Crack the Tech Code:

How to Master Tech Skills on YouTube and Land a Remote Job in 2024.

2024 is winding down, with just four months left. Did you know this time frame is ample to master a tech skill of your choice or level up using free resources. As a result you might land a junior tech role position at your dream company, get a promotion or seek greener pasture with confidence. All you need is a solid plan and strategy.

You've likely heard of YouTube countless times. But how has it impacted your life in 2024 or previous years? Personally, I've used YouTube for both learning and entertainment. Every project I've developed has been inspired by YouTube content. Currently, I'm using it to learn how to build a personal brand by 2027 and achieve financial independence. You can use it too, to learn anything you want. I'll guide you on how to tap into its potential.

What is YouTube?

In simple terms, YouTube is a free video-sharing website founded in 2005. The platform makes it easy to share and watch videos online for free. You can create and upload your own videos to share with others. YouTube contains at least 800 million videos from different creators, niches, and purposes. The big question is where do you position yourself on YouTube? It's like a double-edged sword with the ability to significantly enhance or adversely affect your life. Let's all benefit from YouTube.

Research

Take your time to research the skill you want to master, leveraging YouTube to make it happen. While I recommend tech skills, you can choose any skill from the infinite array available. I emphasize tech because we live in the information age, and tech is essential for creating, sharing, storing, and safely deleting data with minimal friction. When researching, consider the following factors:

• Your interest in the tech skill.

• Current market demand (jobs, freelance projects).

• Future predictions of the skill.

• PC availability and minimum specs required to learn the skill.

• Duration to learn it.

• Ease of learning.

Reliable sources for research include industry experts, Google, and AI. Don’t just pick a skill just because of hype around about it or recommendations from others, do your homework. Skipping thorough research might lead to choosing an obsolete or uninteresting skill, wasting your time. Get it right the first time with your own diligent research.

Skill Breakdown

After selecting your skill it's time to break down the skill into smaller manageable tasks. Call them sub skills. This step is important since;
- They help you track your progress.
- They are like checklist and help you be accountable
- Easy to manage your own expectation and after a specific sub skill you could start applying for roles.

Example breakdown:
i. Artificial Intelligence

1. Machine Learning (Pattern recognition) -> Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch

2. Deep Learning (Neural networks) -> TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras

3. Data Processing (Data manipulation) -> Pandas, NumPy, Apache Spark

4. Natural Language Processing (Understanding language) -> NLTK, SpaCy, GPT-4

5. Computer Vision (Image analysis) -> OpenCV, TensorFlow, PyTorch

ii. Data Science

1. Data Collection (Gathering data) -> Web Scraping, APIs, SQL

2. Data Cleaning (Preparing data) -> Pandas, OpenRefine, NumPy

3. Data Analysis (Understanding data) -> Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn

4. Data Visualization (Presenting data) -> Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau

5. Machine Learning (Predictive models) -> Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch

iii. Web development

1. Frontend (What the user sees) -> HTML, CSS, javascript, reactjs

2. Backend (Server logic) -> nodejs/ django, python/js

3. Database (Where data is stored) -> MySQL/ postgreSQL/ MongoDB

Search YouTube Channels

Once you've identified your sub-skills, find relevant YouTube channels that focus on teaching them. This is important because:

1. It provides a systematic flow of lessons.

2. You become accustomed to one teaching style.

3. Minimizes repetition of concepts across different videos.

4. Saves time by reducing the need to switch between tutors and tutorials.

While it's beneficial to stick to one channel for consistency, it's also okay to explore different tutors to gain diverse perspectives and angles.

Choose a Video or Series

When starting out, I recommend choosing lengthy videos for learning your skills and sub skills. Lengthy videos often provide a solid foundation, covering fundamental concepts in detail. However, be cautious not to pick excessively long videos, as you might give up halfway. For instance, a video exceeding 30 hours might be too much for many learners, myself included.
Alternatively, a series of videos building up to a full course can also be a great choice, providing structured learning without overwhelming you.

Short videos can be beneficial but are more useful after you have a basic understanding of the topic and are seeking more detailed information on specific areas.

Avoid the trap of migrating from video to video or pausing videos halfway to start a new one. This is a common pitfall, especially when topics seem overwhelming. Remember, it's normal to feel challenged by new concepts. Give yourself time to grasp these ideas before moving forward.

Project-based videos are excellent for applying what you've learned, but they often require a solid foundation in the relevant concepts. If a tutor mentions prerequisites for a project-based video, bookmark it for later. Once you have the necessary background knowledge, these projects can be incredibly beneficial. Currently, I'm building a hotel booking system with Spring Boot and ReactJS, leveraging my detailed understanding of JavaScript, Python, and Django. This approach allows me to connect the dots more effectively and apply what I've learned in a practical context.

How to Get the Most from Videos and Tutorials

Break the video into hourly sections. Here is what I mean, if a tutorial is 10 hours long, divide it into 10 parts. Watch each hour without pausing or fast-forwarding to get an overview of the content. Then, re-watch the hour while taking notes and coding along or following the tutor’s instructions. This method helps ensure you truly understand the concepts, as just watching might give a false sense of comprehension.

Taking notes and coding along keeps you attentive and engaged. In the future, you can refer to your notes quickly instead of re-watching the entire video, saving time and reinforcing your learning. Remember, tech skills are practical; you need to engage actively.

Utilize timestamps if available. They are useful for revisiting tough or repetitive concepts and tracking your progress. Mark challenging concepts to know where to resume next time.

Remember, you don't get strong by watching others lift weights. Engage actively and practice to strengthen your skills.

Consistency and Distraction

One of my mentors, Dan Koe, says it best: 99% of things on the internet are distractions. YouTube, despite its wealth of great content, can be a major source of these distractions. Music, tutorials, movies, fun clips—all can shift your focus from what you’re really doing. While they are entertaining, if they catch your attention during a tutorial, they become distractions. Here’s how to avoid them:

• For ads: Install Brave browser to watch YouTube videos ad-free.

• Time blocks: Start with a 30-minute distraction-free period to watch tutorials, and gradually increase this time. Begin with as little as 5 or 10 minutes and build up over time.

Understand that mastering a skill requires repeated, focused practice. You can’t watch a tutorial once and expect to be job-ready. It takes time and daily effort. Aim to allocate 4 hours daily for 4 months to see significant results. If you have a busy schedule, start small—fit in 30 minutes of learning tech every 3 days, then gradually increase to an hour every 2 days, working towards the goal of 4 hours daily.

Join Communities

Nearly all YouTube channels have associated communities on platforms like Discord, X, Slack, LinkedIn, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. These communities are invaluable for finding like-minded people, industry experts, job and internship opportunities, collaboration projects, resources, market trends, new releases, freelancing gigs, networking with peers, and potential references.

Facts about communities:

1. Most junior tech roles are presented in enclosed communities.

2. Job references from community members often get priority review.

3. Some jobs are exclusively posted within these communities.

By joining these groups, you tap into a wealth of opportunities and support that can accelerate your learning and career growth.

Resume Writing

Brutal Truth: In 2024, many people still struggle with crafting a compelling CV. Seek help from a career guidance expert or a senior who has experience reviewing CVs—they don’t need to be a recruiter, but their insights will be valuable.

Key Points:

• Immediate Impact: Your resume and cover letter must quickly showcase what you offer. Recruiters typically spend only 10-15 seconds per CV, so make those seconds count.

• Personal & Professional Blend: Include both personal and professional characteristics. Personal traits and uniqueness can be key selling points.

• Cover Letter: Draft a personalized cover letter. Leverage AI tools or online templates, but keep designs simple to ensure ATS readability. I prefer using Microsoft Word with ChatGPT’s assistance.

• Passports & Citizenship: Mention these in your CV if relevant, as they can sometimes open doors.

Crafting a standout resume involves both strategic presentation and effective use of tools to ensure it reaches and resonates with hiring managers.

Job/Freelance search and application

You don't need to learn all subskills to start applying for gigs, as soon as you learn and understand 3 subskills, look for jobs and start applying for roles, mostly junior roles. Building connections to potential employers and referrals. Navigating your job and freelancing search requires a strategic approach.

Steps to Follow:

1. Local & Remote: Apply for gigs in your home country, both remote and hybrid. Don’t limit yourself to major job boards; explore specialized ones as well.

2. Job Alerts: Set alerts for companies of interest, even if no roles are currently available. This ensures you’re notified of future opportunities.

3. Communities: Leverage your communities for job leads and references.

4. Confidence: Apply if you meet at least 60% of the job requirements. Don’t hesitate.

5. Volume & Strategy: Apply to 50-100 companies. Research them, set alerts, and connect with people in those companies.

6. Persistence: Job searching is a numbers game. The timeline can vary—2 weeks, 2 months, or even longer.

Be strategic, persistent, and proactive to maximize your chances of landing a role.

By tapping into YouTube's vast resources and following the strategic approach, you can master a tech skill and set yourself up for success in 2024. Stay focused and avoid distractions—remember, consistency and active engagement are crucial. Dive into tutorials, join relevant communities, and approach your job search with a clear strategy. Whether you're eyeing a junior tech role, a promotion, or a fresh career direction, your dedication and persistence will pave the way to new opportunities. Embrace the process, and watch as your efforts lead to exciting career advancements. Good luck on your journey to mastering tech and landing that dream role!