If you want to land a job in tech, you came to the right place. If you’re reading this, you’ve been at this ‘job search’ game for a while. You even get a mild headache thinking about what to do next in your strategy or wondering what’s missing. 

Why does it seem to be so easy for others to get into the companies of their dreams? While you feel nothing is working out for you.

You might be rewriting and sending out your resume with the best intention. You’re trying to go the extra mile so you start reaching out to recruiters online. And even if they never reply, you have hope that the right opportunity comes your way.

So the next step is to find out what is sabotaging your job search efforts. I will share with you 3 things most job-seekers get wrong when job searching in tech and how to fix those.

1. You Haven’t Identified Your Ideal Target Role

Identifying your ideal target role is key to start seeing momentum in your job search. 

Here’s why…

Clarity affords you focus. Knowing what role you want, will allow you to reframe your experience according to it. You will focus on applying only to that specific role instead of spreading yourself thin applying to all types of roles.

This is your “ideal” target role because it’s the perfect fit to your experience and skill set. Here is the characteristics of an ideal target role:

• It’s similar work to what you’ve done in the past (even if it’s in another field).
• It contains responsibilities you’ll enjoy doing and learning.
• You can hit the ground running using your existing experience and knowledge.

Don’t worry so much about not meeting 100% of the qualifications. Your main focus should be on the value you can provide if you were to get hired.

2. You Don’t Have Enough Tech Keywords.

So you’ve been sending out resumes left and right, but still not hearing back? You might be missing some keywords.

You’ve heard a lot about making a pretty resume and including fancy words. But in tech, it will be kind of the opposite. Whether you’re breaking into tech for the first time or trying to land your next job – it’s important you know that tech has its own language.

Yes, you read that right. This language is a “techie” language.

Make sure to include this “techie” language as you write your experience. This will allow whoever comes across your resume, LinkedIn to see and understand your value right off the bat.

Here’s how to translate your current experience into a techie valuable offer:

1.Identify your target role.
2. Open up the description and write down:

• Verbs.
• Role-specific lingo.
• Tech words you know by another name.

3. Open your resume and cross-check.
4. Identify the areas where you can switch a verb or replace words using techie words you find on the description.
5. Shorten your sentences and add data where you can.

If you want to know more about writing a resume, don’t miss my tech resume post next week.

3. It Might Be Time to Level up Your LinkedIn Game

In attempts to go the extra mile in your job search, you might be jumping on the LinkedIn bandwagon. One of the most common activities on LinkedIn is to start reaching out to recruiters. 

If you’re guilty of this, I got some news for you.

Chasing after recruiters isn’t a strategy and after a while, it gets quite frustrating. First, you find them on LinkedIn or get an introduction through a friend. You get all excited and you think they will be your way in. You send out a message and nothing. You message them again and still nothing.

If recruiters aren’t answering your messages, don’t take it to mean you lack skills or qualifications. It means they might not be looking for talent in their messages. 

It’s no secret that recruiters look for talent on LinkedIn, so that means you have to help them find you.

How? Using keywords. Ok, let me explain…

LinkedIn is a search engine, like Google or Safari – but for career opportunities. So the way to attract opportunities is by coming up in recruiter searches.

Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Optimize your profile by filling out all the sections.
2. Make sure to use words that are applicable to your target role.
3. Increase the likelihood of appearing on searches by posting more.

This is a technique used by many and the best way to become a recruiter magnet.

Conclusion

Landing your next job in tech doesn’t have to be hard and overwhelming. In fact, it can be enjoyable and empowering once you follow a solid strategy. If you follow a strategy you’ll be able to see the momentum building on your job search. 

Do you want to see better results in your job search? And finally, land that dream job? Then my FREE 3 Strategies to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile training is for you. I will teach you how to attract opportunities in tech instead of chasing after them. Click here to gain immediate access.