How to Get an IT Job With No Experience (USA Guide)

The sections below explain each step.

• Step 1: Choose one entry path, such as help desk and IT support, QA testing, data or cloud.
• Step 2: Learn the core skills for that path before you apply.
• Step 3: Earn one beginner certification that matches your path.
• Step 4: Build a few small projects or a home lab that employers can see.
• Step 5: Write an ATS-friendly resume and tailor it to each job ad.
• Step 6: Apply regularly, follow up, and practice for interviews.

Many people start their IT career in one of these roles. The pay figures are national median pay from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the closest occupation:

These are medians for all workers in each occupation, at every experience level. Entry-level pay is usually lower, and pay depends on your state, employer and skills. Junior data analyst and cloud support jobs are also common first roles, but BLS does not have a separate occupation for these job titles.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, median pay May 2025.

• Help desk or IT support specialist (BLS: computer user support specialists): $61,860 per year
• Network support technician (BLS: computer network support specialists): $76,220 per year
• QA tester or software tester (BLS: software quality assurance analysts and testers): $104,300 per year
• Junior web developer (BLS: web developers): $92,650 per year
• Junior systems administrator (BLS: network and computer systems administrators): $99,130 per year

Learn the basics of one path well instead of a little of everything. For help desk, start with Windows and macOS troubleshooting, networking basics and customer communication. For QA, learn manual testing, test cases and bug reports. For data, learn Excel and SQL. For cloud, learn Linux and networking basics, then one cloud platform. Our free guide IT Skills to Learn for Your First Tech Job explains each path in more detail.

A certification does not replace skills, but it shows employers that you studied a recognized standard. Choose one that matches your path:

Check the exam topics, price and rules on the official CompTIA, AWS, Microsoft or ISTQB website before you book an exam.

• Help desk and IT support: CompTIA A+
• Networking: CompTIA Network+
• Security basics: CompTIA Security+
• Cloud on AWS: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• Cloud on Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
• Software testing (QA): ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level
• Data and reporting: Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

Projects give you real examples to talk about in interviews. Keep each project small, finish it, and write a short README that explains the problem, the tools you used and what you learned. Ideas:

Put your projects on GitHub or in a simple online portfolio, and add the link to your resume.

• Help desk: build a home lab with a Windows Server virtual machine, set up Active Directory users and groups, and write down how you fixed common problems.
• QA: write test cases and bug reports for a public demo website, then automate a few tests with Selenium or Playwright.
• Data: clean a public data set, answer business questions with SQL, and build a simple dashboard in Power BI or Excel.
• Cloud: host a simple static website on AWS or Azure, and write down how you secured it and kept costs low.

Your resume should show your skills, projects and certifications near the top, use the same words as the job ad when they are true for you, and use a simple layout that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can read. Our free guide How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume for IT Jobs shows you how. If you prefer expert help, Ethic Leaf also offers an optional, paid Resume Revamp service (ethicleaf.com/shop/services/resume-revamp).

Then apply regularly. Search open roles on our IT jobs page (ethicleaf.com/it-and-technology-jobs), keep a simple list of where you applied, and follow up politely. For role guides, read How to Become an IT Support Technician and How to Become a Systems Administrator in the Career Progression section of Career Advice.

Entry-level IT interviews usually mix behavioral questions with simple technical questions. Prepare short stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), practice explaining how you would troubleshoot common problems, and be ready to walk through one of your projects step by step. Our free guide Technical Interview Preparation for IT Jobs has example questions for each path.

If you are an international student on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT, the same steps apply. OPT has its own rules, for example about your employment dates, reporting and how your job relates to your degree, and STEM OPT has extra employer requirements. These rules can change and depend on your situation, so confirm every question with your school's Designated School Official (DSO) before you accept a job. Ethic Leaf does not give immigration advice. When employers ask about your work authorization, answer honestly and keep your documents ready. You can register free with Ethic Leaf at ethicleaf.com/register.

• Can I get an IT job with no experience? Many people do, usually starting in help desk, IT support or QA testing roles. Without work experience, employers look for proof of skills, so build projects, earn one beginner certification and show both on your resume.
• Do I need a degree to work in IT? Not always. Many help desk and IT support job ads focus on skills and certifications. Some roles, such as many systems administrator jobs, usually ask for a bachelor's degree.
• Which IT certification should I get first? Pick the one that matches your path: CompTIA A+ for help desk, CompTIA Network+ for networking, ISTQB Foundation Level for QA, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals for cloud.
• Does Ethic Leaf guarantee a job? No. Registration for job seekers is free. Our resume, interview and training services are optional and paid separately, and no service guarantees a job or an interview.

Want structured, hands-on practice? Ethic Leaf offers optional, paid 1-on-1 IT training with real project work: ethicleaf.com/shop/services/skill-based-technical-training