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There is no doubt that Poland has a pool of talented young people ready to take on challenges and pursue their careers. It’s fine to start with a simple job in a shop or cafe that doesn’t fulfil your ambitions. However, if you have your heart set on a future in IT, it’s time to take the next step. It’s common to feel uncertain if you have no relevant background, and that is where all the doubts sit still. We would like to share three tried and true methods that will enable you to secure a job in the IT industry, even without any prior experience.
First option. Undergo special training courses
This is indeed the most obvious way to enter the IT industry. The path of a newbie: go to courses, catch the idea, join this world and get at least minimal knowledge in the chosen field. Students already go beyond the minimum position experience requirement by taking courses, especially if they have had practical training and created a portfolio which can be shown to an employer.
However, it is very likely that after investing a significant amount of money in a course, you will realise that it’s different from what you expected. And maybe you have a greater interest in another area of IT but are stuck on the course. This can be a potential downside, especially if you are new to IT and are still determining your interests. Training can be costly. It’s important to consider your options carefully not to waste time and money.
Second option. Apply for entry-level positions
Some professions don’t require extensive studying or a diploma, and you can find entry-level positions for these roles. These jobs typically don’t demand much work experience, and recruiters may specifically mention that they are suitable for students.
And still, recruiters are looking for some essential qualities in candidates, like specific soft skills, team players, and individuals adaptive to new situations. The preference falls on candidates who are willing to learn promptly. One of the perks for a student will definitely be visiting a cosy office, which is a must for most companies (at least a hybrid type of work, going there three days per week after studies). The office is about meeting new people, foreigners. A young and energetic student with no specific skills can join a team of professionals, learn and continue to move forward in their career in IT.
Now let’s look closer at an example of a real entry-level job opening and its requirements. Experience is not mandatory for this Data Operator role in Pontera on behalf of Sd Solutions; however, the ideal candidate should possess a specific set of skills, including the following:
If you’re interested in this job opportunity, here are some tips on how to prepare for an interview:
Get ready for an English interview and review IT-related vocabulary.
Watch a 2-3 hour Excel course on YouTube.
Prepare a story about situations where you’ve demonstrated analytical skills, a “can-do” approach, and teamwork. Be ready to share those experiences during the interview.
Another thought may arise that lacking specific hard skills may leave a junior behind. Entry-level positions are challenging, and at the same time, they offer tremendous potential for growth. One thing to be sure about is that companies are interested in training you, providing all the help you need and supporting your development.
The field of data operation is quite diverse, so what you do next will depend on your passions. Possible directions of career growth include but are not limited by:
Data Analyst
Risk Analyst
Office Administrator
Bank Officer
Information Systems Manager
Manager of Data Center
Unfortunately, there is one downside that students who would like to break into IT often face: limited job openings in highly sought-after IT companies. There are really much fewer vacancies for juniors than for mid-levels.
Third option. Get into freelancing
They say anything is possible in the freelance world, and everyone can get in. This is both true and not so true. A person without experience can enter freelancing and start earning money, but this is a thorny chance and requires a great desire to work.
The pluses include flexibility – it will be even easier to combine work and study, autonomy – you are your own boss and rapid development. Freelancers are well positioned to join good companies in the future, as they already have practical experience and many skills that prove their expertise.
However, it is better not to expect to see pie in the sky. It is a long and hard work on your reputation and self-discipline. A junior must immediately become versatile and design, communicate, negotiate, and get things done. Depending on the chosen field, this will require strong hard and soft skills. The thing is that such challenges may overwhelm and stress out any person without prior knowledge of “how to be a freelancer”.
It’s up to you to choose which option suits your lifestyle best. If you’re interested in starting your career in IT right now, take advantage of our hot job in Warsaw from SD Solutions and try your hand at the IT industry.
