How to Build a Strong Personal Brand in Tech

Last Updated on June 28, 2024

The Tech Industry is Competitive and Going Through Layoffs, But a Strong Personal Branding Can Help You Land a Tech Job.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in technology, congratulations! The world of technology is growing and changing dramatically year after year. Though there have been layoffs in the tech industry as a result of an economic decline, there are many positions in tech that are still in high-demand.

Whether you’re fresh out of college, looking for a career change into tech, or pursuing a new job in tech is a big undertaking, so it’s always a good idea to revisit your professional portfolio and refresh your personal brand.

Continue reading if you’re looking to increase your chances of getting your foot in the door in the field of technology.

What to Know About The Tech Industry Before Your Job Search

You know you want to start a career in the tech industry, but you have no idea where to start. Maybe you’ve put some feelers out and done some initial research but aren’t sure where to go next.

The good news is that your desire to start a career in technology is a great investment in your future. In fact, Wired Magazine states that there were more than 320,000 job openings for software engineers between March and July of last year.

In Demand Roles

The most in-demand tech roles right now:

• Project manager
• Software developer
• Information security analyst
• Data scientist
• Mobile applications manager
• Web developer

Tech Company Benefits

Fun perks and benefits being offered by jobs in tech:

• Competitive salaries
• Remote opportunities
• Unlimited PTO
• Home office stipends
• Wellness stipends
• Telecom benefits (phone bill stipends, paid media subscriptions, etc.)

And these are just to name a few. But, to have a chance at these amazing perks, you need to know where to find the companies posting these amazing job opportunities.

How Do I Get a Job in Tech?

Of course, job boards are the first thing to come to every job seeker’s mind, but is that really your best avenue? Perhaps there are other ways to find out about your dream job in tech that isn’t posted solely on job boards.

Tech Job Search Strategies

Here are a few proven approaches you could take to launch your dream tech career search:

• Build your professional network – Start by asking your family and friends if they know anyone at any tech companies hiring for your desired role.
• Leverage employment agencies – Agencies are an excellent option for temporary and contract work, ideal for those looking to get a feel for a company before committing to full-time work.
• Work with headhunters – These recruiters specialize in placing you into the best fitting role and company for your skillset and career goals.
• Find a mentor – find a role model or mentor in the tech industry that can guide you through the job search process.
• Join alumni networks – Check in with your fellow collegiate classmates! They might be able to give you a leg-up on jobs that aren’t even posted on job boards.

5 Advanced Tips for landing a High-Paying Tech Job

We’ve reached out to Kyle Elliott, founder and career coach of CaffeinatedKyle.com to shed some light on some personal branding tips that will help candidates stand out from the crowd. He provided us with the following personal brand reputation tips to stand out and get hired in the tech industry.

Branding Tip #1: Identify Your Ideal Role in the Tech Industry

“The tech industry is broad and rapidly growing. Thus, you want to begin by mapping out the types of companies and positions you are targeting. 

This will help you become laser-focused in your job search and avoid getting distracted by big company names, fancy titles, and the massive salaries the tech industry is known for. You may also find it helpful to write a laundry list of everything you need and want in your next job.”

Branding Tip #2: Update Your Resume to Use Tech Industry Language

“Before applying to tech jobs, take time to update your resume. You want to make it easy for recruiters to connect the dots between your experience and their open roles. 

With this in mind, learn the language of the tech industry. For instance, if you are switching from education to tech, you may wish to use ‘end users’ instead of ‘students’ on your resume.”

Branding Tip #3: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

“Ensure your LinkedIn profile is optimized for today’s competitive job market. Begin by clearly articulating what types of roles you are targeting in your headline. 

Then, use your About section to highlight what distinguishes you from other job seekers. But don’t stop there. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site, so use it to connect with people at your target companies.”

Branding Tip #4: Lean Into Your Network

“Now, ask for help. Leverage your personal network to help you successfully break into the tech industry. Make a list of those people in your network you can count on to provide introductions to professionals at your target companies. 

Then, let your friends, family, and colleagues know the types of roles and companies you are targeting so they can make introductions for informational interviews.”

Branding Tip #5: Practice Selling Yourself With an Elevator Pitch

“Finally, know that interviewing with tech companies can be incredibly challenging. Practice your elevator pitch and come to interviews prepared to speak to your biggest strengths. 

Consider crafting a handful of stories that speak to your greatest accomplishments as well as a few lessons learned throughout your career.”

Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES is the founder, career coach, and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. His goal is simple: to help people find jobs they love.

Other tips to help land a tech job:

• Create a personal website or portfolio
• Publish articles on a blog, LinkedIn, or Medium
• Demonstrate your “soft skills” like communication, learning new skills, problem solving
• Start a tech side gig
• Find freelance projects posted on UpWork or Fiverr 
• Do an internship (consider an adult internship)
• Attend a bootcamp or an online class
• Get a certification

All of these tips can boost your credentials and experience when interviewing for a tech position.

How Long Does it Take to Get a New Job in Tech? 

Depending on the knowledge and skills you’re bringing into your tech job search, it can take as little as a few weeks to well over a few months to land your ideal gig in tech.

If you don’t have a background in tech or a degree in computer science, it can take 1-2 years to build your technical skills to an appropriate level for hiring. If you have a college degree (bachelor’s degree or master’s degree) or adequate experience and in-demand tech skills, your time-to-hire will be shortened dramatically.

If you’re limited in the technical skills department and going back to school isn’t an option, you should still apply to roles in the technology field anyways. Show off your soft skills to hiring managers; they are often impressed by candidates who have strong abilities to communicate and elaborate on technical topics.

Here’s what to expect during the recruiting process:

1. Background checks/drug tests
2. Personality tests
3. Skills tests/technical interviews
4. Team interviews
5. Final Interviews

Although it may be a long process, it will be a worthwhile endeavor to land your dream job in tech.

Closing: Getting a Dream Job in Tech Starts With Your Personal Brand

Getting a job in the tech industry can come with many challenges, but with these five branding tips you will certainly set yourself up for success. Some even seek personal reputation management services to help them land their dream job in tech.

If you’re interested in reading more career advice or personal branding tips, please check out Reputation911 for more ideas on how to improve online reputation. 

About The Author

William DiAntonio

William DiAntonio is the Founder & CEO of Reputation911, a reputation management firm he founded in 2010 that has earned the trust of its clients for over a decade by helping individuals, businesses and brands control their online search results.