How to Find a Telecommunications Job

The telecommunications field is fast-growing and rapidly changing. Careers in telecommunications draw on a whole range of skills and interests, from electronics to computer technology, from sales to data analysis. Here are some steps to follow to find a job in telecommunications.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a career direction. Decide whether you want an outdoor, physical job such as laying cable or stringing phone lines, or a computer or engineering job. Your goals may change as you see what's available in telecommunications, but pick a place to begin.

2. Complete your education. Most telecommunications jobs require at least a high school education or an associate's degree. Higher-level, more theoretical jobs may require postgraduate education. You can fill in the gaps by returning to school or enrolling in a specialized telecommunications program at a trade or vocational school.

3. Hone your skills. Parlay your knack for cracking computer code, your fearless approach to climbing high places, your fascination with fiber optics or your ability to sell ice to Greenlanders (or 100 more digital channels to viewers) into a telecommunications job with a future.

4. Use a variety of job search strategies. Apply for telecommunications jobs through online career sites like Monster or CareerBuilder. Check newspaper classifieds. Attend job fairs. Contact telecommunications companies in your area and ask who they're hiring. Shadow jobs or intern to learn as you go, Network with people you know in telecommunications industries. Use the full range of telecommunications—computer, phone, IMs—to land your telecommunications job.

Tips & Warnings

• Telecommunications is a rapidly changing field, so you stand the best chance of finding a job if your skills are constantly updated and your attitude is flexible.
• Consolidation in telecommunications industries sometimes means jobs are lost in mergers. Many telecommunications jobs are also outsourced overseas. Don't look for lifelong job security, but stay current so you are able to move from job to job as needed.

Resources

• Look for telecommunications jobs online.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.