From Teaching to Tech

Switching careers can be daunting, especially if it’s from a profession like teaching, that you’ve dedicated so much time into training and taking on the responsibility of 30+ children from the hours of 08:00 – 15:00. However, according to a study by the National Education Union, 41% of teachers describe their work-load as “un-manageable” and 92% said that pay was a stress factor and for the second year running, 40,000 teachers have quit the profession.

While the Government works with unions and the public sector, many feel that it’s time to look for roles where they can transfer their skills and secure a career with more tangible development and financial security. Our DevOps consultant, Jack Lugg, is no different. Joining us a year ago after years working as a primary school teacher, Jack dives into transition from teaching to recruitment in the tech industry…

From Teaching to Tech…

Having recently completed my first 12 months in the world of Technology recruitment, having transitioned from my previous career as a Primary School Teacher. I thought it would a good opportunity to look back and highlight the similarities and differences as well as ways in which the move from Times Tables to Terraform, can be made that little bit more smoothly.

Understanding the Similarities

Communication Skills

Teaching is fundamentally about communication. Educators must convey information in a way that is digestible for the age group they are teaching, manage classroom dynamics, and interact with parents and colleagues. Similarly, tech recruiters need to articulate job roles, understand candidates’ experiences, and communicate company values effectively.

Empathy and Relationship Building

Teachers build relationships with students, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and helping them grow. In tech recruitment, building rapport with candidates, understanding their career aspirations, and matching them with the right opportunities is crucial.

Assessing Talent

Teachers assess students’ progress through various forms of evaluation. Recruiters evaluate candidates’ skills and fit for a role through CVs, interviews, and technical assessments. The ability to identify potential and nurture talent is a common thread.

Preparing for the Transition

Gain Industry Knowledge

The tech industry has its own jargon, trends, and requirements. Start by familiarising yourself with basic technical concepts and the latest industry trends. Having little previous technical knowledge before taking up this role, spending time trying to understand the common DevOps Engineering terms such as Kubernetes, CI/CD and Microservices, helped the flow of the initial candidate qualification calls that I made.

Develop Recruitment Skills

While teaching provides a strong foundation in many relevant skills, specific recruitment techniques need to be learned. Consider taking the time to follow Industry leaders, read books or blogs, recently I have started to listening to Recruitment Podcasts which has given a great insight into other people’s journeys and how they went about continually trying to develop their expertise.

Networking

Leverage your existing network and build new connections within the tech industry. Attend industry conferences or join LinkedIn groups. Networking can open doors to job opportunities and provide insights into the recruitment process.

Embracing New Challenges

Understanding Technical Roles

Tech recruitment involves filling roles that require specific technical skills. Understanding job descriptions, required technologies, and the nuances of various roles is essential. Collaborate with hiring managers and technical leads to gain a deeper understanding of the roles you are recruiting for.

Emphasising Transferable Skills

Highlight your teaching skills that are directly transferable to recruitment. Your experience in managing diverse groups, conflict resolution, and mentoring can set you apart from other candidatess.

Thinking of a career in recruitment?

Transitioning from teaching to technology recruitment is a journey that leverages your existing strengths while challenging you to grow in new areas. By understanding the similarities, preparing for the unique aspects of recruitment, and embracing the tech industry’s dynamic nature, you can make a successful shift from the classroom to the Technology world. The key lies in continuous learning, building a network, and confidently transferring your skills to this new and exciting career path.

Want to learn more about working in recruitment and whether it’s the right career for you? Message our Operations Manager, Sally Morrison.

Looking for DevOps specialists to help build out your dev team? Get in touch with Jack Lugg by emailing jacklugg@formularecruitment.co.uk or calling +44 2039 407 464.