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Getting a Job With No Experience

How to Get an IT Job With No Experience

You do not need a perfect background to get started in IT. This guide explains how to build evidence, choose a realistic first role, and take practical steps towards your first IT job in the UK.

10 min read
A person sitting at a desk using a laptop, to search for IT jobs.
A person sitting at a desk using a laptop, to search for IT jobs.

My many years of experience in the IT sector, particularly working closely with career changers, mean I can confidently say that you can get an IT job without experience. We speak to people every day who think IT is out of reach, when really they just need a clear, practical roadmap to guide their way into this exciting sector. 

No experience does not mean you have nothing to offer. It usually means you need to show your potential in other ways, through skills, proof of learning, and a structured plan.

In this guide, I’ll focus specifically on advice to help you get your first IT job, rather than covering tech careers more broadly. And if you’re still at the very start of your decision-making, our advice on getting a job with no experience will help give you the bigger picture first.

Written by

With four years at Learning People and a solid foundation in IT and Cybersecurity, Chris guides people through the fast-evolving tech landscape and into their dream jobs. He combines hands-on technical expertise with insider industry insights to help learners make informed career decisions.

Chris IdeTech, IT, & Cyber Career Consultant (Team Manager)
Chris Ide

Start by Understanding What “IT” Actually Covers

Before you apply for any positions, it helps to get clear on what IT actually covers. 

IT can include:

  • IT support

  • Service desk work

  • Infrastructure

  • Networking

  • Systems administration

  • Cloud support

  • Security support

IT is not the same as coding, data analytics, or project management. And honestly, not everyone wants a deeply technical role. Some people are far better suited to practical, people-facing positions. 

And if you’re already thinking about where your first role could lead, understanding how to become IT Specialist can be useful.

Person working at a desk using a computer, while taking notes in a notebook.
Starting a career in IT often begins with simple, practical steps such as learning the basics, building your skills, and staying consistent.

You Can Be Job-Ready Before You’ve Had an IT Job

One of the first things I explain to people wanting to get into IT is that employers are not always looking for years of paid experience. At entry-level, they are often looking for evidence that you can solve problems, communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and learn quickly.

Paid experience of course helps, but usable proof can take other forms. We see this all the time with people moving into IT from completely different backgrounds.

That proof might include:

  • Home lab practice

  • A CompTIA A+ or similar certification

  • Examples of troubleshooting you’ve done

  • Helping friends or family with devices

  • Customer service experience

  • Ticketing, documentation, or process-based work from previous jobs

I’d focus less on saying “I have no experience” and more on asking, “What proof can I show that I can do this kind of work?” This question usually helps people move forward much faster.

Fact: The Median UK Salary For IT Technician Roles Is £30,000

According to IT Jobs Watch, for 2026 (so far) in the UK, the median annual salary for IT Technician roles is £30,000.

For people starting out, that gives a more grounded picture of what an entry-level IT route can pay once you get your foot in the door. Your first IT job will most likely not be your final destination, but it can still offer a solid starting salary while helping you build experience and confidence.

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Make Your Background Work for You

A lot of career changers underestimate how useful their existing experience can be. Don't dismiss your current expertise just because it does not come from an IT department. 

Transferable soft skills you can bring to IT from previous roles include:

  • Retail: customer service and calm problem-solving

  • Admin: organisation and documentation

  • Hospitality: working under pressure

  • Teaching: explaining things clearly

  • Warehouse or logistics: process, accuracy, and consistency

We often remind people that your first IT role is not about proving you have done everything before. It is about showing that you already have habits and strengths that fit the role, and that you are ready to build the technical side alongside them.

Student Success Stories

Hear from IT student, Zac

Previously feeling stuck in a retail job with no future, Zac contacted Learning People to explore a career in IT. After being reassured that his existing skills and experience would easily transfer to this new sector, he enrolled with us. After completing a series of CompTIA qualifications, and with Career Services' expert guidance, he secured his first role in IT as a Systems Administrator.

Pick an Entry Route 

A lot of people make choosing an entry route harder than it needs to be by applying for every IT job they can find. I understand applicants might think that this increases their chances, but it usually just leads to weaker applications. You are far more likely to make progress if you focus on one realistic starting point and build around that.

For most beginners, that means targeting roles such as:

  • Service Desk Analyst

  • IT Support Technician

  • Junior Network Support

  • other entry-level technical support roles

Once you’ve picked a route, you can make better decisions about what to study, which certifications make sense, how to practise, and what kinds of jobs to apply for. That is usually where things start to feel more manageable.

If you’re weighing up whether now is the right time to start, it’s also worth understanding why getting qualified now is a better time than ever for your tech career.

Build the Skills Employers Expect in Entry-Level IT Roles

Once you know the kind of IT job you want to aim for, the next step is building the right foundation. Don't try to learn everything at once - it is far more useful to start with the basics employers expect in entry-level roles.

That usually includes:

  • Hardware and software fundamentals

  • Operating systems

  • Networking basics

  • Security awareness

  • Troubleshooting

But technical knowledge on its own is not enough. Data repeatedly shows that tech roles should be a 50/50 balance of technical skills and human touch. It is very important to communicate clearly, stay patient, take useful notes, and explain technical issues in simple language, especially in many support IT roles. 

In other words, the strongest candidates tend to combine technical understanding with good people skills. If you are looking for a structured way to build those foundations, exploring IT courses can be a useful place to start.

Fact: 43% Of UK Digital Skills Gaps Come From Basic Skills

The UK Employer Skills Survey found that basic Microsoft Office skills (30%) and foundation digital skills (16%) together accounted for 43% of all digital skills gaps.

In other words, employers are still struggling with practical day-to-day digital capability, not just advanced technical expertise. That is encouraging if you are just starting out. It shows that building strong fundamentals still has real value, and can set you apart even from people who have been in IT for years.

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Take a Focused Approach to Applications and Interviews

Once you’ve started building the right skills for the IT role you want, the next step is to turn that effort into focused applications. Target entry-level IT roles that genuinely fit your current level and show clearly why you are a good match.

Use the language in the job description where it is honest and relevant. Show the evidence you’ve built through learning, hands-on practice, and transferable skills from previous roles. It also helps to stay active where these opportunities tend to appear, including LinkedIn, job boards, and recruiters who work on entry-level tech roles.

At interview stage, employers often look closely at attitude, problem-solving, customer focus, and willingness to learn. Prepare a few examples that show how you’ve handled pressure, picked up something new, solved an issue, or helped someone practically. You do not need to know everything. You just need to come across as capable and ready to learn.

Final Thoughts: Focus on Learning, Progress, and a Realistic First Step

You do not need the perfect background to get started in IT. I’ve seen people come into this space from all sorts of industries, and what usually matters most is having a clear target, putting visible effort into the right skills, and being patient with the process. 

Your first IT role does not need to be your dream job. It just needs to be a realistic first step that helps you build experience and momentum.

And if you want help figuring out the best route into IT for you, you can book a free consultation with one of our career experts to talk through your options.

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