Land Your Dream IT Job: The 4-Step Blueprint from KevTechIT’s Career Secrets

Kevin Apolinario, known online as KevTechIT, isn’t your typical IT professional. With over a decade of experience working in IT by day and creating educational content for his 350K+ YouTube subscribers by night, he has carved out a unique path into the tech industry. Unlike many who follow a traditional college route, Kevin started in the restaurant industry, volunteered with the NYPD, and worked at an Apple Store. This extensive customer-facing experience became the cornerstone of his success.

Ahead of his speaking appearance at SpiceWorld 2026, Kevin shared his proven blueprint for landing an entry-level IT job, even without a technical degree. His advice emphasizes that while technical skills are important, soft skills are often the differentiator in a crowded market.

1. Customer Service is Key

For Kevin, the secret to standing out boils down to two words: customer service. He recalls getting hired for a role supporting C-level executives despite being the "least qualified" candidate because of his personality and service-oriented mindset.

“I’m not the IT guy where it’s like, ‘Oh my god, why are you so dumb?’... That’s just my job. People need to understand that a lot of IT has to do with customer service.”

His patience and ability to handle frustration without taking it personally allowed him to become the go-to problem solver. By treating every user interaction with empathy, he built a reputation that led to internal referrals and praise. Remember, hiring managers are human; they hire people they enjoy working with.

2. Prove You Know the Technologies Used in the Business

While soft skills open doors, technical knowledge keeps them open. Kevin recommends:

• Earn Certifications: Validate your foundational knowledge.
• Build a Home Lab: Understand modern infrastructure, including operating systems, hardware, networking (TCP/IP), Active Directory, Office 365, and ticketing systems.
• Create a Portfolio: Just as developers use GitHub, IT pros should document their learning journey on platforms like Medium. One student’s detailed blog post impressed a hiring manager so much that she said, “I don’t have to train you on this. You already know how to do it.”

3. Research the Company You’re Interviewing With

Hiring managers look for culture fit. Kevin advises candidates to dig deep into a company’s core values and recent news. Don’t be afraid to reach out to current employees—buy them a coffee and ask about the work environment and management style.

When interviewing, bring up what you’ve learned. One of Kevin’s students surprised a hiring manager by referencing specific company initiatives and aligning his personal values with the company’s mission. The result? The manager told him, “You are the best candidate that I have ever interviewed in my life.”

4. Human Relationships Are Key to Finding a Job

In a tough job market, networking is non-negotiable. Kevin warns against falling into negativity traps on social media. Instead, put yourself out there:

• Attend conference events like SpiceWorld.
• Tell people you are looking for work.
• Leverage existing connections.

Kevin landed three of his jobs through networking alone. Even a student who was initially defeated by negative Reddit threads found multiple job offers simply by changing his outlook and actively engaging with peers.

Ready to Learn More?

To hear more about succeeding in IT and network with industry leaders, check out the agenda for SpiceWorld 2026 in Austin, TX.