How to Get a Job After Graduating a Coding Bootcamp

Showing Off Your Skills

The most important thing you can do as a Junior iOS Developer is make sure you have an example of your work available in the App Store. No one except for other developers knows how to clone a project on GitHub, and if someone in HR reviewing your application can quickly download an app you’ve worked on, it’s easy and convenient for them to see that you’re qualified.

Your first app on the App Store can be something really simple, as long as it works. Some simple apps you can upload include:

• A todo list using Core Data.
• An app that uses Apple Maps to show restaurants nearby.
• An app with recipes or articles in a TableView.
• An assignment from your bootcamp.

Don’t let perfectionism stop you from uploading a project to the App Store. Being able to show potential employers something that’s simple and complete is much more valuable than work-in-progress screenshots from a more complex project.

Networking

Networking is an extremely important skill for getting started in tech. Connecting with other iOS developers is a great way to learn what the industry is like, improve your coding practices and learn more about popular tools developers regularly use that you might not know about yet.

Building a professional network is hugely helpful for advancing your dev career. Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Building a professional network is hugely helpful for advancing your dev career. Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Communicating with other software engineers can also be a great source of advice about looking for jobs or finding out about upcoming job openings.

iOS Meetups and study groups are excellent opportunities to start networking both online and in person. Prepare for a meetup by having a one-minute ‘pitch’ about yourself and what you do.

While it’s important to have a few sentences ready for when an interviewer says ‘Tell me about yourself,’ your networking pitch should not be the same thing. Keep it brief and casual. Look up the term ‘elevator pitch’ for some ideas on what to say.

Also, if someone at the meetup mentions that their company is hiring, make sure to find them and express that you’re interested in applying.

The best thing you can do to make connections at meetups is to become a speaker! You have the mic and everyone’s attention for a set amount of time — use that time to show off your knowledge and skills. Educate the crowd about something interesting and answer questions. At the end of your talk, have a panel of your slideshow that includes your contact information. You can casually mention that you’re looking for a job.

Example:

“I’m on LinkedIn and Twitter, and you can email me if you want to talk more about the exciting world of SwiftUI. Also, I’m currently open to new job opportunities or internships.”

A few ideas for short and accessible topics you could talk about are:

• XCode keyboard shortcuts people may not know.
• Brief introduction to using a helpful CocoaPod or library.
• Examples of design patterns.
• Getting started with SwiftUI.

Networking after giving a talk is great because people at the event will already know who you are, and they have a built-in conversation starter with you.

Add the people you meet at events on LinkedIn. If they work for a company that you’ve been wanting to apply to, send them a message and ask them what they like about their job or if they have any advice on what to look for when choosing companies to apply to.

If a position at your dream company opens up later and you apply, someone reading your resume might see that you’re already connected with someone at the company. It’s a good thing if someone at the company remembers you from a talk you gave that was directly related to the skills they’re hiring for.

Where to Go From Here?

Now that you’ve learned a few important things about where and how to apply for jobs, it’s time to start applying for them. Upload an example of your work to the App Store. Research companies in your area or check out a few job boards. Take some time to get to know other developers either online or in-person and put yourself out there. It can take several months to get that first job, but once you get it, you’ve completed the hardest part.

Key Takeaways

• Apply to larger companies with resources to train you.
• Don’t be afraid to reach out to companies and ask if they have any roles you would be a good fit for.
• You may not have a lot of experience yet, so it’s important to show that you know the basics and have an app in the App Store.
• Networking and making connections with other people in the industry is extremely important for building your skillset and finding job leads.

About the Author

Jay Strawn is a full-time iOS Developer and bootcamp graduate. He’s worked as a bootcamp instructor here at Kodeco, and has volunteered at tech organizations to review resumes and help people practice interview skills.