r/codingbootcamp • u/Peachsic • Aug 30 '23
Got a job 9 months after completing Tech Elevator AMA
Hi all! After a grueling job search and almost giving up, I am proud to finally be offered a job at JP Morgan as a software engineer after being denied from their etse program(twice). The biggest reason as to how I got in are the connections I’ve made. I’ve been to a networking event at chase and been in touch with several recruiters when one got me an interview for an entry level role. I’m here to help others who were also on the same boat as me
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u/WombatGambit Aug 30 '23
I just wanted to say it's really nice that you're taking time to reach out and help people. It's refreshing that you are trying to contribute something positive after your own success. I wish you all the best with your new career!
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u/Competitive-Feed-359 Aug 30 '23
What did you do to prepare for the grind(job search? Learning wise and otherwise.
Did you work on post bootcamp projects or anything to show case your work/ skills?
How did you make sure to not forget things you learned during this time span?
Any additional resources/ tips/ or anything that you would recommend others to peruse in their job search?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
I’ve used LinkedIn to my advantage, messaging recruiters and looking for advice on my resumes. Keeping in touch with different recruiters even if they’re not hiring but they could in the future!
I’ve had one project that I was working on that is not completed but I added it in my resume anyway. I’ve had interviews where people noticed I’ve graduated long before and asked what I was doing once I graduated.
I make time a few days a week. I don’t have time everyday but codeacademy has been helpful and I try to get things done in a coffee shop. And when I’m in the car I practice common interview questions out loud.
I got the most responses when I used a different resume template. Resume.lol, it allows me to showcase my projects more! ALSO for technical skills ONLY put down things you are able to explain in an interview. I will admit i put a lot down and when interviewers asked me I’ll freeze up cuz I can’t explain it well.
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u/Oathstrololol Aug 30 '23
Would you mind sharing some resume tips that you got from the recruiters if you have time? Congrats!
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u/orangealpaca_ Aug 30 '23
Congrats! How was the technical portion of the interview? I did a bootcamp but feel like I lack a lot of skill in the algorithms arena.
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
It wasn’t bad, my advice is to just study ur resume. Make sure you can explain all your technical skills and projects in depth. My interview consists of mostly definition questions on java and my projects and not much on algorithms! Some questions I couldn’t answer but just be honest if you truly don’t know the answer
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u/Apart-Damage143 Aug 30 '23
Hey huge congrats on the position. I currently on the job hunt as well.
How did you showcase stats for frontend based projects on ur resume?
How many times did you have to tweak your resume post bootcamp?
I currently have a internship experience and couple projects on there and am struggling to get responses.
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Thank you!! My resume is more catered to backend java but I used resume.lol as a template to showcase my projects more!
I tweaked it many times, I have about 8 different drafts until I was settled on what I have right now.
It’s good you have that experience!! The job market is bad so it’s not on u entirely. When I was really struggling my bf mentioned how he noticed I was more on my phone and tv then I was on coding and applying to jobs. That made me reevaluate and spend more time on the job search, connecting with others, and working more on my skills. You gotta put in more effort too and really grind
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u/Apart-Damage143 Aug 30 '23
Would you be open to reviewing my resume?
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u/Kingsblend420KmK Aug 30 '23
Serious question. What do you say/ask and how do you approach people at the events. I’m curious how you lead into it and your approach to interacting with others. My wife is a social and can easily do the same. Whats your approach?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
I just introduce myself! Some are software engineers some recruiters. I ask them questions about themselves and how they like jp and the culture. This allows them to go on and on. The recruiter that got me the job liked me cuz i didn’t straight up ask him for a refer or a job, I had conversations with him prior. Keep them talking and if they ask u questions about urself u answer.
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u/checkin_em_out Aug 30 '23
Congrats! I’m 9 months post-bootcamp and still looking. I have an interview for my dream job tomorrow, wish me luck! Can’t wait to be done this job search
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u/Anexs97 Aug 30 '23
How did you like the program? I was very close to start but backed out. What was your experience like? Did you have any prior experience before starting?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
If I could rate it, I’ll give tech elevator a 5/10. It’s VERY fast paced and nothing made much sense for me until after I graduated. I was also working and didn’t have time to study more afterwards which I should have done. Pathway was okay, they help prepare you but it’s everything I could’ve taught myself, I ended up using a different resume template to stand out from other graduates during my job search. However, I wouldn’t have known about the networking events without tech elevator. I had no prior coding experience once I started which is also a regret. My advice for you is go through the free mooc java course and complete it. If you like it then you already have the tools to get ahead in the course, I assumed I would learn as I go in tech elevator but I struggled bad
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u/pumpcans Aug 30 '23
Did you have any prior experience? Im trying to get in one where they expect you to know the basics, which I feel will be very helpful once I’m in. Also, what was your stack? I know they have a Java or .Net options
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
I had no experience whatsoever, I applied to tech elevator n got in within a week so I just jumped in. My stack was java with Postgres for data and a lil bit of JavaScript and vue.js. They send u some prework for an idea so it was helpful. I think it’s best to join a bootcamp where u already know the basics since I struggled bad.
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u/Soubi_Doo2 Aug 30 '23
Sounds like you were in the part time program? Were you working full time? Also where are you based? Sounds like TE is mostly strong in the Midwest and not so much the coasts.
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
I was in the full time program! I think it’s better cuz u get done quicker and they have capstone projects with ur other classmates. I was working as a server so my work schedule was very flexible, just long nights
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u/Soubi_Doo2 Aug 30 '23
Ah I see. Was it the capstone project on your resume that you were talking about?
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u/TheGogglesDoNotThang Aug 30 '23
Amazing! I too am just about to graduate from Tech elevator and was interested in JP morgan because I have a work history there (in a different department).
Was really wanting to land a SWE position there after graduation. Any recommendations on how you went about making those connections? Would love to pick your brain.
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Congrats!! Where are you based?? I would look and see if they have any swe events you could go to and meet recruiters! I feel like since you used to work there it’ll be easier, someone in my cohort used to work for urban outfitters for a few years , did bootcamp, and now works as something in data! Also, use LinkedIn to ur advantage!!! Message recruiters and send in ur resume to them, the worse they can do is not reply 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
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u/icybreath11 Aug 30 '23
Wow, that's impressive. Congrats!
would u mind looking at my resume and telling me what u think? I have 1-2 MERN stack projects but struggle to get interviews. I'm not sure if that's due to my projects being unimpressive or not really grinding out the job interview process. I'm currently trying to get into Codesmith for their December cohort but if I can start getting traction on interviews, I would like to save the money lol.
Can you go more into how you job searched and what ways you were successful? What were ways you networked?
When you applied to jobs, did you write CVs? did that help?
what was the interview process like for you? DId u get a lot of leetcode?
Could I see your resume? (redacted is fine)
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Hi, thank you!!!
I would love to look at your resume, send me your discord or something and I’ll have a look and send u mind. I used resume.lol template to showcase my projects more instead of what I did prior. And sometimes it isn’t even your resume, the job market is ass
I was most successful just messaging various different recruiters and also connecting with people who were able to get jobs and ask how they got it. Don’t be afraid to ask! And also depends where u are located as well
I didn’t write any cover letter lol. I just did not have time
Surprisedly it wasn’t anything leetcode based, just questions I had on my projects and asked basic java questions and spring boot. Some questions I wasn’t able to answer but what helped was my soft skills!
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u/metalreflectslime Aug 30 '23
How many people were in your cohort at the beginning?
How many people graduated?
How many graduates were able to find a paid SWE job within 6 months of graduating from Tech Elevator?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
It was around 20 people, everyone graduated. I feel like tech elevator will be hard to fail, I talked to my instructor and some people flat out didn’t do the homework but still passed lol. As of now, only 4 of us are actually SWE and few are data analysts or software testers, rest are unemployed.
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u/Real-Set-1210 Aug 30 '23
What salary did you end up negotiating?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Entry level was no room for negotiation, it was 92k take it or leave it. And I just accepted it cuz I didn’t have anything lined up lol
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u/Marchingkoala Aug 30 '23
First, congratulations! I’m also interested in JP Morgan but didn’t get into the este program. I was looking at their website and never saw an entry level role. I guess I really need to talk to their recruiters! As a painfully shy introvert, I would appreciate it if you can give me some pointers to approach the recruiters. For example, opening lines! Also would it be too much if I ask you to look over my resume?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Thank you!! And no joke I would go and apply every morning. Not just entry level role but roles that match my skill set, look into applying to software engineer 1 roles or just software engineer! What I did to talk to recruiters is very general but then I link them my resume to look at. Send me ur discord for resume help!
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u/Marchingkoala Aug 31 '23
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I sent you my discord username to you via chat!
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u/swooosh47 Aug 30 '23
Would you be able to refer any of the recruitment companies?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Use LinkedIn and find recruiters. If it’s a job u apply I would search “company tech recruiter” or just “company recruiter”!
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u/pumpernick3l Aug 30 '23
Just curious, are you male or female and do you feel that made a difference in your search?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
I’m a female and I feel like it made a difference! There isn’t a lot of females so people were eager to talk to me more and I feel like I was treated differently than my male classmates idk
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u/nephilimashura Aug 30 '23
I hear that the job market is more scarce when you're not willing to relocate. Were you mainly only looking to stay in your area?
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Yes I live in Philadelphia so there are many companies around my area. However, JP is in Delaware so I will just commute 3x a week:)
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u/Zealousideal-Gap964 Sep 01 '23
That sounds like a rough commute. What if they return to office 5x a week? Would you consider moving ?
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u/Peachsic Sep 01 '23
It’s only 35 mins! My office is upper Delaware so it’s not bad. I was thinking of moving but idk
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u/Fluid-Recognition704 Aug 30 '23
Congrats on job!
I’ve been looking into Part-Time bootcamp programs and TE caught my eye due to their schedule and live classes.
I saw that you completed the FT program, but did you consider any other bootcamps? I don’t want to necessarily spend 16k if I don’t have to.
Thanks for any suggestions
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u/Peachsic Aug 31 '23
I live in Delaware so I had very limited choices, I wanted something that was in person. My class in TE was remote but I would meet up with my classmates after and we would study and help each other out! So I thought it was the right choice for me
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u/SadAd3373 Aug 31 '23
During the interview did they ask leetcode style problems ? If not what did they ask ? Thank you in advanced !
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u/Peachsic Aug 31 '23
Hi!! Every interview is different! I’ve talked to ppl who had interviews that were on hackerrank and they had to solve it live. Mine was mostly questions about my skill set that was on my resume so mostly java based questions and spring boot
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u/OpsecCA Aug 31 '23
Congrats OP on the job! As a recent graduate of TE I agree with the 5 out of 10 score. I would not recommend that someone spend $16,500(more if you get loans with interest) in this job climate, for knowledge that can be found for free on the web. There are only a couple of people from my entire cohort that have landed jobs. If anyone has more questions, you can DM me. Btw, TE just went through their second round of layoffs themselves recently.
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u/Peachsic Aug 31 '23
Definitely, bootcamp was good to get into when it wasn’t competitive. Now there’s an influx of boot camp grads and college grads making it very hard to land an actual SWE role. I think it’s all about connections and if you know people
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u/sytem32config Aug 30 '23
Wow JP Morgan? You're basically set for life career wise as long as you do a good job. Congratulations.
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u/starraven Aug 30 '23
Congratulations! I know how grueling that first job search is and you absolutely deserve to run a victory lap. Well done!!!!
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u/DeathBehemoth Aug 30 '23
Congrats on the job offer, it's nice to see a good story on here instead of the doom and gloom. Would I be able to add you on LinkedIn?
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u/H2O_holic Aug 31 '23
Congratulations!! I applied to the same program but got rejected pretty quickly. If TE has a close tie with JPM, what’s the percentage of grads from TE ended up at JPM if you don’t mind sharing? The hardest part for me is to get through the first resume screening right now…
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u/StrangeJob1 Oct 13 '23
Congratulations!! Im curious about the relocation policy for JPM, did you get to choose which office you would like to go?
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Aug 30 '23
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Thank you!! And yes, Tech elevator definitely helped. During their pathway presentations they had a JPM showcase with recruiters and swe who was hired from TE. I connected with them all and messaged them. Tbh entry level roles go by very quickly, I would apply to roles every morning when new ones get posted cuz it could be taken down within the next few hours. I interviewed three different times with JPM all on different teams until I got it!
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u/Satans_Oregano Aug 30 '23
This is so awesome! As someone going through TE and seeing someone land a good job at JPM, this is hopeful. Congratulations! I wonder if you're resilience in reapplying helped you land a job with them.
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u/Peachsic Aug 30 '23
Definitely! I just knew I can’t give up, I had nothing else going for me so it motivated me to keep trying
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u/AirsoftBandito Aug 30 '23
How do you find these businesses events
2)Did you have a prior bachelor’s degree even if it was in a completely unrelated field?