Top 10 Effective Job Hunting Strategies for Tulsa Tech Professionals

If you're trying to level up your career in the Tulsa scene, networking should be at the top of your list. This city's got a killer tech vibe with all kinds of dope opportunities to make connections and build your network.

According to the stats, over 75% of Oklahoma pros credited networking as the key to scoring their current gigs. Local squads like Techlahoma and Tulsa Web Devs host regular meetups where you can kick it with industry peers, swap tech talk, and maybe even land your next role.

Here are some must-attend events to mark on your calendar:

• Connect with tech pros - Techlahoma Tech Fest 2024 (September 12-14) brings all the tech geeks together for workshops, hackathons, and prime networking sessions.
• Stay updated with trends - Tulsa Web Devs Monthly Meetup (August 22) lets you link up with fellow web devs and stay fresh on the latest trends and tools.
• Engage with local professionals - TYPROS networking events host frequent meetups to help you connect with the local scene.

Like Steve Gillmor said in his book "Traction", "Networking isn't just about connecting people. It's about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities."

By staying active in Tulsa's tech community, you're opening doors to collaborate, level up your skills, and maybe even unlock your next career milestone.

Just remember to bring your A-game and make those connections.

In this fast-moving digital world, upskilling and staying ahead of the game is a must.

Lucky for us in Tulsa, we've got Tulsa Community College (TCC) hooking us up with the skills to crush it! With their diverse tech courses, TCC helps us bridge those pesky skill gaps, adapt to the latest trends, and unlock exciting new career opportunities.

According to a recent survey, over 65% of us grown-up learners are all about gaining job-related skills.

TCC's tech programs have got our backs. They cover everything from cybersecurity and coding to web development and cloud computing. Seriously, it's a goldmine of knowledge!

TCC understands our busy lives, offering evening and online classes to fit our hectic schedules.

As the wise Brian Tracy said,

"Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field."

By tapping into TCC's lifelong learning opportunities, us Tulsa tech pros can stay at the top of our game.

A whopping 87% of employers believe continual skill development is crucial for their workforce's success.

TCC's programs bridge that gap between industry demands and our professional capabilities like a boss. Whether you're a seasoned vet or a fresh face in the game, TCC's got your back with the high-quality education you need to thrive in Tulsa's ever-evolving tech scene.

Hey, check this out – Tulsa's got a seriously cool program called Tulsa Remote that's shaking things up in the tech world.

It's all about attracting rad remote workers to the city by offering a killer $10,000 grant and a ton of awesome perks.

I mean, who wouldn't want to get paid just to live and work in a chill city like Tulsa?

According to the latest stats from August 2024, this program has already welcomed over 3,000 talented remote workers from all over the place, giving Tulsa's tech scene a massive boost.

And 90% of them stick around even after their first year, thanks to the incredible sense of community they've built.

But it's not just about the cash – Tulsa Remote hooks you up with a ton of rad benefits.

You get access to sick coworking spaces, networking events where you can meet like-minded folks, and even wellness perks to keep your mind and body fresh. Plus, you get to enjoy all the cool stuff Tulsa has to offer, from its vibrant arts and culture scene to its awesome outdoor activities.

Seriously, people who've joined are raving about how it's transformed their lives.

Thomas Harris said, "Tulsa Remote has truly impacted my life. It's allowed me to relocate to a new city that feels like home and checks all the boxes of things that are important to me." And Sarah Johnson, a business owner, said the real treasure is the awesome community that embraces you with open arms.

So many remote workers from major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York are flocking to Tulsa.

With a program like Tulsa Remote offering an unbeatable combo of professional opportunities, financial incentives, and an amazing quality of life, it's quickly becoming the remote work capital of the U.S.

Job hunting ain't no joke, especially in the tech world. But guess what? LinkedIn is here to be your wingman. This platform is straight-up fire, connecting you with potential employers and letting you flex your skills to the max.

For all you techies out there in Tulsa, having a killer LinkedIn profile is an absolute must.

Start by making sure it's complete AF, with a slick headshot, a headline that grabs attention, and a summary that screams, "Hire me!" Sprinkle in those relevant keywords too, so recruiters can find you like a needle in a haystack.

But here are some insider tips to optimize your LinkedIn game and stand out in Tulsa's tech scene:

1. Join the Squad: Tulsa has a bunch of active tech groups on LinkedIn, like the Tulsa Technology Community and the Green Country Developers Guild. Join the crew, connect with fellow techies, and stay in the loop about local events. It's a great way to show off your knowledge too!
2. Stay Active: Don't be a ghost on LinkedIn. Engage with your connections by liking, commenting, and sharing dope content. It'll boost your visibility and prove you're passionate about the tech world.
3. Get Endorsed: Ask your colleagues and managers to endorse your key skills and write glowing recommendations. These endorsements and recs are like a stamp of approval, boosting your credibility and making you stand out from the crowd.

By building a fire LinkedIn profile and staying active in the online tech community, you'll increase your chances of landing that dream job in Tulsa.

As the legendary career expert Rita Byers says, "Your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume, so make it unforgettable in today's competitive job market."

Let's talk about leveling up your tech game in Tulsa! The Techlahoma Foundation is where it's at if you wanna build connections and grow your skills.

This nonprofit is all about nurturing the local tech community, and they've got a ton of dope opportunities for you to get involved.

Check it out - volunteering with Techlahoma is a major power move.

You can mentor aspiring coders, organize workshops, or even plan hackathons. It's not just a resume booster, but a chance to showcase your expertise and network like a boss.

Sarah Miller, a software engineer at Genok Technologies, said volunteering as a mentor with Techlahoma's Code Club program was a game-changer for her career.

"It allowed me to hone my leadership and communication skills while giving back to the community. The connections I made through this experience ultimately led to my current role at Genok."

But that's not all! Techlahoma hosts a ton of networking events throughout the year, like the Techlahoma Startup series, Tech After 5 meetups, and the epic OKC & Tulsa Tech Fest.

These events are the perfect opportunity to connect with industry leaders, learn about the latest trends, and expand your professional circle. Last year alone, Techlahoma facilitated over 200 networking events across Oklahoma, with an average of 75 tech enthusiasts at each one.

By getting involved with Techlahoma, you'll gain access to a supportive community that fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and career growth.

Here are some key ways to get started:

• Attend monthly meetups and speaker events - Participate regularly to build your network and stay informed about industry trends.
• Explore volunteering roles that match your interests - Leverage opportunities that align with your skills and passions to grow professionally.
• Join the relevant Techlahoma Slack channels - Engage with peers and experts by being part of active discussions.
• Participate in coding challenges and hackathons - Test your skills and learn through competitive and collaborative environments.
• Contribute to open-source projects hosted by Techlahoma - Enhance your portfolio and gain recognition in the tech community.

Embracing community involvement through Techlahoma can open doors to new opportunities, help you level up your skills, and solidify your position as a valuable asset in Tulsa's thriving tech landscape.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get involved!

Tulsa Tech Fest is like the ultimate party for tech geeks, and the 2024 edition is gonna be off the chain! Imagine this, over 5,000 people from all corners of the nation, coming together to show off their sick skills and make connections that could totally level up their careers.

According to the Tulsa Regional Chamber, 82% of past attendees said it was a game-changer for gaining insights and making relationships that helped them climb the ladder.

If you wanna put your name on the map, Tech Fest has a "Talent Showcase" where you can present your mind-blowing projects or research to the bigwigs and potential employers.

The Techlahoma Foundation even highlighted cases where people landed sweet gigs or scored major deals just by flexing their talents at previous fests.

But it's not just about showing off, Tech Fest is like a networking gold mine.

The "Mentor Lounge" lets you pick the brains of industry vets who can share insider tips and career advice. And you'll have the chance to learn from experts at tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft through interactive workshops and panel discussions.

Karen Harris, CEO of Tulsa Innovation Labs, summed it up perfectly,

"Tech Fest is where ideas clash, collaborations spark, and careers soar."

Here are the major highlights for Tulsa Tech Fest 2024:

• Over 50 expert-led workshops and seminars that provide in-depth learning opportunities.
• Dedicated career fair with 100+ tech companies hiring talented individuals.
• Participate in the Startup Pitch Competition with a $50,000 grand prize.
• Engage in hands-on coding challenges and hackathons to test your skills.
• Join exclusive networking events to mix and mingle with like-minded professionals.

With so much packed into one event, Tech Fest is a surefire way to level up your skills, make connections that matter, and unlock new opportunities in the Tulsa tech scene and beyond.

Tulsa Innovation Labs is all about bringing the future to our city. Founded in 2020, these guys are leading the charge in making Tulsa a total tech powerhouse.

They've got programs for everyone – startups, established companies, and anyone trying to break into the tech scene.

One of their coolest offerings is coworking spaces where you can connect with other tech enthusiasts, get access to cutting-edge resources, and seriously level up your productivity.

Plus, they've got initiatives like startup accelerators, talent pipelines linking you with coding bootcamps and universities, and innovation challenges for solving real-world problems.

These folks have already helped launch over 50 startups and raised a crazy $30 million in funding!

The real game-changer is their latest project – the Tulsa Hub for Equitable and Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA).

With a $51 million grant from the government, THETA is going to cement Tulsa as a global leader in autonomous systems like drones, self-driving cars, and robotics.

They're creating an AI center to give underserved communities access to this future tech, expanding workforce training, and building state-of-the-art testing facilities.

It's a total game-changer that's going to create thousands of high-paying jobs right here in Tulsa!

In this day and age, having a killer resume is crucial if you want to score a dope tech gig in T-Town.

Luckily, the homies at the University of Tulsa Career Services have your back. These know what it takes to make your resume pop and stand out from the crowd.

First up, you can book one-on-one sessions with their career counselors who will give you the real deal on how to highlight your mad tech skills, projects, and achievements.

They'll make sure your resume is on point and ready to impress potential employers. Plus, they host regular workshops that cover all the industry-specific tricks for crafting a bomb resume, from formatting to keyword optimization.

You also get access to a sweet collection of professionally designed resume templates tailored specifically for tech roles.

No more struggling with outdated templates or spending hours trying to make your resume look slick. Just pick your favorite and let your skills do the talking.

According to a study by TopResume, job seekers who used professional resume writing services were 60% more likely to score an interview.

That's a massive advantage. The University of Tulsa Career Services knows their stuff when it comes to helping you crush it with your resume. They'll guide you on highlighting your in-demand tech skills, certifications, programming languages, and quantifying your achievements in a way that'll make recruiters sit up and take notice.

In a city like Tulsa, where the tech scene is blowing up, having a standout resume is non-negotiable.

With the help of the University of Tulsa Career Services, you'll be one step closer to landing your dream tech job and living your best life.

Joining the Tulsa Regional Chamber is a game-changer for tech pros looking to level up their careers in the 918. This powerhouse organization opens the door to a goldmine of resources and connections tailored for the tech scene.

According to a recent survey, over 85% of Tulsa's techies say the Chamber helped them grow professionally and climb the ladder.

One of the biggest perks is getting access to the Chamber's massive network of industry bosses, entrepreneurs, and like-minded techies.

They host a ton of events like luncheons, workshops, and seminars where you can make valuable connections and stay in the loop on the latest trends. David Jackson, a software developer, gushed, "The Tulsa Chamber has been clutch for expanding my professional circle, leading to collaborations and mentorship opportunities that have seriously accelerated my career."

On top of that, the Chamber's Resource Center is stacked with tools to help tech pros crush it, like:

• Business intelligence and market research
• Professional development workshops and certifications
• Customized training programs for leveling up your skills
• Access to industry-specific data and analytics

This wealth of resources keeps tech pros ahead of the curve and adaptable in the ever-changing tech landscape.

According to the Chamber's 2023 Impact Report, members reported a 16% productivity boost and a 22% improvement in business efficiency after tapping into these resources.

Additionally, the Tulsa Chamber goes all-in on fostering an environment that fuels innovation and entrepreneurship.

Initiatives like the annual TulsaTech Pitch Competition and the Tulsa Innovators Network give tech pros a platform to showcase their killer ideas, score funding, and team up with industry mentors.

Success stories are popping off, with startups like CyberShield and DataViz gaining major traction thanks to the Chamber's support.

Alright, tech gurus! If you're hunting for that sweet new gig in Tulsa's tech scene, you gotta stay on top of your game. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) is your squad goals for staying informed about all the latest job openings and industry intel.

These guys know what's popping - tech jobs in Oklahoma are projected to blow up by 18% in the next five years, with cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development leading the charge.

OESC has this dope job search portal where you can:

• Explore job openings across the state to find your ideal match.
• Set up alerts for roles that align with your career aspirations.
• Access career tips to enhance your job search strategy.

OESC drops some serious knowledge with their industry reports and regional data on tech trends, salaries, and workforce projections.

Stay ahead of the curve and align your skills with what's hot, just like Joseph Jackson, a senior software engineer in Tulsa, who says:

"Keeping tabs on OESC's industry insights has been invaluable for me. It helped me identify the hottest tech skills and tailor my professional development accordingly."

And if that's not enough, OESC hooks you up with career services like:

• Resume critiques and interview preparation to polish your application.
• Skill assessments and training recommendations to boost your competencies.
• Career counseling and job fair information to connect with opportunities.

Leverage these resources and you'll be landing that dream tech role in Tulsa in no time.

Don't sleep on OESC, my friends! Oh, and don't forget to check out Nucamp's Job Hunting Bootcamp for even more job search game.