Finding the right job in tech

The tech industry is growing rapidly, and job seekers in the sector have a plethora of opportunities to choose from. However, finding the right job can be overwhelming, especially when considering all the factors which could influence your decision. 

In our recent PageGroup survey of 5,000 UK workers, we asked professionals to select the elements of a job that were most significant to them. The top responses for IT and tech professionals were as follows:

  • Work-life balance: Selected by 59% of IT; 65% of tech (64% average across all sectors)
  • Job security: 50% IT; 45% tech (51% all sectors)
  • Colleague relationships: 47% IT; 48% tech (51% all sectors)
  • Sense of purpose: 46% IT; 45% tech (48% all sectors)
  • Company values: 40% IT; 47% tech (35% all sectors)
  • Clear progression path: 38% IT; 45% tech (30% all sectors)

Salary is always a key factor and your ideal job will need to pay you appropriately – check out our technology candidate salary guide here to learn what you’re worth in today’s market.

Whatever you are personally looking for in a new role, this guide will provide you with some top tips to help you find the tech job that is right for you.

Work-life balance

Finding a job with the right work-life balance came out as the top priority amongst tech and IT professionals. Given its importance for your overall well-being and job satisfaction, we wanted to give you some top tips on finding a job that gives you the flexibility you want:

Evaluate your priorities: First, you need to determine want you want and what’s important to you. How much time do you want to devote to work, as opposed to other aspects of your life, like family, friends, and hobbies? Do you want to work set hours in the day, or have a more flexible working schedule? Do you want a permanent role, or would a contactor position suit your needs better?

Research the company's culture: Next, look for companies that offer the right level of work-life balance. Research the flexible hours, remote working, and annual leave policies of the companies you’re engaging with to make sure they fit your expectations. A lot of this information can be found on company career pages, but if you’re working with a recruiter, they’ll be able to give you all of this information before starting the interviewing process.

Talk to potential companies’ current/former employees: If there’s a particular company you’re interested in, there’s nothing stopping you from connecting with people who work or have worked at the company, and asking them about their experience, and how they find or found the flexibility levels in their job.

Job security

Job security is a significant concern for many job seekers, particularly in the tech sector right now. Here's what you can do to ensure your new company is a strong one and can offer you long-term job security:

Are they financially stable? Look for companies with stable financials and growth potential. This may be something you want to ask in an interview with a hiring manager.
 
Do they have a strong position in the market? You want to make sure you’re working for a company that are leaders in their industry so you want to make sure you do you research and also check out their competitors to see how they compare.

Colleague relationships

Building positive relationships with your colleagues is essential to your overall success and job satisfaction. Here's what you can do to ensure your next tech role is with a company you love, with people you can build relationships with:

Review their company culture: Look for companies that prioritise collaboration and teamwork. Checking out their LinkedIn channel is a good place to find insights into their company culture; similarly, many businesses will have ‘work for us’ or careers pages where you can learn more about what it would be like working there. 
Ask about team dynamics: It’s important to ask about team dynamics and culture during the interview process. Here are a few questions you can ask your hiring manager to gain a good insight into what your new team might be like:

  1. Can you describe the company culture?
  2. How does the company recognise and celebrate employee achievements?
  3. How does the company foster collaboration and teamwork?
  4. Can you describe the management style within the company?
  5. What is the company's approach to diversity and inclusion?
  6. Can you share any recent initiatives the company has undertaken to improve the employee experience?

Sense of purpose and core values

A sense of purpose can help you feel more fulfilled in your job. If you want to work somewhere with a purpose you can feel inspired by, here's a few things to think about:

Identify your passions: First, it’s important for you to determine what you're passionate about. Once you know that about yourself, you can look for jobs that align with your interests.

Research the companies’ mission and values: Most company missions or core values can be found publicly on either their social media or career websites – so do your research, and check that these are aligned with your own.

Ask about the companies’ social and environmental impact: Many professionals care deeply about working for a company that’s having a positive social and environmental impact. If you are one of them, be sure to ask in your interviews about the company's initiatives around social responsibility and community engagement.

Clear progression path

Some 45% of tech professionals chose a clear progression path as one of their top priorities; this is unsurprising, since progression in a role contributes directly to long-term career growth. If having a well-defined progression path matters to you, here are some steps you can take to learn more about a company's career development opportunities:

Check the company's website: Look for a "Careers" or "Jobs" section as this will include lots of useful information about career development opportunities, such as training programs, mentorship programs, or opportunities for advancement.

Look for employee reviews: Check websites like Glassdoor or Indeed to read reviews from current or former employees. Look for comments about career development opportunities and the company's commitment to employee growth.

Ask during the interview process: If you have an interview with the company, be sure to ask questions about career development opportunities. This is a great chance to enquire about training programs, promotion prospects, or mentorship programs.

What’s Next?

Finding the right tech job for you requires careful consideration, but by evaluating the factors discussed above and researching potential employers thoroughly, you can find a job that aligns with your values, interests, and long-term career goals.

Take a look on the Michael Page site for live tech roles that match all your criteria. Don’t settle for less! 

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