Applying for your first role in tech can feel daunting, especially when every job description seems to ask for experience you do not yet have.
But employers do not expect junior candidates to know everything. A first tech role is meant to be a learning role. What matters is showing that you have the right attitude, can learn quickly, communicate clearly and work well with others. Technical ability matters, of course. But it is not the only thing employers are looking for.
Show that you can learn
In an entry-level role, one of the most important things you can show is curiosity. Employers want to see effort, potential and proof that you have tried to build your skills beyond the bare minimum.
That might be through university projects, personal projects, freelance work, online learning or small pieces of work you have built in your own time. The project does not need to be huge. What matters is that you can explain what you did, why you made certain choices and what you learned from the process.
If you built something that solved a problem, even a small one, talk about it. That tells an employer far more than simply listing the tools you used.
Do not dismiss non-tech experience
A common mistake I see is junior candidates leaving out experience because they do not think it is ‘technical’ enough. Retail jobs, customer service roles, volunteering, society positions, group projects and part-time work can all be useful. These experiences often show communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
For example, if you have worked in retail, you have probably dealt with a range of different personalities, handled pressure, solved problems quickly and communicated with people who may be stressed or frustrated. Those skills are valuable in tech.
Most tech roles involve working with other developers, designers, stakeholders or clients. You will need to explain ideas, ask questions, take feedback and work towards shared goals. Your previous experience can help prove that you already know how to do that.
Tailor your CV
It can be tempting to send the same CV to every role, but tailored applications are much stronger. Before applying, read the job description carefully. Look at the skills, tools and qualities the employer is asking for, then adjust your CV to show where you match them.
That does not mean pretending to have experience you do not have. It means making the most relevant parts of your background easy to find. If the role asks for React and you have used React in a university or personal project, make sure that the project is clear on your CV. If the job mentions teamwork, include an example of a group project, job or volunteering role where you worked with others.
Recruiters may not always be technical, especially at the first stage, so make your experience easy to understand. Do not just list tools or technical skills. Explain what you built, what problem it solved and what your role was.
Practise talking about your projects
Before you apply, practise talking through your projects out loud. This helps you prepare for interviews, but it also helps you understand your own experience better.
Try not to make every project sound perfect. Employers are not looking for a flawless story. They want to know how you think, how you solve problems and how you respond when something does not go to plan. Being honest about a challenge and explaining how you dealt with it can show maturity and self-awareness.
Prepare for behavioural interviews
Behavioural interviews are used in tech because technical skill alone does not show how someone works in a team. You might be asked about a time you faced a challenge, disagreed with someone, had to learn something quickly or worked towards a tight deadline.
The best way to prepare is to build a small bank of real examples from work, university, volunteering or life experience. Think about situations where you solved a problem, communicated well, took responsibility or learned from a mistake. A strong answer should be clear and honest. Explain the situation, what you did, what happened and what you learned. Keep it focused and avoid giving too much detail, as it can make the answer harder to follow.
Do not underestimate the skills you have
For women applying for tech roles, confidence can sometimes be one of the hardest parts of the process. You might feel pressure to know everything before you apply, or to prove that you deserve to be in the room. But you do not need to be perfect to be ready. You need to be willing to learn, ask questions and keep improving.
It is also important not to overlook the skills you may already have. Organisation, communication, emotional intelligence, leadership and problem-solving often come from day-to-day life, not just internships or formal tech roles. Whether your examples come from university, work, volunteering, family life or another industry, they still count. The key is learning how to recognise those skills and explain why they matter in a tech role.
Apply before you feel ready
Nobody feels fully ready for their first tech role. It is easy to tell yourself that you need one more project, one more course or one more skill before you apply. That does not mean applying with no preparation. It means recognising that you do not need to know everything before you start.
If you are applying and getting rejections, do not let that stop you. The process can take time, and many companies do not reply to every applicant because of the volume of applications they receive. If you have been applying for a while with no success, review your CV, improve your project descriptions and keep going.
My biggest advice is this: do not underestimate what you already bring. Your route into tech does not have to look the same as everyone else’s. Previous jobs, life experience, university work, personal projects and transferable skills all count. Tech needs people who can think clearly, communicate well, solve problems and keep learning.
If you can show those qualities, you have more to offer than you might think, and you do not need to wait until you feel perfect before putting yourself forward.
