Navigating a software industry shift

Rapid change and innovation in the technology industry isn’t anything new, and we’re certainly in the midst of a shift right now.

This can seem difficult to navigate. It can feel a bit like everywhere you look at the moment there are lay-offs in the software industry, with companies like IBM, Oracle, Salesforce, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and HP all announcing cuts. Why? Possibly due to over-hiring post Covid. Possibly due to automation impacting a wide range of industries. But whilst this news might seem like it’s all doom and gloom, it’s important for us as a society to figure out how to navigate this shift and make the most of the opportunities that are out there. Businesses (big or small) are having to quickly adapt to new realities of remote workforce, and a shift to online sales and customer interactions.

Despite the challenging market, the software industry is still growing at a rapid pace, and there are many job opportunities available. Companies are hiring, particularly in areas such as cloud computing, data science, AI and software as a service (SaaS) where skills are in high demand and companies are looking to take on new talent. This is particularly true for start-ups, who are seeing a lot more attention than they did in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic!

If you’ve been impacted by redundancies, or are simply looking to make the next move in the software industry during a period of change, here are my tips for finding and securing a new role in the space:

Focus on what you CAN control

It can be easy to get stuck in a rabbit hole of worry and stress if you’ve been made redundant or are considering a change due to uncertainty. This can, understandably, be a demotivator and slow down the process of finding a new role. Focusing on the things you can control is key, like working on your CV and a cover letter that you can tweak for each role you apply for. Or doing the research on the company, hiring manager, and leadership team before applying. My advice would be to Put aside extra time to prepare before your interviews; is there a podcast, interview, article or blog featuring the interviewer/recruiter that you can have a look at?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

When you’re looking for a role take the time consider a variety of opportunities; don’t dismiss opportunities or companies at first glance, once again, thorough research is key. Focus on companies and roles which will excite you, provide you with progression and will challenge you – this is the best way to master new skills and grow.

Stay informed about the new trends in the space

Keeping up to date with what’s going on in the market will only benefit you when looking for a new role, particularly in a period where innovation is happening at such a rapid pace. There are reams of free articles available, so I’d encourage you to read them, share them, and open up a conversation about them. This will not only make your social media profiles more interesting but also open up endless opportunities for networking and connecting with others operating in the same space.

Keep learning new skills

Professional development is always important when considering making a career move or responding to redundancy, whether this is starting a new educational course or spending time with a mentor. Pursuing education opportunities not only keeps your CV up to date, but also helps you to keep abreast of the rapid changes happening in your industry. Upskilling is always a plus!

Spend some time working on your LinkedIn page

This might sound obvious but it’s an important one! Making sure anything prospective employers may see about you and your career is up to date will be hugely beneficial to your job search, as this is a BIG selling point! Don’t just copy and paste your job description, talk about your remit, key achievements, leadership style, passion and add some personality to it; keep it concise and easy to follow.

Create a Professional Development Plan

This one is particularly important if you’re looking to take the next step in your career. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses – what skills do you want to work on before making a move? You can even speak to a mentor to help identify these. It’s also useful to think about what role you see yourself in and how quickly you want to get there. Creating SMART objectives is a great way to think about this.

There are plenty of resources (including this one) out there to help you make a PDP.

Many sectors in the software space are experiencing rapid growth and there are countless open vacancies for people in the industry to explore. We’re particularly noticing pockets of growth in start-ups who are innovating and breaking into the market, as well as companies operating in the artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and cybersecurity space – these three future-facing technologies are amongst tons of other solutions which are really booming right now.

Ultimately, my heart goes out to anyone impacted by the recent lay-offs in the industry. With that said, it’s important to remember that the software industry is still full of opportunity and new challenges to tackle, as well as people who want to support you to find your next role. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward”.