Tips for Starting a Successful Career in Tech
Insights From a Successful Product Designer at Meta
Written by Celine Okafor
Welcome to another edition of the ConTech newsletter.
A few weeks ago, we had our first-ever ConTech Corner with Daniel Abayomi, Product Designer at Meta and Co-founder of GrowTeq, where he shared his impressive design journey and offered valuable insights for starting a successful career in tech. He spoke about how to effectively negotiate a contract, dealing with impostor syndrome, and how to stand out in job applications.
You can listen to the recording of the first forty-two minutes here, but in this edition of the newsletter, we highlight some of the most important things you should know:
Just start: Find what interests you and build a passion for it. If you can't afford to pay for extra resources, there are several free courses, tutorials on YouTube, and eBooks that you can learn from. The important thing is to begin learning and gaining knowledge in your area of interest.
Join a community: Having a community is as important as having a mentor when starting out. Even a small group of friends who are passionate and helpful can serve as a community. Communities help keep you accountable, and the shared goal helps you grow together.
Build your skills and be consistent: For you to be better at your work, you need to work hard and put in the effort. Continuous learning helps you become more confident in your abilities, and confidence is a great tool for negotiations.
Dealing With Impostor Syndrome
Celebrate small wins: It is the small "insignificant" wins that eventually create the big wins. Learn to celebrate each little learning milestone. This will help in reducing events of impostor syndrome.
Surround yourself with supportive people: When you feel like an impostor, it is only people who have witnessed your growth that can remind you of the good work you've done.
How to Stand Out in Job Applications
Build your Interview Skills: No matter how good you are at your job, if you don't know how to take interviews, it'll be difficult to get a job. Interview skills also include negotiation skills. You can check out The Futur on YouTube for videos on negotiation and how to present yourself as a worthy candidate. You can also consider reading the book Never Split the Difference for further lessons on how to become better at interviews.
Have a great portfolio: Your portfolio is the first thing the hiring managers meet before you. Let your portfolio tell your story, and prove that your work is great.
Research the company: This is a vital part of every interview process. Carrying out research on the company before an interview helps you ask intelligent questions and pitch yourself as a valuable asset. While pitching yourself, you can also be specific about what you can do for the company if you're hired.
Here are some additional tips to help you excel in tech:
Invest in your skills: The company that hires you needs to see what value you can bring. Building confidence through the quality of your work is crucial in demonstrating this value. It’s also important to note that your soft skills are also as important as your technical skills.
Be consistent: Consistency is key to getting better at anything. Always take every opportunity to learn and improve your skills.
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