How to Break Into Tech (Without Losing Your Sanity)

Thinking about a career in tech but not sure where to start? Or are you a business founder looking for top-tier tech talent? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—whether you’re a job seeker or a company looking to scale your team. And yes, we’ll keep the fluff to a minimum.

So, you want to work in tech? Excellent choice. It’s an industry where coffee runs through people’s veins, meetings could have been emails, and every other person you meet is working on “disrupting” something. But how do you actually get in? Whether you’re switching careers, fresh out of school, or just tired of your current job that somehow requires you to use a fax machine in 2025, here’s the real talk on breaking into the industry—minus the motivational nonsense.

And hey, if you’re a business founder looking to build a team, you’ll find insights here on how to attract top talent and scale smartly (hint: Real Selective can help, and no, we don’t do vague hiring advice like “just find rockstars”).

1. Know What You’re Getting Into

Before you dive in, ask yourself: What part of tech excites you? Do you want to build software? Sell it? Market it? Recruit for it. Tech isn’t just coding—there are roles in operations, customer success, product management, and more. Find your niche so you don’t end up applying for every job with “tech” in the title, like some sort of job application speed-run challenge.

And let’s be honest—a lot of people take a tech job not because they love it, but because they want to “get in” or just have the title. If that’s you, fair enough. But know that while “being in tech” sounds impressive at dinner parties, the actual work still matters. If you’re going in just for the title and have no intention of making it a career, at least be strategic about how it fits into your larger goals.

For founders, knowing what roles you actually need before hiring is crucial. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a team that consists of three product managers, one part-time intern, and zero engineers.

2. Get Comfortable with Change

Technology evolves quickly. One minute, everyone’s hyped about AI; the next, we’re debating the ethics of smart toasters. Be adaptable. Stay curious. Read tech industry news, follow startup hiring trends, and for the love of all things good, update your LinkedIn profile—unless you enjoy recruiters messaging you about jobs you’re wildly unqualified for.

For founders, keeping up with hiring trends isn’t just about sounding smart on Twitter. It’s about hiring people who actually know what they’re doing. That means hiring for skills, not just vibes.

3. Network Like Your Career (or Business) Depends on It (Because It Does)

You know that saying, "It’s not what you know, it’s who you know"? In technology and startups, it’s both. Connect with people in your target field, attend industry events, and engage in conversations online. And if networking sounds like a nightmare, just think of it as making LinkedIn friends who won’t ask you to help them move.

For business leaders, networking isn’t just about finding investors—it’s about building the right hiring pipeline. Because nothing says “I have no idea what I’m doing” like hiring your cousin’s roommate to be your CTO.

4. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Resumes are fine, but tech companies want proof. If you’re a marketer, have a portfolio. If you’re a developer, build projects. If you’re in sales, be ready to pitch yourself like you’re closing a deal. Employers love to see candidates who do the work, not just talk about it.

For startups, your employer brand matters. If your company’s entire pitch is “We’re like Uber, but for [insert completely unrelated industry],” attracting top talent will be a challenge. Candidates want to see real culture, real mission, and ideally, salaries that don’t require them to live off instant ramen.

And founders, here’s a reality check: scrolling mindlessly through resumes without truly understanding that these people are the foundation of your business (aka your baby) is a risky move. Your hires are not just names on a spreadsheet—they’re the ones who will either help your company grow or hold it back. This is why Real Selective exists—to help you build a team that will be instrumental to your success.

As a tech founder, you already have enough on your plate—running a business, securing funding, ensuring product-market fit, and, let’s be real, trying to remember what a “work-life balance” even is. Hiring shouldn’t be another headache. That’s where Real Selective steps in. We translate what you actually need into a hiring strategy that works. We don’t just throw resumes at you; we make sure every mid-level placement we present is the right fit for your technology company and long-term vision. Because the last thing you need is high turnover or someone who’s just there for the job title and not the mission. Let us do the heavy lifting so you can focus on scaling your business.

5. Leverage Recruiters (That’s Where We Come In)

Navigating the tech job market is tricky—whether you’re a job seeker or a founder trying to hire. That’s where Real Selective comes in. We help job seekers find the right mid-level placements in technology companies, match startups with the best talent, and provide insights that generic job boards just don’t offer. Because let’s be honest—blindly submitting applications online is about as effective as shouting your resume into the void.

👉 Looking for a mid-level tech role? Or need top talent for your startup? Let’s chat! Our agency connects job seekers with companies that are actively hiring and helps founders build A-player teams. [Contact Real Selective today!]

6. Don’t Fear the Pivot

Maybe your first tech job isn’t your dream role, but it’s a stepping stone. Many successful people in technology didn’t start where they ended up. Be open to learning, evolving, and making moves that get you closer to your goals.

For founders, if your hiring strategy isn’t working, pivot. If you thought you needed 10 engineers but actually needed a solid operations team first—own that mistake and fix it. There’s no shame in adjusting course.

7. Confidence Is Key (But So Is Humility)

Tech loves confident people who can back up their skills. But no one likes an overinflated ego. Be bold, but be teachable. If you don’t know something, own it, learn it, and move forward.

For leaders, confidence in hiring is essential, but so is recognizing when you need expert help (like Real Selective, just saying). Hiring isn’t a guessing game—unless you enjoy expensive mistakes.

Breaking Into Tech or Hiring Top Talent? Let’s Make It Happen!

If you’re serious about landing a technology job, don’t go at it alone. And if you’re a founder looking to build an A+ team, hiring right from the start can save you headaches down the line. Real Selective specializes in mid-level placements for technology startups, ensuring you have the right talent to grow.

Get started today! Reach out to Real Selective to explore tech career opportunities or build a team that fuels your company’s growth.