The coding bootcamp journey is intense and transformative, but graduation is just the beginning. The next crucial phase is navigating the job market and securing that coveted developer position that justifies your hard work and investment. This post delves into the often-underdiscussed realities of the post-bootcamp job search, drawing from firsthand experience to provide actionable advice.
Having completed Hack Reactor in July 2016, I spent almost three months dedicated to the job hunt before accepting an offer at Radius Intelligence. My journey involved sending out 291 applications, participating in 32 phone screenings, 16 technical screens, tackling 13 coding challenges, attending 11 on-site interviews, and ultimately receiving 8 job offers. These offers spanned salaries from $60,000 to $125,000, encompassing both front-end and full-stack roles across various US locations. In the end, approximately 2.8% of my applications translated into concrete job offers.
Looking back, there are five critical lessons I wish I had known at the outset of my job search that could have streamlined the process and boosted my confidence.
Insight #1: Bypass the Black Hole: Connect with Real People
Initially, my job application strategy was akin to a scattershot approach. I utilized platforms like Indeed.com, AngelList, LinkedIn, StackOverflow, Hacker News, company career pages, and even Craigslist. I submitted my resume for any role mentioning React, Node, or JavaScript, often applying to 15-20 companies daily in the first week alone.
Pro-Tip: Leverage resources like the easy-application repo on GitHub to discover companies actively hiring.
However, this broad approach yielded minimal results. My response rate was discouragingly low, with fewer than 5% of companies acknowledging my applications. It felt like my efforts were disappearing into a void.
This changed dramatically when a fellow bootcamp graduate, who had prior recruiting experience, shared a game-changing strategy. He advised us to accompany each application with a direct email to someone within the company – ideally on the engineering or hiring team, but really anyone who would see it.
From that point forward, whenever I applied for a position, I would search for the company on LinkedIn and identify individuals to email, typically someone in engineering or HR.
For smaller companies or when targeting C-level executives, the email format is often [email protected]. For larger organizations, it might be [email protected].
To validate email addresses, I used Rapportive (now part of LinkedIn Sales Navigator), which allowed me to verify emails by cross-referencing them with social media profiles.
The impact was remarkable. After sending over 150 direct emails, my response rate surged to an impressive 22%.
Beyond just the numbers, it was incredibly motivating to engage with real people. Surprisingly, I received responses even from CEOs and CTOs, some of whom even conducted initial interviews themselves.
Takeaway: When applying for developer roles, especially after a coding bootcamp, ensure your application reaches a human being to significantly increase your chances of being noticed.
Insight #2: Level Up Strategically: Start with Less Demanding Interviews
The spectrum of technical interviews is vast. You’ll encounter Level 1 interviews at companies less focused on tech, where questions might be limited to basic JavaScript trivia. Conversely, you’ll face Level 9 interviews, typical of tech giants like Google or Facebook, which involve complex data structure and algorithm challenges.
My strategy was to intentionally sequence my interview process, starting with companies known for less rigorous interviews and gradually progressing to those with higher hiring bars.
In the initial weeks, I prioritized gaining interview experience, building confidence, and securing offers from companies with less intensive technical assessments. These early interviews served as valuable practice and confidence boosters.
As I accumulated interview experience, I effectively “leveled up” my skills and preparedness. I became more adept at tackling increasingly complex interview questions, allowing me to perform better in interviews at companies with more demanding hiring processes. The graph below illustrates this progression, showing a general correlation between the time spent interviewing and the base salary offered.
This strategic approach allowed me to unlock progressively tougher questions, leading to higher salary offers, and ultimately, securing the position that was the right fit for my career goals after coding bootcamp.
Takeaway: Structure your job search by starting with interviews at companies known for less challenging technical assessments to build experience and confidence before tackling more competitive roles.
Insight #3: Relentless Preparation: Study Like Your Career Depends On It
It might sound blunt, but continuous studying and preparation are paramount throughout your job search. Your ability to answer technical questions effectively is the primary determinant of whether you receive a job offer. Similarly, referrals are contingent on others believing in your preparedness for their company’s interview process.
Coming out of Hack Reactor, my weaker areas were data structures and algorithms, a common trend among bootcamp graduates compared to computer science degree holders, as highlighted in a study by Triplebyte.
Therefore, I dedicated myself to consistent learning and practice every single day.
Some days were entirely devoted to mastering sorting algorithms, while others focused on understanding the intricacies of how the internet functions. If a concept remained unclear, I would spend hours watching YouTube tutorials or scouring StackOverflow until I achieved complete comprehension.
I found these resources particularly helpful in my preparation:
Takeaway: There is no such thing as over-preparation. Invest significant time in studying and practicing technical concepts relevant to software development to maximize your chances of success in your coding bootcamp to career transition.
Insight #4: Present Your Best Self: Advocate for Your Abilities
Breaking into the tech industry, especially after a coding bootcamp, is undeniably challenging. You need to perform exceptionally well, often even when feeling underprepared. To succeed in this competitive landscape, you must become your own strongest advocate.
Effectively Market Your Skills
At Hack Reactor, we were advised to strategically present our backgrounds to mitigate potential biases against bootcamp education. In crafting our professional narratives, we were encouraged to downplay or omit explicit mention of our bootcamp experience initially.
Why this approach? Because some companies might automatically categorize bootcamp graduates into junior developer roles or perceive them as lacking sufficient experience.
In one interview with a startup, the conversation took a negative turn as soon as they realized I was a bootcamp graduate. One company even used it to justify a lower $60,000 salary offer, benchmarking it against junior developer positions.
Ultimately, your goal is to convince companies of your capability to perform the job effectively.
Simultaneously, you need to cultivate self-belief in your abilities.
You are capable. Focus on your passion for programming, highlight the projects you’ve built using React and Node, and confidently demonstrate your in-depth knowledge of JavaScript and any other languages you’ve learned.
Only by projecting confidence and competence can you persuade companies to invest in your potential.
Engage in Two-Way Dialogue
Remember that interviewing is a reciprocal process – a mutual assessment of fit between you and the employer. While it’s your responsibility to demonstrate why they should hire you, it’s also their responsibility to attract you to their company.
Don’t hesitate to use the interview as an opportunity to evaluate the job opportunity for yourself.
I engaged in conversations with a wide range of companies, even those I had only marginal initial interest in.
I attended on-site interviews across the country with any company that extended an invitation. I proactively asked questions, gathering insights into engineering team structures, technologies and tools used, company challenges, and system architecture.
Pro-Tip: During interviews, ask insightful questions such as:
What are some of the significant technical challenges your team is currently tackling?
What aspects do you personally enjoy most about working at [Company Name]?
How are engineering teams organized, and what is the typical workflow for task allocation?
I treated every interaction as a learning experience. Each interview, regardless of the outcome, helped refine my presentation skills, enhance my interview technique, and sharpen my technical abilities. Each rejection provided valuable insights into areas for improvement.
Takeaway: Don’t underestimate your value. Approach interviews as a two-way street, where you are also evaluating the company and the opportunity.
Insight #5: Embrace the Marathon: Job Searching is a Long-Term Game
The job search journey is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. For three months, I dedicated myself to the process six days a week. However, I also prioritized self-care to avoid burnout.
Some days, I studied with fellow bootcamp graduates. On other days, I found a quiet cafe to study alone or spent time at Hack Reactor’s alumni lounge. Each week, I checked in with our career counselor to discuss my progress and challenges.
It’s easy to become exhausted and discouraged during an extended job search. Prioritize eating well, getting sufficient sleep, and incorporating exercise into your routine.
The process can also feel isolating. Make sure to spend time with friends, especially those who are navigating the same job search experience.
Takeaway: Prepare for a sustained effort and prioritize self-care to maintain your well-being and resilience throughout the job search process as you transition from coding bootcamp to career.
In Summary: Key Takeaways for Your Coding Bootcamp to Career Journey
- Get through to real people: Directly connect with individuals at companies to increase your application visibility.
- Start small and work your way up: Strategically sequence interviews to build confidence and experience.
- Study like your future job depends on it: Continuous preparation is crucial for interview success.
- Put your best foot forward: Advocate for your skills and approach interviews as a two-way evaluation.
- It’s a marathon, not a sprint: Prepare for a long-term effort and prioritize self-care.
The job search might feel endless at times, but success is within reach. Continue to dedicate your time and effort, keep applying, and remember to take care of yourself. Your perseverance will ultimately lead to your desired outcome – a fulfilling career in tech after your coding bootcamp.
Special thanks to Dylan Tran, Karen Zhao, Rohit ‘Sunny’ Rekhi, Jake Pace, Anamita Guha, Stephanie Liu, and many others for their contributions and support.
Please share this guide with friends who are currently navigating their post-bootcamp job search.
