Tips for Coding Bootcamp Graduates To Land Software Development Positions
Code academies are a great way to get about and get yourself into the industry. MindTouch right now has six or so Origin Academy graduates on the team. A lot of the team members start off on our support roles, but as we’ve seen them all grow in their careers over the last year, we have Origin Academy students that are now on our dev ops team. We have some on implementation, as well as quality assurance. It’s been great to see them grow their careers there, grow their skill sets, and now they’re paying pivotal points here in the MindTouch.
If you’re coming out of a code academy, you’re competing with candidates that just got a four year degree, or they’ve been it for quite some time, so it’s really important to create your own brand, and be aggressive during the interview process. Some of us are always introverts to extroverts, but this is the opportunity to really spring for the fences. It’s really important to walk through those doors, and to talk about yourself. It’s important for them, I think, also to control the conversation, and to talk about the passion that got them here, and then why they’re here. That’s what a team is always lookin’ for.
We understand that you’re entry level. We understand that you just got out of the code academy. This is your time to shine. We know what your skill set is, let’s learn more about you as a person. I think that’s important, as well as continuing to be aggressive in your approach
If you’re finding a job, don’t just apply. Find out who that hiring manager is, find out who that recruiter is, and go and knock on that door. You’re gonna have a lot more success by being that aggressive.