Are you interested in getting your first job in the Microsoft Power Platform? If so, you’re in luck! There are plenty of opportunities, and you can land your dream job with the proper preparation. In this post, we will look at the following:
- Four reasons why a career in the Power Platform is a great idea
- Preparing your first Power Platform job
- How to find a Power Platform job
- Addressing the limiting beliefs and objections in your mind!
Four reasons why a career in the Power Platform is a great idea
- High earning potential: The demand for skilled Power Platform professionals has resulted in higher-than-average salaries in the industry. According to Payscale, the average salary for a Power Platform developer is around $87,000 per year, which can increase with experience and certifications.
- Variety of roles: The Power Platform is not limited to developers only. You can play various positions in the industry, such as citizen developer, business analyst, data analyst, project manager, consultant, and more. This means you can choose a role that best aligns with your strengths and interests.
- Future of work: As businesses embrace digital transformation and automation, the demand for Power Platform professionals will only increase. According to Gartner, low-code development platforms like the Power Platform will account for 65% of all app development by 2024. This means that the future of work will likely be dominated by low-code solutions, providing a wealth of opportunities for those with the skills to work with these platforms.
- Empowering work: The Power Platform enables you to create solutions that make a real difference in business operations. Whether you are developing a custom app to automate a workflow or building a dashboard to visualize data, your work can have a tangible impact on the organisation’s success.
Ok, so now we know the Power Platform is a good career choice, let’s look at the steps you can take to get started:
Preparing for your first Power Platform job
Start by learning the basics
Before starting working with the Power Platform, you must understand the basics. Learning the Power Platform sounds daunting, but you can progress quickly if you commit to learning. For example, you can complete our Power BI Success Path in just a few hours, and honestly, you will be amazed at how much you learn! Plus, you gain the Power BI Pro Certification to add to your profile.
Get certified (optional)
While not strictly necessary, getting certified in the Power Platform can help set you apart from the competition. Microsoft offers a range of certifications that can demonstrate your expertise, including the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals and the Microsoft Certified: Power Apps + Dynamics 365 Developer Associate certifications. These certifications can be costly and require you to pass an exam. If you want to learn quickly alongside others, we’ve designed the Collab365 Academy to cater to your Power Platform training needs.
Build a personal portfolio to showcase your awesome skills!
One of the best ways to demonstrate your skills is to build a personal portfolio. This could be a collection of apps you’ve built or a series of blog posts or tutorials you’ve created on your own blogging website. Ensure your portfolio showcases your strengths and demonstrates your ability to solve real-world problems.
Practice, practice, practice
The best way to get good at something is to practice. Try building your own apps or contributing to open-source projects. You could also participate in hackathons (although relatively infrequent in the Power Platform) or other community events to gain experience and build your network.
Be persistent
Finally, remember that getting your first job in the Power Platform may take time and persistence. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t land your dream job immediately. Keep learning, building your skills, and networking with community members. With time and effort, you’ll get there. Don’t give up, as the job market is very buoyant, and demand is set to explode!
From restaurant manager to M365 Consultant…
Before we continue, I wanted to share a story about Stephen, who took the 5-Day Power Platform Challenge. (Read about this in Stephens’s own words).
Stephen, who had over 30 years of experience in the restaurant business, recently boldly decided to switch to a completely different field. He had an informational interview with Timlin, now a part of Thrive, in the Greater Boston area, and impressed them with his leadership, management skills, and customer satisfaction experience. They recognized his potential and offered him a job as an associate engineer (consultant) for M365 and SharePoint, even though he is Canadian and has no experience in the field.
Stephen’s success story is a testament to the fact that companies are willing to take a chance on self-starters willing to learn and grow. He took the initiative to participate in the 5-day challenge, which helped him acquire the skills to impress his interviewers. It’s inspiring to see that with hard work and determination, anyone can make a career change later in life and excel in a completely different field.
Stephen’s experience shows that it’s never too late to make a change and that anyone can succeed in the Power Platform with the right attitude. So if you’re thinking of making a career change, don’t be afraid to take the first step and start learning. Who knows, you may be the next success story!
How to find a Power Platform job
So you’ve done the preparation, built your skills, and now you’re ready to start your career in the Microsoft Power Platform. Here’s how to find your first job:
Network
Networking is one of the best ways to find job opportunities. Attend events, join online communities, and connect with other professionals in the Power Platform industry. You never know who can introduce you to your next employer.
Work with recruiters
Recruiters can help you find job opportunities that match your skills and experience. Reach out to recruiters specialising in the Power Platform, and make sure your resume and portfolio are up-to-date.
Consider apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door and gain valuable experience. Many companies offer apprenticeship programs for those just starting in the industry. These programs often include a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning. They usually have low starting salaries but lower you in slowly and comfortably.
Be helpful in forums.
Participating in online forums and communities is a great way to showcase your skills and knowledge. Answer questions, provide feedback, and share your experiences. Not only will you build your reputation, but you may also catch the attention of potential employers. The Collab365 Academy is well on the way to 10,000 members, so you could join that and start to network with our friendly members.
Offer to do a free Power Platform job.
Offering to do a small job for free can be a great way to demonstrate your skills, gain experience and build your portfolio. Find a non-profit organization or small business that could help with their Power Platform needs and offer to do the work for free. Not only will you be doing something good, but you’ll also gain valuable experience and potentially make valuable connections.
If you need to gain experience and are scared to go “all in” consider freelancing part-time.
Freelancing can be an excellent option for someone who has learned Power Platform skills independently and is looking to gain experience in the field during their spare time. For some, changing jobs and starting a new career can be scary. Freelancing can provide a way to ease you into the field slowly and gain valuable experience, and build a portfolio of work that can help to land more permanent positions down the line.
Additionally, freelancing can provide the opportunity to work with various clients and projects, which can help build a diverse portfolio of work and showcase various skills and abilities.
Freelancing can also provide a way to build a network of contacts in the industry. By working with clients and collaborating with other freelancers, you can develop relationships leading to more opportunities and connections in the field. This can be especially important for someone just starting and looking to break into the industry.
Finally, freelancing can provide a way to gain experience and build a work portfolio that can help land more permanent positions. By showcasing your skills and abilities through your freelance work, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary experience and knowledge to excel in the field.
One site we recommend is Fiverr, as it’s easy to use and has relatively low fees. Here are five examples of “Power Platform Gigs” you could offer:
- “I will create a custom Power App for your business needs.”
- “I will automate your workflow using Power Automate.”
- “I will build a Power BI dashboard to visualize your data.”
- “I will integrate Power Apps and Power Automate with other Microsoft tools.”
- “I will provide a consultation to optimize your Power Platform solutions.”
- Take a look at these examples on Fiverr.
Addressing the limiting beliefs and objections in your mind!
When considering a career transition to become a Power Platform developer, it’s common to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. In addition to practical challenges such as time and financial constraints, many people may have limiting beliefs that can hold them back from pursuing their goals. So let’s take a look at the common ones!
“I don’t have any experience in the tech industry.”
While having previous experience in the tech industry may be an advantage, becoming a Power Platform developer is not required. Many successful developers come from non-technical backgrounds and have learned the necessary skills through education, training, and practice. Focus on building a solid foundation of knowledge and skills through self-study, courses, and hands-on experience.
“I don’t have the time to learn new skills.”
It’s true that learning new skills and transitioning to a new career takes time and effort, but it’s important to remember that it’s a long-term investment in your future. Consider dedicating time each day or week to learning, and look for ways to incorporate your new skills into your current job. Consider taking online courses or attending boot camps to accelerate your learning.
“I’m not good at coding or programming.”
While coding is a valuable part of being a Power Platform developer, it’s not required. The Power Platform is essentially no-code/low code and can require data modelling, business process automation, and solution design skills. Focus on building a broad range of skills, and don’t be discouraged if coding isn’t your strong suit. You can always collaborate with other developers or use low-code/no-code tools to help you achieve your goals.
“I don’t have the right qualifications or certifications.”
While having relevant qualifications and certifications can undoubtedly help your career prospects, they are not always necessary. Instead, focus on building a solid portfolio of projects and demonstrating your skills and knowledge in your job applications and interviews. Consider taking online courses and obtaining certifications to help bolster your credentials. Check out the Collab365 Academy to formalise your learning and earn certifications.
“I’m too old/young to transition my career.”
Age should never be a barrier to pursuing your career goals. Learning new skills and transitioning to a new career is never too late or too early. Embrace your life experiences and consider how they can be an asset in your new career. Focus on your strengths, and don’t be discouraged by any obstacles that may come your way.
“I will earn less money if I change jobs, now!”
It’s understandable for someone considering a career transition to be concerned about a short-term drop in salary. However, it’s important to remember that investing time and resources in yourself now can pay dividends down the line. By transitioning to a career as a Power Platform developer, you can gain skills and knowledge that are highly in demand in today’s job market. This can open up opportunities for higher-paying jobs and long-term career growth.
Consider the potential earnings of a Power Platform developer versus your current job. While there may be a short-term decrease in salary during the transition, the earning potential of a Power Platform developer can be significantly higher than that of many other professions. Additionally, the skills and knowledge you gain can make you a valuable asset in the job market, with the potential for more job security and long-term career growth.
Furthermore, investing in your education and training can also pay off in other ways. You may gain a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction from pursuing a career that aligns with your passions and interests. You may also develop a network of contacts and collaborators that can support your career growth and provide valuable opportunities.
In conclusion, finding your first job in the Microsoft Power Platform may seem daunting, but plenty of resources and opportunities are available to help you succeed. Network, work with recruiters, consider apprenticeships, be helpful in online communities, and offer to do a free job. With persistence and hard work, you’ll be on your way to a successful career in the Power Platform. Good luck!