When applying for IT graduate roles at technology companies, showing a genuine passion for technology is crucial. This applies to both technical and non-technical positions, as companies want employees who can be strong ambassadors for their products.
Understanding Passion for Technology
According to a graduate recruiter at IBM, ‘Passion is about deliberately bringing technology into your own life or the lives of others, and not just using it because it’s there.’ This means that applicants need to demonstrate how they’ve actively engaged with technology in meaningful ways.
For Those Without a Tech Background
If you don’t have a technology-related degree or extensive tech experience, you might think it’s challenging to show your passion for technology. However, everyone has some experience with technology. The key is recognizing where your experiences lie.
- Reflect on how technology improves your life: Consider how you’ve adopted and used technology in interesting ways. For example, using wearable tech to enhance your fitness or being impressed by the convenience of smartphone apps for tasks like paying for car parking.
- Think about sharing technology with others: When you’re passionate about something, you want to share it. Perhaps you’ve taught a family member how to use technology to simplify their life, like ordering groceries online.
Once you’ve identified these experiences, explain why they’ve made you want to work in technology. Make a clear connection between the benefits you’ve enjoyed from technology and your career aspirations.
For Those With a Tech Background
If you have a tech background, it’s not enough to just list your skills and knowledge. You need to show how you’ve applied them.
- Demonstrate applied skills: Instead of just stating that you know certain programming languages, explain how you’ve used them to develop solutions to problems.
- Provide detailed, personal examples: Share specific instances where you’ve used your technical skills to solve a problem or create something new. If you’ve taught yourself certain skills, explain why you chose to do so and what it meant to you.
Key Advice
- Be genuine: Don’t exaggerate your interest or experiences, as these are likely to be discussed further in interviews.
- Make clear connections: Between your experiences with technology and your desire to work in the tech industry.
- Use specific examples: Whether you’re showcasing how you’ve used technology or how you’ve shared it with others, specific examples will make your application stronger.
By following these tips, you can effectively demonstrate your passion for technology in your IT graduate application, regardless of your background.
