Belfast's tech community is like nothing else in the world. Vibrant, diverse, and bursting at the seams with new talent, IT is a field that's weathered the pandemic like no other. There's more demand than ever for professional IT careers, jobs in cybersecurity, and expert developers to fill the ever-growing list of skilled jobs on the Northern Ireland IT market.
While the pandemic has stopped in-person socialising and events, how else has the Belfast tech community changed and evolved due to COVID-19? From virtual meetups to career moves, we take a look at how the landscape of IT careers and developer jobs in Belfast has changed – for better or for worse.
The rise of remote working and virtual interviews
For thousands of IT professionals in Belfast, COVID saw a brand-new shift from in-office working to full-time WFH. For many IT workers, developers and cybersecurity experts, getting out of the office and working remotely have proven to be an unexpected perk of the pandemic. Offering a quieter, more suitable working environment than an open-plan office or hot seats could ever provide.
The flip side of this change can be seen in Belfast IT companies' hiring processes. Video meetings are the new in-person interview. This means the need to perform in a suit in an unfamiliar boardroom or office is no longer a factor in the interview process. Instead, developers and IT professionals can allow their skills to shine through – allowing for a more unbiased and effective hiring process for all involved.
Online communities replacing in-person meetups
Belfast is well-known for its exciting and bustling tech scene. From the popular Women Who Code Belfast https://www.meetup.com/Women-Who-Code-Belfast/ to Ministry of Testing https://www.meetup.com/Ministry-of-Testing-Belfast and DevOps Belfast https://www.meetup.com/DevOps-Belfast/events, countless tech groups have embraced the digital medium to continue creating a sense of community.
If you've not been able to attend tech meetups or communities in person before, this digital move is the perfect low-pressure way to get involved. With a range of organisations to try, any budding programmer, developer or UX designer will be able to find a group to connect to during COVID-19. If you're looking to network for a career in development or cybersecurity, now's your chance.
New doors opening with exciting career opportunities
One unexpected positive that's come out of the pandemic is that the tech scene in Belfast is thriving more than ever before – and that makes today the perfect time to make an IT job move that could make a massive difference to your future career. Whether you've spent time upskilling or continued working as usual from home, there are more jobs out there than you might think.
If you're ready to consider a move to another company, our expert team is the best place to start. With hundreds of opportunities for cybersecurity careers in Belfast, data science jobs, developer roles and more, we can point you in the right direction and find you the next steppingstone for your successful career. Get in touch today to find out more.
