How to Switch from a Non-Tech Background to a Tech Job in Peru

Peru's tech scene is blowing up like crazy! The software industry grew a massive 10.8% between 2010 and 2017, raking in nearly $397 million in 2017 alone.

The country's IT industry was set for a whopping 9% growth in 2021, one of the highest in Latin America according to TECLA's report.

With tech giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon opening offices in Lima, it's clear that Peru's digital future is scorching hot.

If you're looking to make a career pivot, now's the time to hop on the tech train and ride that wave to success! Check out Nucamp's guides on landing remote tech jobs, must-have skills, and job-hunting strategies to get started on your epic career transition today!

The tech scene in Peru is absolutely lit right now! We're talking major growth, with the industry expected to blow up by a massive 15.3% in 2024 according to APESOFT. Investments are pouring in like crazy, especially in hot areas like AI, big data, and cloud computing.

If you're looking to make a career switch, now's the time to get in on the action.

So what skills are employers drooling over? Here's the scoop:

1. Cloud Computing: With a projected 23% yearly spike, companies can't get enough cloud architects and engineers to help them go full cloud mode.
2. Data Science: Data is the new gold, so data scientists, analysts, and engineers are an absolute must-have for businesses trying to cash in on those sweet, sweet insights.
3. Cybersecurity: As everything goes digital, cybersecurity pros are in high demand to keep sensitive data and systems locked down tight.
4. Software Development: Full-stack devs, especially those who know their way around Java, Python, and React, are being scooped up left and right across all kinds of industries.

Speaking of industries, check out these major players leading the charge in Peru's tech revolution:

Company	Industry	Headquarters
Globant	Software Development	San Isidro
Accenture	IT Services	Lima
IBM	Technology & Consulting	Lima
Everis Peru	IT Consulting	Lima

As William Davis, the big boss at OmniLife Peru, put it, "The tech revolution is reshaping our nation, creating unprecedented opportunities for those willing to embrace continuous learning and upskill in emerging technologies." Sounds like a challenge we were born to take on, right?

Peru's got a ton of sweet options if you're looking to level up your tech skills and score a new job. The top universities like Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos are strong with their engineering and IT programs.

Can't go wrong with those!

But if you need to get job-ready fast, coding bootcamps are excellent. Places like Ubiqum Code Academy and Le Wagon offer crash courses in web dev, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

According to the folks at Course Report, bootcamp grads in Peru can expect a 55% salary boost after finishing up.

Online learning is huge too. Platforms like Platzi, Udemy, and Coursera have many tech courses in Spanish.

83% of Peruvian tech companies think online training is key for their workforce.

Of course, continuous learning is crucial if you wanna stay ahead of the game.

Certifications are a must-have, with top ones like Certified Associate in Project Management, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Ethical Hacker, and Professional Scrum Master being highly valued by Peruvian employers.

As David Perez, CTO of fintech company Ōlli, put it,

"In our fast-paced industry, pros need to constantly upskill and prove their expertise through legit certifications. It's how you stay competitive and future-proof your career."

If you're looking to land a sick tech job in Peru, you gotta have a killer portfolio that shows off your skills.

According to this video from Codecademy, building a solid portfolio is a game-changer when it comes to impressing recruiters and hiring managers.

It's like your chance to flex your coding muscles and prove you've got what it takes to crush those tech challenges.

Now, when it comes to picking projects for your portfolio, think about tackling problems that are relevant to the Peruvian market.

For instance, you could build an e-commerce site tailored to local businesses, complete with mobile-friendly design, secure payment options, and Spanish language support.

Or, you could develop a logistics management system to streamline supply chain operations for Peru's booming export industry. Oh, and don't forget about the importance of data analysis – maybe whip up a solution that helps farmers optimize crop yields or connect with buyers.

But it's not just about the projects themselves; it's also about how you present them.

According to Peruvian tech recruiters, you want to highlight your problem-solving skills and show how your work addresses real-world challenges faced by Peruvian businesses or communities.

Plus, demonstrating an understanding of Peru's diverse cultural landscape and how your solutions cater to local preferences can give you a serious edge. And let's not forget about teamwork – Peruvian employers dig collaboration, so be sure to include group projects that showcase your ability to work effectively with others.

According to Joseph Martinez, building a solid portfolio is a game-changer when it comes to impressing recruiters and hiring managers.

1. The importance of a portfolio: Build a killer portfolio to show off your skills.
2. Relevant projects: Tackle problems relevant to the Peruvian market.
3. Effective presentation: Highlight problem-solving skills and local cultural understanding.
4. Teamwork: Showcase your ability to work effectively with others through group projects.

Networking is the name of the game if you wanna snag a dope tech job in Peru.

Lima's tech scene is poppin' with meetups and communities like LimaDev – we're talking over 15,000 members! Hitting up their monthly events and workshops is the move to connect with industry bosses, stay up-to-date with the latest trends, and get the inside scoop on the job market.

Other solid communities to link up with are Python Peru, Google Developer Group Peru, and Women Who Code Lima.

When it comes to the job hunt, leverage those job search websites to streamline your grind.

According to SimilarWeb, the top three job portals in Peru are Bumeran (bumeran.com.pe), Computrabajo (computrabajo.com.pe), and Aptitus (aptitus.com), with monthly visits ranging from 1.5 million to 3 million.

These platforms are stacked with tech job listings, from software engineering to data analysis roles, across various industries and companies. And let's not forget about LinkedIn – with over 3 million Peruvian users as of 2023, it's a powerhouse for networking and job searching.

But the tea on networking in the Peruvian tech scene: understanding the cultural vibe can give you a serious edge.

According to a study by Sidanne, a top recruitment firm in Peru, these tips are clutch:

• Build genuine connections: Peruvians value personal relationships over purely transactional interactions. Engage in conversations beyond just job opportunities.
• Leverage personal networks: Word-of-mouth and referrals hold serious weight in the Peruvian job market. Reach out to your crew and acquaintances for potential leads.
• Demonstrate patience and persistence: Building trust and rapport in Peruvian professional circles can take time. Consistently follow up and maintain contact to stay top-of-mind.

First off, you gotta show that you've got the skills to pay the bills. Tech companies will likely throw some coding challenges or tests your way to see how you handle programming problems.

They might even quiz you on algorithms, data structures, and your areas of expertise, so brush up on that stuff.

But it's not just about the technical know-how; you also need to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and thought process.

Common interview questions will probe your experience with development tools and how you collaborate with others.

Daniel Garcia, a senior dev at Cabify Peru, suggests practicing coding challenges on sites like HackerRank and LeetCode.

He also emphasizes being familiar with the tech stack and tools used in your target role. And don't forget to be ready to walk through your previous projects, explaining your contributions and the technologies you used – that strong portfolio is crucial.

Of course, interview etiquette is essential too.

Punctuality is a big deal in Peruvian business culture, so don't be late. Dress professionally, and be prepared for some friendly small talk before diving into the nitty-gritty.

With the right preparation and attitude, you'll increase your chances of scoring that dream tech gig.