A Sensor Tower Recruiter's Advice for Finding an Entry-Level Job in Tech During COVID-19

COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on people and industries across the globe in the few short months since it first emerged. Most companies have instituted work-from-home policies, while many have also experienced layoffs due to the negative economic impact of the pandemic. Many students, approaching the end of their college careers through online classes, are struggling to understand how they will fit into the workforce during such an unprecedented time.

While looking for a job during this period may seem like a daunting task, it's certainly not impossible, and there are many ways students and others looking for entry-level roles in tech can make themselves more marketable to employers despite the economic downturn.

Consider Thriving Industries

While looking for a post grad entry-level job in 2020, it's important to pay attention to what industries are prospering, which usually translates to higher rates of hiring. Certain areas of tech are still doing very well, including a majority of the mobile app ecosystem, meal delivery services, and video conferencing technologies. According to Sensor Tower data, many previously successful apps are seeing an increase in user acquisition, meaning many mobile apps and mobile-related companies are still actively looking to hire new employees, even in entry-level roles. I'd encourage any recent graduate, or anyone looking to enter the workforce, to look at what industries they might be excited to work in and take a closer look at how COVID-19 has impacted them.

When I graduated college, working in tech felt like a no-brainer. I was born and raised in Silicon Valley and graduated university with a minor in Computer Science. The search was on to find an entry level recruiting job in San Francisco. Admittedly, my job search took place a few months before the first cases of coronavirus began to surface, but I strongly believe that some of the strategies I used then, and even more that I've learned while working in recruiting, can be extremely beneficial to those seeking entry-level roles this summer.

Do Your Research

Research is absolutely crucial to the job search process. Before I sent in my application to Sensor Tower, I took my time to read about the company, and made sure to take note of what it was about it and the role particularly that excited me, then included those in my application. When I moved on to the final interview stage, I read up even more, and spoke with family and friends that worked in recruiting so I could get a better sense of how my skills and experience would be well-suited to a recruiter role.

As entry level candidates, it may seem like it's impossible to have enough relevant working experience in order to get your first job. However, every experience is relevant; what matters is demonstrating how that experience can help you in the role you're applying for. I spent many years working in retail in college, which might not seem like a straightforward path to recruiting. But by explaining how I could transition my skills in customer service to candidate experience during the recruiting process, they suddenly became a lot more relevant. I recommend that anyone looking for an entry-level position in a new field to examine what aspects of their previous experiences they enjoyed, and apply them to the job search.

Location, Location, Location

While working in recruiting, I've learned a lot about what makes an applicant stand out, and these qualities are even more important for entry-level positions. The first is simple, but one that my friends and I, who went to school in Boston while applying for post grad jobs in San Francisco, didn't even consider. The location on your resume is one of the first things employers will look at if the job they are hiring for is not remote. If you plan on moving to the city where the job you're applying for is located, make that clear. Whether on your resume, or somewhere else in the application, it can be the difference between an automatic rejection and being asked for an interview.

Entry-level positions often have many applicants, so most companies won't consider candidates that will require relocation. Because of this, ensuring (and communicating) that you have plans to move anyway, or will be willing to relocate, can make all the difference. Even though much of the workforce in tech is now working remotely, many employers are still looking to hire local candidates that will come into the office after the lockdown is over.

Get Specific

As was mentioned earlier, using previous experience that relates to the position you're applying for is also an important strategy. Take the time to tailor your resume so that your previous work experience seems more relevant to the role. The descriptions of your prior experiences should include information that would be relevant to the role or industry you're applying for. The tips mentioned above are also very useful to employ on your LinkedIn profile. Recruiters will often search LinkedIn to find talent, sorting by location and industry, or using specific job titles. The more specific and tailored your LinkedIn profile is, the more likely a recruiter working at a company in your desired industry is to reach out to you.

Remote Work Experience Matters More Than Ever

COVID-19 has obviously made a major impact on the job market as of late. Given this, it's important to show your value working on a remote team. If you have experience working remotely, or even working with a manager or colleague virtually, highlighting it on your resume or application will let employers know that you're prepared and able to handle working in a remote environment. Experience with video conferencing technology, such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Skype, along with other virtual communication tools like Slack, are also helpful to showcase while applying for jobs that will likely be "work from home" for the foreseeable future. Additionally, project and productivity management tools, such as Asana and Trello, are increasingly useful during periods of remote work, as they allow companies to have virtual insight into the productivity of their employees. Incorporating your proficiency in these tools on your resume or application is a simple way to demonstrate your value to a company that is working fully remotely.

Attempting to find an entry-level role in tech during a global pandemic might seem like a daunting task, but it's certainly not impossible. While many companies have enacted hiring freezes, there are still many great opportunities across the tech industry for recent grads. Doing your research, tailoring your resume, and updating your LinkedIn profile are all simple tasks that will help you stand out to employers. If you're interested in working at an exciting startup in the mobile field, check out Sensor Tower's careers page to learn more about our open roles across all teams, or reach out to our recruiting team directly at recruiting@sensortower.com.