Tech Job Hunt Tips: Five Things to Know Before You Apply

Tech has long been one of the most sought-after industries to work in, and demand for STEM roles is expected to keep growing between 2022 and 2032. Getting in, and staying in, is not as easy as it sounds, though. Searches for “how to get a job in tech” jumped by 396% in a single month, which shows just how many people are thinking about it.

To help, we looked at advice from Maksym Prokhorov, co-founder and CEO of the business automation company PLATMA. He shares five points worth considering before you start your tech job hunt.

1. The market is big, but crowded

After years of steady growth, when tech firms could scale almost without limits, the sector is now feeling the strain. An economic downturn has made employers slow their hiring. According to figures on tech sector layoffs, 124,000 workers lost their jobs in 2024, on top of 428,000 in the two years before.

All those people are back on the job market, which means competition is fierce. Even candidates with strong skills and plenty of experience can find the odds stacked against them.

2. Go niche

There is an odd twist here. Plenty of roles exist, yet employers struggle to find people with the exact skills they need. The demand is concentrated in specialised, fast-moving areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

The opportunity is real, but it favours people who are willing to learn, adapt and retrain.

3. Keep adapting

When the market is tough, technical ability alone does not carry you. Prokhorov suggests updating your skills, studying the market and making yourself more appealing to employers. A useful trick is to look at which roles stay unfilled. You may find that you already have a good share of the skills needed to move into one of them.

Combine that with the basics:

• Go to industry events.
• Network with peers.
• Take courses and earn new certifications.
• Polish your LinkedIn profile.

4. Treat yourself as a brand

Roles rarely come knocking when competition is high. Promoting yourself can feel awkward, especially in a field that attracts a lot of quiet, introverted people, but it matters. Staying in touch with what peers are doing and what is trending raises your visibility, so you are on the radar when a hiring manager starts looking.

5. Stand out beyond the code

The biggest mistake is leaning only on technical skill. Prokhorov compares it to writing flawless code and then wrapping it in a poor interface. Employers also look for strong communication and other soft skills, and not only in the interview room.

Tailoring your CV is a big part of this. If it does not show how your experience fits the specific job, do not be surprised if the phone stays quiet.

Putting the advice into practice

If all of this feels like a lot, begin with one small step each week. You might read through job adverts for a specialist area you are curious about and note which skills keep appearing. You could then pick one course or certificate to work towards, update a section of your LinkedIn profile, or message someone in your field to ask how they got started.

Small, steady actions add up and make the process less daunting. They also give you more to talk about when an interviewer asks what you have been doing to develop your skills.

Starting your tech job hunt well

A tech career is still well worth chasing, but it rewards preparation. Learn what the market wants, build your visibility, and make sure every application speaks directly to the role in front of you.