IT Career Guide

How Long Does It Actually Take to Get an IT Job?

An honest, realistic timeline for how long it genuinely takes to move from zero IT experience to a first IT job in the UK.

The honest answer is roughly 3 to 6 months for most people: 3 months of structured training plus certification, then typically 1 to 3 months of applying and interviewing, depending on your CV, location, and how many roles you apply for. It is rarely instant, and it is rarely a multi-year process either.

What you need to know

Structured training and CompTIA A+ exam preparation typically takes 3 months, done on weekends alongside a current job
Most students begin applying for roles as soon as training finishes, sometimes before
Typical time from finishing training to a first offer is 1 to 3 months, depending on application volume and location
Applying to more roles, and tailoring each application, meaningfully shortens this timeline
A realistic total timeline start to finish: around 4 to 6 months from decision to first day in an IT role
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