Symend's CTO joins careers event to share tips for getting a job in tech
Symend's CTO recently participated in a virtual careers event focused on helping aspiring technology professionals break into the industry. With years of experience in building teams and hiring for technical roles, our CTO shared practical advice and insights that can help job seekers stand out in a competitive market.
The current tech job market
While the technology industry continues to grow and create opportunities, competition for desirable positions can be intense. Understanding what hiring managers and technical leaders look for can significantly improve your chances of landing the right role.
However, the path into tech isn't always straightforward, especially for those transitioning from other careers or without traditional computer science degrees. The good news is that the industry is becoming more receptive to diverse backgrounds and non-traditional paths.
Building foundational skills
Technical competence is obviously important for technology roles, but it's not just about knowing specific programming languages or tools. The most valuable skills include:
Problem-solving ability
At its core, technology work is about solving problems. Being able to break down complex challenges, think systematically, and develop effective solutions is more important than memorizing syntax.
Continuous learning
Technology evolves rapidly. Demonstrating curiosity and the ability to learn new things quickly signals that you can adapt as technologies and requirements change.
Fundamentals over trends
While it's tempting to chase the latest frameworks and tools, understanding fundamental concepts—data structures, algorithms, system design, software architecture—provides a foundation that remains valuable regardless of which specific technologies you work with.
Practical experience
Theory matters, but so does practical application. Build things, contribute to open source, work on side projects, or volunteer your skills for non-profits. Hands-on experience demonstrates capability better than credentials alone.
Crafting your application
Your resume and portfolio are often your first chance to make an impression. Make them count:
- Show, don't just tell: Rather than listing skills, demonstrate them through projects, contributions, or measurable achievements
- Tailor your application: Generic resumes rarely stand out. Customize your application to highlight relevant experience for the specific role
- Include a portfolio: For technical roles, having a GitHub profile or portfolio website where employers can see your code is invaluable
- Highlight impact: Don't just describe responsibilities—explain the impact you had and problems you solved
- Keep it concise: Hiring managers review many applications. Make yours scannable and focused on what matters most
Networking effectively
Many jobs are filled through referrals and connections before they're even posted publicly. Building a professional network is crucial:
Engage with the community
Attend meetups, conferences, and tech events. Participate in online communities. Contribute to discussions. Being visible and helpful builds recognition and connections.
Seek informational interviews
Reaching out to people in roles you're interested in to learn about their career paths can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to opportunities.
Contribute meaningfully
Whether it's answering questions on Stack Overflow, contributing to open source, or writing technical content, contributing to the community demonstrates expertise and builds visibility.
Maintain relationships
Networking isn't just about making connections when you need something—it's about building genuine relationships over time.
Acing the interview
Technical interviews can be intimidating, but preparation makes a huge difference:
Practice coding problems
Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to practice common interview problems. Focus on understanding problem-solving approaches, not just memorizing solutions.
Understand the role
Research the company, its products, and the specific team you're interviewing with. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate genuine interest.
Communicate your thinking
During technical interviews, talking through your approach is as important as arriving at the solution. Interviewers want to understand how you think.
Be honest about gaps
It's okay not to know everything. Being honest about what you don't know and demonstrating how you'd learn or figure it out is better than bluffing.
Show enthusiasm
Genuine interest in the role, the company, and the problems you'd be solving comes through and makes you more memorable.
Alternative paths into tech
Not everyone follows the traditional computer science degree path, and that's increasingly okay:
- Coding bootcamps: Intensive programs that teach practical skills in a condensed timeframe
- Self-taught: Using online resources, tutorials, and projects to build skills independently
- Career transitions: Leveraging skills from other industries while building technical competencies
- Internships and apprenticeships: Programs designed to provide hands-on learning and pathways into full-time roles
- Non-engineering tech roles: Product management, technical writing, solutions architecture, and other roles that combine technical knowledge with other skills
What we look for at Symend
When hiring at Symend, we prioritize several characteristics beyond just technical skills:
- Growth mindset: Willingness to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and communicate technical concepts clearly
- Ownership: Taking responsibility for outcomes and seeing projects through to completion
- Empathy: Understanding user needs and considering the human impact of technical decisions
- Curiosity: Genuine interest in understanding why things work and how they can be improved
- Diverse perspectives: Different backgrounds and experiences that enrich our team and our solutions
Dealing with rejection
Job hunting involves rejection, often more than success. Handling it well is important:
- Don't take it personally—fit matters and timing matters
- Ask for feedback when possible
- Learn from each interview experience
- Stay persistent—the right opportunity will come
- Use downtime to keep building skills
Looking ahead
Technology careers offer tremendous opportunities for growth, impact, and fulfillment. While breaking into the industry can be challenging, it's absolutely achievable with the right approach, persistence, and continuous learning.
At Symend, we're committed to creating opportunities for diverse talent and supporting people at various stages of their tech careers. Whether through mentorship, hiring for potential rather than just credentials, or participating in events like this careers session, we believe in helping open doors for the next generation of technology professionals.
For anyone working to break into tech or advance their technology career, remember that everyone's path is different. Focus on continuous improvement, build genuine connections, and stay persistent. The industry needs diverse perspectives and fresh talent—including yours.
