We’ll get right to it: you decide to take a bootcamp to land a job in tech, right? So while you may see a lot of content and time dedicated to choosing the right course and being successful within the course, we wanted to create this helpful guide to breaking down the job search and interview process so that you have a clear idea of what it’s really like after you graduate.
It would be nice if graduating from a bootcamp magically landed you the job of your dreams; while bootcamps do prepare you for entering the workforce immediately after graduation, the actuality of landing a job will require hard work and dedication on your part. Luckily for you, bootcamps are specifically designed to make you job-ready in just a few months so before we dive right into the nitty gritty of the job search and interview process, let’s review the concept of bootcamps and precisely how they will prepare you for job success in just a few months.
Why are Bootcamps So Effective?
Learning a new skill to the point that you’re job ready in just a few months is impossible, right? And especially in tech, a field that requires an intimate knowledge of many tools, not to mention the theoretical frameworks that are so important–it can’t be real. Well, we’re here to tell you that it is, in fact, possible, and even encouraged. Why? Let’s discuss:
Bootcamps are specifically designed to teach you everything you need to know to join the workforce: with the help of industry experts and HR professionals, bootcamps are designed with the current job market in mind, aiming to teach students the marketable skills that are so in-demand at that exact point in time. With bootcamps, you can forget about filler courses and unnecessary skills; they focus on preparing you to enter the workforce with the skills you need to reach success.
Bootcamps are incredibly interactive and project-based: there’s no 400 person lecture about the foundational background of coding in bootcamps; instead, instructors focus on getting students’ hands dirty in the chosen field of study and preparing deliverables that will be valuable parts of their portfolios during the job hunt.
Bootcamps are fast-paced and short-term: tech moves at an incredibly fast pace and it’s important to remember that the tech job market is in need of professionals who possess knowledge of the latest tools and technologies; bootcamps cater to this specific niche and you can rest assured knowing your curriculum will reflect the latest changes in the tech job market.
The Job Search for Tech Bootcamp Graduates
If you’ve chosen to take a tech bootcamp, it’s because you’re focused on your future and making a career change. This can seem incredibly daunting at first; after all, you’re heading into the unknown, but you’re making an investment in your future and professional life. In this section, we’ll break the entire job search process down, helping you both prepare for it and imagine what awaits you.
The most important thing to remember is that your job search doesn’t begin post-graduation; your job search is an integral part of your bootcamp experience from day one. Why? Well, because bootcamps take place over such a short period of time and the job hunt/interview process can be lengthy, it’s best to start as soon as you can.
As a tech bootcamp student, your job search will look something like this:
Career planning: before you can start making moves towards your final goal of landing your dream tech job, you need to figure out what you want; this means you need to think about your chosen field, the different career paths available, your interests and skills, salary expectations, language skills, geographic preferences, and much more. It seems like a lot of big decisions to make at once, but the more information you have, the easier it will be for you to focus your efforts on finding what you truly want. Remember: you chose a bootcamp to make a career change and take advantage of all the tech sector has to offer–don’t compromise now!
Job hunt guidance: what’s a CV? Is it the same as a resume? What about a portfolio–are they necessary? There are a lot of intricacies in the job hunt and during this stage, your career counselors will help break down the process and give you a better idea of what to expect in your chosen area, helping you perfect your CV, portfolio, LinkedIn profile, and pitch so that you’re ready when interviews come around.
Job hunt preparation: to get you ready for the real thing, you’ll enjoy an entire week of workshops, webinars, and challenges designed to prepare you for interviews and applications. You’ll also get to chat with industry experts who will give you some crucial tips and update you on the newest updates in tech.
The job hunt: it’s time to put everything you’ve learned into practice and dive right into the actual job search. It seems daunting, but you won’t be alone: your Career Coach will be by your side throughout the entire process, available for individual meetings to discuss any problems or blockers that have arisen. And if that wasn’t enough, we’ll also share your profile and CV with our network of Hiring Partners who are looking for their next tech hire and connect you with our widespread network of Ironhack alumni.
Continued support: we don’t hand you your diploma and move on to the next cohort; we understand that finding the right job can be challenging and that’s why we offer our Career Support for up to a year post-graduation, ensuring you have the best tools to land your first tech job.
While we’re here to help you as much as possible, your success does depend on you–Ironhackers are motivated, driven, and looking to shake things up and we’re here to help you, but you need to work for your success as well.
The Interview Process for Tech Bootcamp Graduates
Now that you’re clear on how you’ll be supported throughout your job search and how that works as a bootcamp student, let’s dive a bit deeper into the interview process so that you can know what to expect. The tech interview process does differ a bit from other industries, so if this is your first time interviewing for a tech role, pay special attention here:
Initial interview: upon receiving your resume and showing interest in what you offer, hiring managers or HR professionals will reach out to you to gauge your interest, go over the basics of the job, and make sure it’s a good fit before recommending you continue with the process. During this interview, you can expect to be informed or asked about the following:
Salary expectations
Available start date
Remote/in-person requirements
Your experience
Your education
Your location/relocation options
Interview with potential boss: once HR has established that you match the generic requirements for the role and agree on salary expectations, location, and in-person/remote plan, you will meet or have a call with your potential supervisor, where you’ll dive deeper into the job role and duties and you’ll be able to ask more role-related questions.
Technical interview: if everything looks good, your skills will be put to the test! You’ll receive a technical test which evaluates your skills and abilities in your field (this will depend on the role you’re applying for and your field); this will most likely be on your own time, but make sure you meet any deadlines/time requirements.
Culture/team interview: the last step before landing a role will probably be a culture fit interview or a chat with the rest of the team to make sure you’re a good fit. If you’ve passed the technical interview, they know you can do the job based on your successful technical interview, but they want to make sure you’ll work well with the rest of the team and fit with the company’s mission and values.
We know the job search and interview process, especially in an entirely new field, can be quite daunting and that’s why we’re so proud of our career services and the services they offer our amazing Ironhackers. If you’re thinking about making the move into tech but aren’t sure if you’d be able to land a job post-graduation, consider taking that leap and taking a chance on your future career in tech.
Tech is for everyone; it’s a flexible and versatile field that needs all sorts of professionals, regardless of their previous role or education. If you’re on the edge of starting your journey, you’re in the right place. Consider our bootcamps in web development, UX/UI design, data analytics, and cybersecurity, choosing from part or full time courses, in addition to remote or in-person courses.
Start your tech career today with Ironhack, working hand in hand with our Career Services from day one to help you get your start in tech.
