How a Tech Certification Changed My Career (and my Bank Account)

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Before COVID-19 shook the world, I was maintaining a classic 9-5. I’d danced around the medical field in my earlier years, becoming a phlebotomist out of high school and worked at various hospitals and doctors offices for many years after. Then, quarantine hit, and suddenly a healthcare gig didn’t seem like the best idea. It was time to pivot, but into what? I had no clue. I was a dream chaser; cool with working odd jobs while keeping a creative flame burning on the side. I never had corporate aspirations because my heart belonged to art. But how sustainable could this lifestyle be? How long could I keep it up? Would I be able to start a family, build businesses, or generational wealth this way? Certainly not.

Then enters my (now) husband – a man with over a decade in the tech industry, who’d been working remotely far before COVID, and raking in six figures since college. Impressive, right? He had the freedom to structure his day and cash to fuel his creative pursuits in a way I’d never experienced. He was always oddly lax, a way of being that I was far removed from, because sure, my creative side fueled me, but living in constant survival mode was draining.

“You should try Technical Writing,” he suggested. “There’s gonna be a big demand for it post-pandemic. Plus, you love to write. It’s a win-win!” Technical what? Writing technically? That didn’t sound fun at all. I was a creative writing junkie. You know? Poetry, short-stories, journaling. Plus, I didn’t want some corporate job to suck the fun out of something I had always enjoyed as a pass time. But, as our days stuck at home piled up, and the effects of COVID-19 waned on, I decided to crack open my laptop to uncover the world of technical writing.

Turns out, there was more demand than qualified professionals, starting salaries were sweet (way more than I’d ever made), and the field had loads of room for growth, or even a pivot into other exciting roles.

So I decided to leap and signed up for my first online technical writing course through Coursera.com. Cost me $39, and I could wrap it up in 6-9 weeks. Out of my comfort zone? Absolutely. But with nothing to lose and time to spare, why not? I’d finish with a cool tech cert that never expired and a boat load of new opportunities for career advancement.

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Landing the First Role

OoOh, this is the good part! Are you wondering how to transform that certification into a tangible job opportunity to kickstart your new professional adventure? Better yet, are you curious about how I achieved it? If so, let’s dive into the process of landing your first role after obtaining a tech certification.

Remember, before the actual job hunt begins, you should reflect on your career goals and choose a certification that aligns with your aspirations. Consider in-demand skills and emerging technologies to ensure your certification lands you in a thriving and evolving industry. The Coursera Job Skills Report identifies the fastest-growing skills based on a detailed analysis of Coursera enterprise learner enrollment for each year. I recommend that you download and review this report to assist you in making an educated decision on your new career goals.

Once you’ve successfully earned your certification, it’s time to give your resume a well-deserved makeover! I mean, you put in weeks of hard work for a reason, right? Your resume serves as the initial introduction to hiring managers and recruiters, making it crucial to tailor it to showcase your newly acquired tech certification. Worried about the lack of prior experience? Fear not! Just be sure to highlight key skills and projects you tackled during your certification journey. Online courses often include mandatory projects that form the foundation of your very first portfolio. Don’t forget to use action verbs and quantify your achievements to truly make a mark.

And if crafting a resume seems a bit daunting, I’ve created a handful of downloadable resume templates as a resource to you – because making a stellar first impression should be hassle-free!

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Building an Online Presence Using LinkedIn

Establishing an online presence builds trust and credibility amongst hiring managers and recruiters, and there’s no better platform to achieve this than LinkedIn. This professional networking juggernaut has become the go-to hub for building a personal brand and fostering connections within the professional community. Your LinkedIn profile is essentially your digital professional identity. It’s where hiring managers and recruiters get an initial glimpse into your qualifications, experiences, and the narrative of your career journey. Hiring managers and recruiters often turn to LinkedIn to validate the claims made in your resume. A well-crafted profile with detailed work experiences, endorsements, and recommendations serves as a testament to your professionalism and expertise.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen notes on job descriptions that’ve read “Must have LinkedIn profile”, that’ve come straight from the hiring manager themselves. This underscores the significant influence a candidate wields when vying for a job opening. In such scenarios, hiring managers consistently favor candidates with established LinkedIn profiles, regardless of the strength of their resumes or work experience. The impact of a robust online professional presence is undeniable in today’s competitive job market.

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Creating a Killer Portfolio

Building a robust portfolio is a crucial aspect of the job search process, particularly in fields requiring coding, writing, or design. The simplest way to create your initial portfolio is by showcasing projects completed during your certification journey. These projects serve as tangible evidence of your acquired skills, offering potential employers a concrete understanding of your capabilities. Ensure your portfolio includes detailed project descriptions, outlining challenges faced and solutions implemented.

If you’re a visual learner, you can explore my first Adobe Portfolio I crafted after receiving my technical writing certification. And if you want to beef up your portfolio with a little more than what you completed during your online course, conduct a Google search for key elements or project types essential to your portfolio, then create “mock” versions to showcase your creativity. Once your portfolio is live, actively share the link on your LinkedIn profile, resume, and other professional platforms. Recruiters appreciate easy access to a portfolio link, saving them the effort of hunting for it.

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Preparing for Interviews

Thorough interview preparation is essential to landing your first role! Although a virtual work environment has alleviated some of the anxiety-inducing aspects of the interview process, diligent preparation remains paramount to confidently showcasing your skills and knowledge.

• Research the Company and Role: Hiring Managers often ask a question or two about what you know about the company you are interviewing for, be sure you have an answer! Delve into the company’s origins, its Founder(s), culture, values, and mission. Familiarize yourself with the job description, ensuring you grasp the essential skills and responsibilities, and rehearse how your previous experiences align with and demonstrate proficiency in these areas.
  
• Prepare for Common Interview Questions: A smooth-flowing interview largely depends on how well you’ve anticipated and rehearsed responses to common behavioral questions. Be sure to reflect on past experiences where you demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership, aligning your answers with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). The bulk of most interviews questions pertain to how you work, the remaining are usually technical. To nail those, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms.
  
• Mock Interviews: Practice makes perfect! Simulating interview conditions will help you refine your responses, identify areas for improvement, and enhance your overall interview performance. I’ve created a stellar Interview Prep Worksheet. Fill it out, then read your answers out loud in front of a mirror, camera phone, or laptop – this helps you become aware of your subtle body-language. Remember confidence is key!
  
• Prepare Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewer. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and organization. Questions about team dynamics, project expectations, and growth opportunities are often well-received.
  
• Technical Setup: If your interview is conducted virtually, ensure your technical setup is flawless. Test your microphone, camera, and internet connection in advance. Familiarize yourself with the interview platform, and make sure your background is clean and tidy.

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Explore Alternative Ways of Working

Embracing remote work introduces a level of flexibility that an office or cubicle setting simply cannot match. Since 2019, I’ve fully embraced the remote lifestyle, and truth be told, the prospect of returning to an office holds little appeal for me. As an introvert, navigating office culture, politics, and social events was always a challenge. Remote work, however, empowers me to tailor my work environment to optimize productivity according to my preferences.

The remote setup significantly contributes to achieving a healthier work-life balance. With no lengthy commutes, I now have more time to prepare a balanced breakfast in the morning or attend to midday errands. Another noteworthy advantage of remote work is the potential for increased earnings. Unlike the constraints of office-based work, remote employment allows me to manage multiple contracts or take on additional freelance projects, amplifying my earning potential by three to fourfold at times!

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Conclusion

So, in conclusion, the transformative power of a tech certification goes beyond mere skill acquisition—it extends to reshaping one’s life trajectory and financial well-being. Armed with the right certification and a well-honed toolkit for success, the journey toward a fulfilling and prosperous career in tech becomes not just feasible but profoundly rewarding. If I can do it, so can you!

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