A big part of the bootcamp experience is the, what do I do after? The majority of our students come to bootcamp so that they can find a job. And, being completely honest, that takes a lot of work. But, the majority of our students have successfully been able to find a job in the field that they studied here at bootcamp.
So, what’s their secret? We interviewed 20 iOS development alumni who found jobs after bootcamp, asking them what tips they have for students looking for work.
Here is what they said:
#1 Keep Learning
Keep learning as much as you can after you graduate. Going to bootcamp is just the beginning of becoming an expert iOS developer. Keep coding every day, even before you land a job.
Re-sign up for teamtreehouse.com and lynda.com (free with a library card) or use other free online resources to fill in gaps of knowledge.
#2 Stay Active in Your Local iOS Development Community
Being active in the local development community for whatever technology you are working in is really valuable. Not only will this help you continue your learning process, but it will allow you to connect with people within the industry that could potentially help you get an interview at a company.
#3 Get Industry Experience ASAP
It’s so important to get industry experience as soon as possible. After graduating and mentoring, some of our students started looking into internships. Some might be reluctant to take an internships job, but some companies will only hire bootcamp grads if they are first willing to do an internship. That’s mostly because companies want to hire people that have actual industry experience.
So, get any kind of iOS development job as soon as possible with the overall goal in mind to get experience. That will help you get the job that you want eventually. See the short-term, or smaller, opportunities as building blocks to the larger, overall goal of getting a full-time job.
#4 Apply for Jobs You Don’t Qualify For
The most important thing you can do is just apply to as many jobs as you can. Even if you don’t feel qualified for them, apply. Applying to jobs can possibly lead to other things. It’s important to get your name, and resume, out there. It’s a lot of work, but it pays off in the end.
#5 Call the Office
After applying for jobs online, call the office and ask for a tour. Once you’re in the company’s doors and they’ve seen your face, that will be very helpful. And, try to make a lasting impression once you’re in. Even if they don’t hire you for the position you applied for, this could lead to other opportunities in the future.
#6 Try Remote Work
Consider all options. There are a lot of remote iOS development jobs out there. Contact places out of state for remote positions. You might find a good opportunity that way.
#7 Stay Passionate
It’s so important to stay active and passionate about iOS. Try to make apps that you’re passionate about. It’s better telling job recruiters about apps you’re proud of. Think about what it’s like when you talk to someone about something they are excited about. It leaves a lasting impression. And, hiring managers want you to feel excited about the opportunity they have available.
#8 Make a Daily Routine
While on the job hunt, make it a daily routine. In your daily routine, you should be applying for jobs, developing more apps, studying job interview questions, and following up on job applications. It can take a lot of work to find a job. Setting this daily routine will help you get there.
#9 Track Your Efforts
Always track your efforts in trying to get a job. It will help you know that you’re trying which will help you from getting down. Keep track of your progress, and always learn from your experiences when trying to find a job.
#10 Network
Follow up with other friends in your cohort to see if there are any opportunities available. Also, reach out to anyone that knows you and ask them if the company they are working for is hiring a developer. Having a connection to someone on the inside is a huge help when trying to land a job.
#11 Update Your LinkedIn
Update your LinkedIn regularly. Many hiring managers may contact you via LinkedIn. And, during the hiring process, they will be taking a look at your LinkedIn. So, make sure it’s ready and updated.
#12 Take Part-Time Work
Take work wherever you can get it. In some cases, it many lead to a full-time position or it can give you leverage to work at another company. The more experience you can get, the better.
#13 Study Job Descriptions
Look at job descriptions and the technologies listed so that you’re up to date on what companies are looking for. If you find that you don’t know some of the technologies that are listed on different job descriptions, consider learning about those technologies. The more well rounded you are, the better chances you’ll have of finding a job.
#14 Mentor
Being a mentor could be the first solid step toward getting a job in the industry. Ask your iOS instructor about mentorship opportunities. If they don’t have any available, ask around. There are people that would like to have a mentor help them through the learning process. Being a mentor could also be a good thing to add to your resume. Companies want to see that you are making an effort to continue your learning.
#15 Go to Networking Events
DevMountain holds hiring, or networking, events. Attending these will open opportunities for you. Consider going to networking events outside of DevMountain. Crash a job fair at a local university. The more connections you make, the better chance you’ll have at finding a job.
#16 Email Recruiters
Frequently email recruiters from different companies. You may fear you are being annoying, but remember that they get more money when they recruit new people to their company. So, keep bugging recruiters. In the end, that may land you an interview.
#17 Sign Up for Job Postings
Sign up for Indeed email services where they send you job postings based on your search online. The more job postings that you are aware of, the more you can apply for. For some, it takes a lot of applications before landing a job interview. So, getting more applications in will improve your chances of finding a job.
#18 Don’t Be a Robot
Balance your life with exercise, family, and friends. Don’t become a robot. You will get burned out quickly if the only thing you are doing is applying for jobs. And frankly, companies don’t want to hire robots. Keep you passions up and express what your passions are to hiring managers. They want to see that you have a healthy work/life balance.
#19 Put Yourself Out There
Put yourself out there. Don’t let fear slow you down. Continue to show your passion for what you love. Call recruiters and be bold. Set up times that you can come in and meet with someone if they are hiring. Be you. That will be so beneficial to you as you are going through interviews.
#20 Be Open and Personal In Interviews
Hiring managers want to know who you are. So, be open and personal. That will really help you stand out. Some students have been in an interview and failed the coding challenge. In the end, they ended up getting hired because they were personable and open. It’s so important to be an easy person to talk with.
There you go. These 20 tips from 20 alumni could help you land the iOS development job you’ve been looking for. Good luck with your job search.
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