Plenty of job-seekers coming from non-tech backgrounds see tech firms as insurmountable mountains. They believe you need to be a pro at all things computer-related just to get inside the door – but that’s merely a myth.
Firstly, the “tech” part of a tech firm is often constrained to the product areas, while the rest of the company functions like any other, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds and skills. This phenomenon is amplified further by the immense growth of tech-related industries, which has only further boosted hiring rates.
Secondly, tech firms are often the most susceptible to the idea of career reinvention, as they know first-hand how the status quo requires continuous innovation from individuals and businesses alike. Considering how quickly tech trends change in this digital era, tech firms are unlikely to mind that you are on a steep learning curve yourself – in fact, they will demand it.
All in all, applying to tech firms may offer you not only greater odds of scoring a job, but potentially the ideal workplace environment in which to start your career.
There’s room (and need) for everyone
Let’s take VTEX for example. Established in Brazil twenty years ago, the company powers over 3,000 customers spread across 42 different countries, including global brands such as Sony, Motorola, Samsung, Stanley Black & Decker and Muji. Hundreds of employees, albeit currently working remotely, are ascribed to 16 offices in locations such as London, New York, Barcelona and, most recently, Singapore.
For such a mammoth operation to run successfully, a myriad of internal roles are necessary. Indeed, a big chunk are tech-related. A small army of engineers is handling everything from payment integrations (you know, the likes of Klarna or Samsung Pay) to marketplace integrations (e.g. Amazon). Others are juggling the popularity of headless commerce, or ensuring the platform’s architecture is scalable and stable enough to withstand big retail events like Black Friday, or even innovating with tools like an AI-driven search engine. Thus, if you actually know a thing or two about programming, there are countless opportunities to build the future of commerce and to power unique projects like a marketplace for cannabis-based products, online shopping malls or digitalising a B2B giant. Similarly, many firms nowadays offer accessible training programs and internships in attempts to diversify the workforce – who says that women can’t code?
Fret not if you’re not a programming-enthusiast, though! A well-oiled machine heavily depends on other disciplines too. For example, the sales and customer support areas are crucial – how else would the company win and maintain customers to stay alive and then grow? A finance team is also imperative, as is legal expertise, for all aspects concerning revenue, compensation, taxes, M&As, and everything else in between. Human resources is of utmost importance, too, as they are directly involved in talent acquisition and employee satisfaction. Marketers are equally significant, because they uncover new opportunities and promote the company with the help of writers and designers. Looking further afield, we also have translators engaged in all processes, ensuring that multiple audiences can be approached and included in the conversation.
The list of areas can go on. What unites employees in a tech firm is not the knowledge of open-source programming language, but rather the genuine interest in the digital field coupled with the boldness to actively build upon it. Bottomline is, the more the company grows, the more diversity it will need to prosper – whether it be in roles, backgrounds, nationalities, seniority, or education levels. Tasks and goals of teams align with one another, accelerating the greater fulfilment of the firm – and that’s really all we can hope for.
Marketing Associate at VTEX
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