goodbye to Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is real. Self-sabotage is very common, especially when we enter an area where we don’t see enough people like us. Many women going into tech may think that they need to learn to code to work in the tech industry. That is not true.
Just like the transferable skills you can bring, you can bring your experience to get the foot in the door.
Believing in yourself is the key to success – especially in the startup world.
Technology startup folks look for people with the right attitude rather than having all the right skills.
Aligning yourself with the company and their mission can be key to getting in the door.
We have mentors who will help you in your preparation process. Schedule a conversation!
3 – Make a list and reach out
Make a list of all technology companies in your desired region and areas of interest. Look up the people who work there. Follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn what they like and talk about.
After doing a bit of research into the company and people there, reach out to a few to see if you can set up a coffee conversation.
Be intentional about the chat. Make a list of questions you want to ask and share your desire to work there. Ask questions like:
1. How did you get into your career?
2. What do you look for in ideal candidates and colleagues?
3. What advice would you give to someone like me looking to work with a company like yours?
Showing a strong interest in working at a company will always earn you bonus points.
4 – Showcase your work and skills
Your portfolio is your gateway. If you don’t have anything in place, start working on putting it together.
If you have volunteered or even created any collateral for a previous job, include it. Create more. Work on your resume.
Include items and achievements that align with the company and role you are applying for. Remember that the more experience you demonstrate, the better opportunities you will have.
How about starting by taking the first step? We invite you to talk to our team and see if we can help find the best-fit mentor who will help you achieve your goals.
Schedule a conversation.