Landing Your First IT Job: Essential Tips for Career Changers With No Experience

Are you considering a career change into information technology, but worry about having no prior experience? You are not alone. Many adults, veterans, and tech enthusiasts are eager to enter IT or cybersecurity, but are unsure where to start. This guide from NGT Academy breaks down the most effective landing your first IT job tips, helping you confidently transition from any background into a stable, well-paying tech role.

Most people switching to IT can start with entry-level positions even without a degree, provided they build the right mix of certifications, hands-on projects, and job-focused skills. Roles like help desk, IT support, networking, and cybersecurity analyst are open to newcomers who commit to structured, practical preparation.

Why IT Is a Smart Choice for Career Changers

The IT sector offers high demand, strong salaries, and the potential for rapid advancement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 317,000 new IT jobs are projected annually through 2034. Median IT wages are 127% higher than the overall US median, and many organizations are struggling to fill open positions due to a persistent skills gap.

• Job Security & Growth: IT roles are expanding faster than average, with especially high growth in cybersecurity and networking.
• Skills-First Hiring: Certifications and hands-on skills are now preferred over traditional degrees for most entry-level IT roles.
• Career Changer Outcomes: Over 65% of career changers report higher job satisfaction and improved pay after moving into IT.

What Are the Most Effective Steps for Landing Your First IT Job?

To transition successfully, focus on a step-by-step plan: assess your current skills, choose a realistic entry path, earn foundational certifications, build tangible experience, and approach your job search strategically.

1. Assess Your Transferable Skills

Even without an IT background, you likely have valuable skills such as problem-solving, communication, customer service, or project management. Many IT support and help desk roles value these abilities as much as technical know-how. Aim for an 80% skills match with your target job; recruiters understand that not every candidate will have direct experience.

Learn how to build confidence as an IT beginner in this helpful guide: how to build confidence as an IT beginner.

2. Choose Your Entry Path Wisely

• Help Desk / IT Support: Ideal for those with customer service or retail backgrounds. Requires patience, communication, and basic troubleshooting.
• Desktop Support / Field Technician: Suitable for hands-on learners; focuses on hardware and software troubleshooting.
• Junior Network Administrator: For those with analytical skills and an interest in connectivity; foundational networking skills are essential.
• Junior Security Analyst: Great for detail-oriented individuals eager to enter cybersecurity after basic IT training.

Explore the Network Engineer Program + Cybersecurity Accelerator at NGT Academy for a combined hands-on pathway into both networking and cybersecurity, complete with live instruction and career coaching.

3. Earn Recognized IT Certifications

Certifications are your ticket to proving skills in a skills-first job market. Most entry-level roles require one or two key credentials:

• CompTIA A+: The gold standard for entry-level IT support and help desk roles. Covers hardware, software, troubleshooting, and basic security.
• Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Fast, affordable, and highly recognized for absolute beginners.
• CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA: Essential for networking-focused positions.
• CompTIA Security+: Required for most entry-level cybersecurity analyst roles (build on A+ and Network+).

Each certification you earn demonstrates your commitment, boosts your resume, and can increase your starting salary by $5,000–$13,000 on average.

4. Build Hands-On Experience—Even Without a Job

Employers want proof that you can apply your knowledge. Home labs, volunteer projects, and small personal IT challenges are excellent ways to demonstrate practical ability. Document your work on GitHub or a simple blog. Some popular starter projects:

• Set up a virtualized network or Windows Server environment
• Configure and secure a home Wi-Fi network
• Volunteer to help a local nonprofit with basic IT support
• Complete TryHackMe or Shell Samurai challenges to build cybersecurity and Linux skills

5. Optimize Your Job Search Strategy

Most career changers land their first IT job in 6–12 months with focused effort. Apply strategically to entry-level roles through platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, company career pages, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Networking is crucial—up to 70% of IT hires come from referrals or community connections. Attend meetups, engage in online forums, and connect with professionals in your target roles.

Learn more about career progression in the entry level network engineer job path here: entry level network engineer job path.

What Entry-Level IT Roles Are Best for Beginners?

The most accessible entry points are Help Desk Technician, IT Support Specialist, and Desktop Support roles. These positions focus on troubleshooting, customer assistance, and maintaining basic IT systems. They offer a solid foundation for advancement into networking, cybersecurity, or IT management as you gain experience and further certifications. Entry salaries typically range from $45,000 to $55,000, with rapid progression possible in the first few years.

Learn what to expect from an online IT bootcamp here: what to expect from an online IT bootcamp.

How to Stand Out in IT Interviews Without Direct Experience

Employers value enthusiasm, a growth mindset, and the ability to apply transferable skills. Prepare to tell clear stories about how you have solved problems, learned new tools, or worked collaboratively in previous roles—even if those were outside IT. Practice troubleshooting scenarios, explain technical concepts in plain language, and demonstrate your understanding of security basics (such as multi-factor authentication and least privilege).

• Connect your past experience to IT tasks (e.g., customer service to user support)
• Showcase your home lab or project work
• Highlight your certifications and explain what you learned

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Switching to IT

• Skipping the fundamentals. Build a broad foundation before specializing.
• Over-collecting certifications without hands-on skills. Two to three certifications plus practical experience is sufficient.
• Ignoring soft skills. Communication, teamwork, and adaptability are critical in IT.
• Setting unrealistic salary expectations. Entry-level pay is modest but grows quickly with specialization.
• Going it alone. Networking doubles your chances of landing that first job.

90-Day Quickstart Plan for Aspiring IT Professionals

1. Days 1–30: Assess your skills, research roles, start studying for your first certification, and join two to three online IT communities.
2. Days 31–60: Advance your certification studies, build a basic home lab, complete your first hands-on project, and expand your LinkedIn network.
3. Days 61–90: Pass your certification exam, complete two additional projects, update your resume and LinkedIn, and begin applying to targeted entry-level IT roles.

Grow Your IT Career With NGT Academy

NGT Academy specializes in helping adults, veterans, and non-degree holders launch IT and cybersecurity careers, even with no prior experience. Our programs combine certification prep, hands-on labs, mentorship, and career coaching to ensure you are job-ready. Learn more about our mission to help one million people get tech jobs by 2030 on our mission page, or explore our FAQ for answers to common questions about eligibility, financing, and enrollment.

FAQ

What are the best certifications for landing your first IT job?CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support Professional are highly recommended for beginners. For those interested in networking or cybersecurity, CompTIA Network+ and Security+ are valuable next steps.

How can I gain hands-on IT experience without a job?Build a home lab, complete online technical challenges, volunteer for nonprofits, and document your projects on GitHub or a personal blog to demonstrate practical skills.

Do I need a degree to start a career in IT?No, most entry-level IT roles prioritize certifications and proven skills over a formal degree. Many successful IT professionals have transitioned without a traditional college background.

How long does it take to land your first IT job after switching careers?Most career changers secure their first IT role within 6 to 12 months, depending on effort, preparation, and local job market conditions.

What support does NGT Academy provide for career changers?NGT Academy offers training programs with live instruction, hands-on labs, mentorship, and career coaching to help you build skills and connect with real IT job opportunities.