Cold-applying to tech jobs doesn’t work like it did pre-2020. Even if you have great referrals, headcount is down most places and your chances are slim-to-none, so how do you get a tech job fast?

Sneak In Through The Back Door

If the game is unwinnable, play a different game. You can’t control headcount numbers or the insane current applicant-to-position ratio. What you can do is position yourself much better than your adversaries who are also searching for a way in. I’m going to explain how to do this in three easy steps.

1. Infiltrate

Get a job working at a company whose main product is not tech but has a tech department. The ideal target for this strategy is a company sized somewhere between a startup and a mid-size public company. The objective is to get a position that is adjacent to tech and in the same building or on the same campus of the company’s tech department. Anything where you’re going to be using a computer somewhat is probably sufficient, even if it’s just fiddling with Excel spreadsheets all day.

2. Gather Intelligence

Spend the first 90 days getting good enough at your job. The goal here is to live up to the expectations, not make a name for yourself in that line of work. Once you’re at cruising altitude in your current role, start making connections in the tech department. As an aspiring engineer, product manager, etc. you should have a natural interest in what they’re doing. Listen to their problems. See if you can offer solutions. Be open about your interest in working in tech.

3. Say Yes

Opportunities will present themself if you’re plugged in socially. It might take a few days, it might take a few months, but they will materialize. Maybe your engineer friend needs some help writing tests, or your product manager buddy wants your feedback on some slides — give away your help graciously and for free, even if it “goes nowhere” you are getting real-world practice for the job you ultimately want.

Parlaying This Into A Job

Once the tech market picks back up one of two good things will happen to you if you’ve played this strategy right.

1. You will get a job offer to do product/eng/etc. work at your current company since you are a known quantity to them now.
2. You can polish up your resume with all of the product/eng/etc. tasks you’ve done on-the-job which will put you light years ahead of any other candidates without real world experience.

Why This Works Better Than Any Other Approach

In this market, skill isn’t enough, you must also have an astronomically high level of perceived credibility, i.e. “does this dude have a track record of doing the job we’re going to hire him for?” This approach builds your perceived credibility within your current company and also with other companies when expressed on your resume. Follow this approach and you will have job offers as soon as the market improves.