A few key tips for unlocking a developer job after bootcamp
Changing careers? A web development bootcamp, while intensive and demanding, is only the first phase of the process.
Summary
At Le Wagon, students spend 9 weeks gaining a foundation in code culminating with the development of their very own web apps. Technical concepts, teamwork, collaborative tools, not to mention public speaking and networking skills, are all part of the program. Yet, when the coursework ends, Demoday is over, and the pitches have all been, well, pitched—some start to wonder: what now?
To help answer the often asked question, two former students share their experience with job searching and give tips to ease your transition into the daily life of a budding developer.
Asma is a graduate in software engineering. She signed-up for our web-development bootcamp in order to gain confidence. Today, she works as a front-end developer at Ubisoft Montreal.
As for Nicolas, he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from McGill University. Before joining Le Wagon to change careers, he worked in marketing. Now, he works as a developer at YAP.
Stay active and maintain a good work ethic
“The first thing is to establish a routine with scheduled hours everyday allocated to learning new skills, enriching your portfolio, and looking for work,” recommends Nicolas. In order to maintain the work ethic acquired during the bootcamp:
- Continue to code and learn new languages
- Work on personal projects to enrich your portfolio
- Participate in networking events and meet key players in the tech ecosystem
The key: demonstrating your willingness to learn
Contrary to popular belief, imposter syndrome doesn’t just affect career changers. The first few months won’t be easy, but it’s important to trust the process and be prepared to continue learning.
“There is no such thing as comfortable work when you’re starting out as a junior developer; nothing can really prepare you for it,” recalls Asma. The goal isn’t to know everything but to demonstrate a willingness to learn:
- Learn more about languages used at the companies you’re targeting
- Apply to many job offers and take as many technical tests as you can; it’s the best way to train
- Understand the company’s expectations in advance to minimize frustration once on the job
- Communicate as much as possible with your team
Curious to learn more about our coding bootcamp? Check upcoming batches dates for our campus in Montreal
