đȘ Master these 3 skills to land a job as a Bootcamp grad
So youâve completed your bootcamp đ
Hundreds of hours spent on learning a new technical skill, now youâre eager to put it to use and keep learning. The problem youâre now facing is how to land that job the bootcamps raved about. Getting a job in tech was the whole point of going to the bootcamp anyways, so now what to do?
The job search process for jobs in tech is a unique experience that requires a unique set of skills. Skills like networking (ie. talking to strangers), applying to job online (ie. scrolling though Linkedin), taking tech tests and interviewing. As you can see, this is a ton of new skills to learn within a very short period of time. You almost need a job search bootcamp after the actual bootcamp. đ
Skills youâll need for the job search process:
Networking
Finding new jobs to apply to every week
Tech tests (if youâre a developer)
Interviewing
Want personalized, 1:1 support? Reach out and schedule a call to learn how career coaching can support you landing that tech job.
Letâs break down these job search skills so that you can understand what each one really means and how they work together.
Networking
Networking is all about creating conversations with humans for the purpose of referrals, learning or human connection. When you network, you are reaching out to people you know or donât know to ask for support in different forms. You can be asking them any number of asks such as more information about a role, a call to get an interview, a referral to a job posting or some other question.
Networking needs to have outcomes (ex. interviews, calls, referrals) so that itâs effective. When contacting people you donât know, make sure to clearly state what kind of support you are looking for: interviews, informational call, referral, etc. Have a short template prepared to make it easier to start up conversations with people you donât know, keep it short and introduce yourself!
New to networking? here are a few strategies to get you started:
Keep in touch with your bootcamp cohort, have informational calls with those people who landed jobs
Every time you send a job application reach out to relevant people in the company on Linkedin
Find peers and more senior level people to have informational interviews with
Reach out to the potential hiring managers within companies you are interested in to ask for an informational conversation, even if there are no relevant roles posted, yet
Finding new jobs to apply to every week
Finding new jobs to apply to every day or every couple days is a skill in itself. Sometimes the process can feel boring and stifling, and sometimes this process can feel exciting. This skill is all about finding as many places as possible to look for jobs throughout the week.
Start with Linkedin, as itâs one of the largest job marketplace around. Create filtered searches for relevant job titles so that you can easily go back to the search results. Continue your search in niche communities for new grads and early career tech people such as slack groups, discord or other online spaces.
Make sure to create a resume that you donât need to update for every role, so that you can spend minimal time applying. Your time is better spent networking and having conversations with people.
New to applying online? Follow these tips to get started:
Apply to a minimum of 20+ applications a week, the more the better
Reach out to your network + search online + linkedin to find niche communities that have job boards or job postings
On Linkedin, create filtered job searches for at least 2+ job titles (ex. Web Developer, Jr. Developer, etc.)
Create a focused resume that highlights ONLY your relevant experiences/projects for the roles that you are applying for
Do NOT customize your resume for each role, this wastes your time
Ditch the cover letter, it does not matter in tech roles
If youâre in UX/UI, have a portfolio ready, so you have clear UI deliverables you can share with hiring managers+recruiters
Tech tests (if youâre a developer)
If youâre a bootcamp grad looking for your first software development position, you will need to dedicate time to study and practice technical challenges in order to pass technical tests. Some application process even start with a tech test only, so if you canât pass this part, no interviews follow. Make the time to study for the tech tests!
Interviewing
Finally, the job search skill that will take you very very far. Interviewing is an important skill in itself. The interview process can take weeks and can be exhausting. Thatâs why itâs important to prepare and feel confident going through the interview process. Becoming a stronger interviewer takes time, all you have to remember is to take the time to prepare, ask relevant questions and find a way to relax during the conversation. An interview is just another conversation, after all.
If youâre new to interviewing for tech roles, a few pointers to remember:
Have your âTell me about yourself pitchâ ready, create a reusable 2-3 min story about your journey into tech
Prepare a few key work/project experiences that are relevant for common interview questions about teamwork
Understand and highlight your transferable skills within the interview as necessary, especially when asked behavioral questions
Practice speaking out loud your thought process so you are confident when asked to explain your decision making process
Research the basics of the company product, make sure to have a basic understanding of what they sell/provide for customers
Research & prepare your questions to the hiring manager, before the interview
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