As the year winds down, Q4 is a prime job-hunting season. It can be a goldmine for savvy job-seeking techs. Companies often scramble to fill open tech positions before annual budgets expire. Clients are keen to get new staff onboarded before December.
Finding a new job before quitting helps to mitigate the risk of lost income and benefits and having gaps in your CV.
Securing a new tech job ahead of Christmas offers several benefits. Not only will you be onboarded and settled into your new role before the end of the year, but the holiday downtime allows for a smoother transition. Plus, you'll get to integrate into the team and meet your colleagues and clients in a more relaxed, festive environment.
Here's how to capitalise on the pre-Christmas job search
Update your CV
Even though skilled tech professionals and IT contractors are in high demand, a lot of talent is competing for the best jobs. One way to stand out is with a strong CV. Get CV feedback. It's easy to miss glaring typos, so ideally get someone else to review it. The best people to ask are those working in tech. Tailor your applications by customising your CV and cover letter for each role, highlighting how you will hit the ground running.
Polish your online presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile and portfolio are up-to-date and showcase your latest skills and projects. LinkedIn plays a role in hiring decisions, so ensure that your profile showcases your professional achievements and milestones. Highlight your project niche. Update your profile with information on completed, current, and upcoming projects. Include the challenges you encountered and overcame.
Become the most sought-after talent
In a skills-short market, companies dislike turning away a multiskilled tech candidate. AI has leapfrogged cybersecurity as the most difficult-to-fill role in recent years. Generative AI is reshaping job requirements, requiring niche skills that are creating new roles in tech.
In recent years, roles in data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity have grown in demand. According to the government report Quantifying the UK Data Skills Gap, there is a significant demand for data skills and that nearly half of the businesses interviewed were recruiting for data roles.
Target in-demand roles
Careers in data, development, cybersecurity, blockchain, ERP, and UX design are also at the top of the UK’s digital economy charts. Focus on hot sectors like cloud computing, machine learning (ML), and AI. These fields are experiencing steady growth despite economic fluctuations. Tech professionals trained in large language models (LLMs) are in demand.
An element of upskilling will usually be needed. Now is a good time to develop skills to help companies integrate and apply AI and make it sustainable. Assess your current skill set for relevant abilities. Programming languages remain important. While tech skills are vital, so are soft skills. Critical thinking and problem-solving top the list of skills tech employers want.
Search for free webinars, podcasts, and online events. There are online learning resources from LinkedIn and Google. Short microlearning courses are also popular.
Get IT certification
Cloud certification shows employers you have the knowledge and skills needed for your career. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon all offer certifications that impart the knowledge and skill development required for handling different cloud technologies. Certifications include:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Solutions Architect - Associate
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Google Associate Cloud Engineer
Network strategically
Create an elevator pitch about yourself. Although a little American, an elevator pitch works this side of the Atlantic. This is a quick one-minute spiel about who you are and what you do. Attend industry events. These informal settings can lead to valuable connections.
Use specialist tech recruitment services
Partnering with a specialist recruitment company like NU Concept Solutions can significantly enhance your job search experience. They provide confidential job search assistance and help streamline the process. With strong industry contacts, NU Concept Solutions often has access to tech job opportunities before they are publicly advertised.
Research companies
Contact companies you'd like to work for and ask about their talent requirements. You can also use networking opportunities to learn more about the business and its employees. Set up job alerts to receive notifications when new positions are posted.
Be flexible and open-minded
Consider contract roles. These can often lead to permanent positions and help you to build experience in different sectors and industries. With holidays approaching, hiring processes may be expedited. Be prepared for quick turnarounds on interviews and offers.
Interview stage
Your potential employer will have searched for you online, so why not do the same? Try to find out about your interviewer. This will give you a head start on other candidates.
A tech-orientated business is looking for talent to fill skill and knowledge gaps. In the interview, keep the conversation around your strengths. A portfolio can show off your computing skills. Include IT and digital transformation projects you've done in previous roles to make yourself stand out from other candidates. Remember to ask the interviewer engaging questions throughout the interview, too.
A video interview is common for a tech role. Dress as you would for an in-person interview, to make a strong impression. Choose a quiet, well-lit location with a professional background. Have your CV, portfolio, or interview task on your computer so you can screen-share. You can stick ‘post-it’ notes on the wall behind your computer to save looking down at notes on your screen or desk.
If you’re looking for a new role in Q4, these actionable strategies to fast-track your tech job search can help you secure your next role in 2024. As autumn arrives, Q4 presents a prime opportunity to secure a new role. If you're looking for a new tech job before Christmas, contact NU Concept Solutions today to accelerate your job search and get a head start.