Landing your First Tech Role

Transcript

1. Landing your First Tech Role She Code Africa Greater Accra
2. Mfonobong Umondia • Community Manager • Developer Advocate • Building the CM Growth Lab • Tech and Productivity Shenanigans on YouTube (DevRel with Mfonobong) • Food Brand in Uyo and Lagos @the_ladybella
3. First of all, understand the landscape… Tech roles are broad, we have software engineering, data analysis, product design, DevOps, cybersecurity, technical writing, community management, etc. Before you decide to embark on a field, research the skills and requirements for your target role. • Take structured learning (e.g., online bootcamps, courses, certifications). • Practice projects on GitHub, Kaggle, Behance, or any platform relevant to your niche (personal, open-source, hackathons). • Learn the fundamentals really well instead of chasing every new tool.
4. No matter your field, there is always a place for new talent ❖ Global demand for tech talent ❖ Entry-level roles are growing… companies always looking for fresh perspectives in their team. ❖ High competition, but opportunities are abundant Technical Roles: Software engineer, data analyst, DevOps, etc. Non-technical but Tech-related Roles: Product management, UX design, community management, technical writing Myth-busting: You don’t need to be a coding genius to work in tech.
5. Build Your Personal Brand: Employers hire who they can see. Visibility builds credibility. • LinkedIn profile (professional photo + headline). • GitHub / Portfolio website. • ATS Friendly resume • Share learnings online (Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs).
6. Gain Experience Without a Job: • Internships (paid/unpaid, remote opportunities). • Open-source contributions. • Freelance projects / volunteering. • Hackathons & coding challenges. Employers want proof you can work, not just certificates. Also make sure your work is impactful
7. Build a Strong Application: Always emphasize storytelling in resumes and applications. • Resume tailored to tech roles. • Highlight projects, skills, impact (not just tasks). • Write personalized cover letters. • Showcase results with numbers.
8. Networking is Everything: Share personal story about networking opening doors. • Join communities (Slack, Discord, LinkedIn groups, GDG, She Code Africa). • Attend meetups & conferences. • Reach out to professionals (informational interviews). • Book coffee chats • Leverage referrals (80% of jobs are filled via networking).
9. Nail the Interview Interviews test confidence + problem-solving, not perfection. • Research the company. • Practice coding challenges / role-related tasks. • Prepare your STAR method stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result). • Ask insightful questions. • Be genuinely interested in the company
10. • Be consistent → progress compounds. • Rejection = redirection (learn, improve, reapply). • Stay adaptable, keep learning. • Call to action: Start today. Final Tips
11. Q&A