How to Stand Out in Tech Job Applications (Even Without a Tech Degree)

A lot of people still believe that the only way into the tech industry is through a computer science degree. That’s outdated thinking. Tech companies hire for skills, results, and problem-solving ability not just diplomas. According to CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce report, nearly half of U.S. tech workers don’t have a computer science or IT degree. [1] 

As of January 2024, more than half (52%) of U.S. job postings on Indeed did not include any formal education requirement, up from 48% in 2019. Meanwhile, the share requiring a bachelor’s degree dropped from 20.4% to 17.8% in that timeframe. This shift spans nearly every occupational sector, especially in tech-adjacent fields like software development and information design. [2] 

You don’t need to code in your sleep to land a tech role, what you need is a clear strategy. And if you’re willing to put in the work to position your skills right, you can compete head-to-head with degree holders.

Identify Your Transferable Skills

If you’re moving into tech from another industry, your first step is to figure out what you already bring to the table. Don’t dismiss your past experience just because it wasn’t in a “tech” job. 

Many core skills, like problem-solving, communication, and project management, are just as valuable at a tech company as they are anywhere else. In fact, a report shows that these soft skills consistently rank alongside technical skills for hiring managers. [3] 

Think about how your past roles translate. Worked in customer service? You have been collecting user feedback and enhancing customer experiences, which is precisely what user experience (UX) teams focus on. Came from marketing? You understand audience behavior and growth strategies, which are gold for product teams. Skills like analytical thinking, creative problem-solving, and communication are among the top skills employers will prioritize through 2027, even in tech-heavy roles. [4] 

The point is, you don’t need to throw away your old skill set, you need to reframe it so a tech recruiter sees the value instantly.

Build a Tech-Relevant Portfolio Without a Degree

If you want tech recruiters to take you seriously, you need proof you can do the work. A portfolio does that better than any résumé bullet point. Even without a tech degree, you can create one by completing small projects, volunteering for tech-related tasks, or contributing to open-source platforms. Employers want to see results they can click on, not just claims on paper.

Create a mock project, redesign a nonprofit’s website, or automate a process at your current job and document it. This shows initiative and problem-solving skills, two things tech hiring managers value highly. A CompTIA report found that employers often prioritize hands-on experience and demonstrable skills over formal credentials in tech hiring. [5] 

If you need to build your skills from scratch, invest your time in online learning. Platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer tech courses that include certificates you can add to your portfolio. Coursera partners with universities and top tech companies to provide job-relevant training. LinkedIn Learning integrates directly with your LinkedIn profile so your newly earned skills are visible to recruiters. 

Your goal here isn’t to collect random certificates, it’s to create a body of work that proves you can deliver.

Speak the Language of Tech Recruiters

If your résumé doesn’t match the language of the job description, you’re making it harder for recruiters to find you. Most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan for specific keywords from the posting. If they’re asking for “project management,” “SQL,” or “Agile,” those exact words need to appear in your résumé, naturally and in context. A Jobscan study found that 99% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software, which relies heavily on keyword matching. [6] 

Once you’ve got the right keywords, stop listing generic job duties. Recruiters want to see the impact you’ve made. Instead of “managed a team,” write “led a team of 5 to deliver a new CRM system two weeks ahead of schedule, improving customer response time by 30%.” A former Amazon recruiter adds that 86% of résumés lacked any quantifiable achievements, and she sees those as major missed opportunities to prove value. [7] 

Make it easy for both a robot and a human to see that you’re qualified.

Network Your Way In

If you’re applying to tech jobs by just sending résumés into online portals, you’re competing with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of other applicants. That’s a slow game. You need to put yourself where tech people actually gather, both online and in person. Attend industry meetups, join webinars, and participate in LinkedIn events where you can interact directly with professionals in the field.

Don’t stop at showing up. Reach out to people already working in the role you want and ask for a 20-minute informational interview. This isn’t about asking for a job, it’s about learning what skills matter, what hiring managers look for, and how they got their foot in the door. 

People hire people they know, trust, and remember. Your goal is to become one of those people before a job even gets posted.

Address the “Degree” Question with Confidence

If someone brings up the fact that you don’t have a tech degree, don’t get defensive. Shift the conversation to what actually matters, your skills, your results, and your ability to learn fast. A 2022 report from Harvard Business Review found that employers are increasingly dropping degree requirements in favor of skills-based hiring because it expands the talent pool and brings in candidates who can perform just as well, if not better, than degree holders. [8] 

You can also point to the fact that some of the most influential people in tech never earned a traditional tech degree. Steve Jobs (Apple), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), and Jack Dorsey (Twitter/Square) all built their careers without finishing a formal computer science program. While you’re not expected to be the next billionaire founder, their paths prove that results and vision often outweigh credentials. A study found that skills-based hiring has grown 63% in the last five years for middle-skill and high-skill jobs, including tech roles. [9] 

Your Career Change is Possible

The tech industry is growing fast, and it’s not slowing down. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in computer and information technology occupations will grow 15% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. [10] That demand creates space for people who can solve problems, adapt, and deliver results—regardless of where they started.

Your unique mix of skills and experiences can be exactly what a tech employer needs. Many companies are intentionally diversifying their teams with professionals from different industries because it fuels innovation and better decision-making. [11] 

The tech industry values problem solvers, not just diplomas. Your unique background could be your biggest advantage. So start positioning your skills, build a portfolio that proves your value, and put yourself in the right rooms, both online and offline. The opportunities are there, but you have to show up for them.