How to Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp: Guide to Coding Bootcamp Jobs
A coding bootcamp can teach you in-demand programming languages as well as soft and technical skills. But is getting a high-paying programming job after a coding bootcamp easy? Many bootcamp grads find jobs after coding bootcamps even though the job search can be tough.
This article will define coding bootcamps and dive into the most common jobs for bootcamp grads. We also take a look at other opportunities to pursue after a coding bootcamp and the coding schools that offer job guarantees. After you read this guide, you can easily get a job after your coding bootcamp.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Coding Bootcamp?
- Do Coding Bootcamps Get You Jobs?
- Top Coding Bootcamps With a Job Guarantee
- How to Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp
- How Much Do Coding Bootcamp Graduates Make?
- Common Jobs After Coding Bootcamp: An Overview
- Companies That Hire Coding Bootcamp Graduates
What Is a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is a learning path that offers short, career-specific programs to help you work in the technology field. By joining a coding bootcamp, you can learn machine learning, in-demand programming languages, and web development. Many coding bootcamps provide technical experience through hands-on projects and internships.
Coding bootcamps equip students with a strong foundation to take on entry-level jobs in their desired career field. Compared to traditional education, coding bootcamps are shorter, cheaper, and more flexible. Getting a job after a coding bootcamp is also made easier by bootcamp career services and technical interview prep.
Why You Should Attend a Coding Bootcamp
Many students opt for coding bootcamps because they typically offer online programs, which is one of the most common benefits of a coding bootcamp. In addition, coding bootcamps charge all students the same tuition fees, regardless of their location. Most colleges or universities charge out-of-state students higher fees.
This learning pathway is also more flexible, as coding bootcamps generally have full-time, part-time, online, and in-person study options. Although some coding bootcamps are pricey, their programs are typically cheaper than a college degree. In addition, you won’t have to worry about many of the fees that college students have to deal with, such as books, supplies, and transportation.
You should go to a coding bootcamp because you can learn the skills you need within a few months. This means you can start working and earning an income sooner. Most bootcamp grads get a job within six months of graduation with high average salaries. The coding bootcamp benefits are endless.
Do Coding Bootcamps Get You Jobs?
It’s very likely that you will land a job after a coding bootcamp. For example, the job placement rate for BloomTech was 90 percent in 2021. As well, in 2019, 99 percent of General Assembly grads who participated in career services found jobs in their field. Coding bootcamp job placement rates are usually quite high.
Coding bootcamps with job placement provide students with the industry-specific skills that employers are looking for. Their goal is to get students a job as quickly as possible, and in some cases, you can get your money back if you don’t find a job. Coding bootcamp job placement services are the best way to get a job in tech.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp?
How long it takes to land a job after completing a coding bootcamp varies between students. It’s always a good idea to choose a coding bootcamp that offers a job guarantee to ensure you start working after graduation. Getting a job after your coding bootcamp will usually take two to six months, but it will be faster if you get more programming experience and practice job interviews.
Coding Bootcamp Job Guarantee
A coding bootcamp job guarantee is an agreement that can help you get a job after your coding bootcamp. In many cases, your job guarantee will include career services and a money-back guarantee if you can’t find a job. These agreements differ between schools, so take a look at the guide below to see which coding bootcamps with job guarantees will work for you.
Top Coding Bootcamps With a Job Guarantee
If you want to break into the technology field, look for a coding bootcamp job guarantee. To help you out, we have put together a list of the top 10 coding bootcamps with job guarantees. Some of the bootcamps on this list will refund your tuition if you don’t get a job. Others offer income share agreements (ISAs) or deferred tuition.
Bloom Institute of Technology (Previously Lambda School)
- Programs: Data Science, Backend Development, Full Stack Web Development, Web3 Development
- Tuition: $21,950
- Job Guarantee: Tuition Refund, Deferred Tuition
The Bloom Institute of Technology, also known as BloomTech, is an entirely online bootcamp offering full-time programs. You will learn programming skills for full stack development and backend development. This coding bootcamp has a great variety of career services, and students have access to a tuition refund guarantee as well as a deferred tuition plan.
CareerFoundry
- Programs: Data Analytics, UX Design, UI Design, Web Development, Digital Marketing
- Tuition: $690 – $7,900
- Job Guarantee: Tuition Refund
Offering a remote bootcamp education, CareerFoundry guarantees a job placement within 180 days of graduation. According to the bootcamp’s official website, the average amount of time it takes for graduates to find a job is 75 days. You can study at your own pace and access career services like mentorship, career coaching, and resume support.
Codeup
- Programs: Data Science, Web Development, Cloud Administration
- Tuition: $27,500
- Job Guarantee: Tuition Refund
Codeup offers three different programs that can help you get a coding job at one of the best tech companies in the country. If you can’t get a job after six months of graduation, Codeup will refund your tuition in full. The bootcamp programs run for 22 weeks, and all classes are guided. Codeup also provides you with a student placement team to help you land a job much faster.
Devmountain
- Programs: Web Development, Java Software Engineering, Python Software Engineering, Data Analytics, iOS Development, Quality Assurance Software, UX Design, Cyber Security, Coding Basics
- Tuition: $49 – $9,900
- Job Guarantee: Stride Income Share Agreement
Devmountain offers remote, in-person, part-time, and full-time programs. It has many financial aid options, including the Stride ISA, which allows students to not pay tuition until they find a job. Keep in mind that Stride Funding is a third-party partner and that you should read the fine print before you sign an agreement.
Hack Reactor
- Programs: Software Engineering
- Tuition: $17,980
- Job Guarantee: Galvanize Income Share Agreement
Hack Reactor’s income share agreement is also offered through Stride. You don’t have to pay tuition during your program, and you will start paying back your loan once you get a job that pays at least $60,000 per year. The payments will be 10 percent of your monthly income, so if you have a high salary, you will have to pay more.
Launch School
- Programs: Software Development
- Tuition: $199 per month
- Job Guarantee: Deferred Payment Program (DPP)
Launch School offers deferred tuition for its software development program. Instead of the usual monthly payments during the program, you can pay per month after you graduate and get a job. Keep in mind that you will have to pay more in total if you choose the DPP, but it is worth it if you want to become a junior developer or software engineer.
Springboard
- Programs: Data Science, Data Analytics, ML Engineering, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, UI/UX Design, UX Design, Tech Sales
- Tuition: $5,000 – $13,050
- Job Guarantee: Tuition Refund, Deferred Tuition
Springboard is an online-only bootcamp that offers a wide variety of bootcamps and career track certificate programs. There are extensive career development services available along with a tuition refund guarantee and deferred tuition option. Before you start your program, you can speak with an admissions rep to see which coding bootcamp job guarantee option is best for you.
Thinkful
- Programs: Software Engineering, Data Science, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Technical Project Management, UX/UI Design
- Tuition: $4,900 – $16,000
- Job Guarantee: Tuition Refund, Deferred Tuition
This bootcamp provider offers distance education for aspiring tech beginners. Students receive mentorship throughout their programs, and Thinkful has many hiring partners to maximize your chances of finding a job after the coding bootcamp. If you want to know how to get a job after your coding bootcamp, you can work with Thinkful’s career mentors.
How to Get a Job After Coding Bootcamp
Finding a job after coding bootcamp can be an exciting and transformative phase of your career journey. With the right approach and strategies, you can leverage your newly acquired coding skills to secure a fulfilling position in the tech industry. By following the five steps below, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the process of finding a job after coding bootcamp.
Build a Strong Portfolio
Creating a compelling portfolio is a vital first step when seeking a job after coding bootcamp. Your portfolio showcases the projects you’ve worked on during your bootcamp, highlighting your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Choose a diverse range of projects that demonstrate your versatility and proficiency in various programming languages and technologies. Remember to emphasize projects that align with the specific job roles you’re targeting, whether it’s front end development, backend engineering, or full stack development.
Network and Engage in the Tech Community
Networking plays a significant role in finding a job after coding bootcamp. Attend tech meetups, conferences, and online forums to connect with industry professionals, fellow bootcamp graduates, and potential employers. Engaging with the tech community exposes you to job opportunities, insights about company cultures, and valuable advice from experienced professionals.
Make sure to utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn to build your online presence, share your projects, and connect with professionals in your desired field. Participating in hackathons, coding challenges, and open-source projects can also help you establish your reputation and make meaningful connections.
Tailor Your Job Search
When seeking a job after coding bootcamp, it’s important to tailor your job search to your skills, preferences, and career goals. Research companies that align with your values and interests, and focus on roles that match your skillset. Don’t be afraid to start with entry-level positions or internships to gain valuable industry experience.
During the job hunt, take advantage of job boards, company websites, and industry-specific platforms to search for openings. Also, remember to customize your resume and cover letter for each application, highlighting relevant projects, skills, and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the role.
Leverage Bootcamp Resources
Many coding bootcamps offer career services and resources to help graduates find jobs after completing their programs. Take advantage of these resources, which can include resume reviews, mock interviews, job placement assistance, and networking events.
Likewise, make sure to attend workshops on interview preparation, salary negotiation, and job search strategies to enhance your job-seeking skills and boost your confidence during the application process. Finally, your coding bootcamp may have partnerships with tech companies. Take advantage of them to directly connect with potential employers.
Prepare for Technical Interviews
Technical interviews are a common part of the job search process in the tech industry. After completing your coding bootcamp, dedicate time to practicing coding challenges, data structure problems, and algorithm questions. Online platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal offer a range of practice problems and mock interviews.
Additionally, review fundamental concepts and coding best practices and practice your answer to common computer science interview questions. Participating in mock interviews or coding interview preparation courses can help you refine your problem-solving skills and increase your chances of performing well during technical interviews.
How Much Do Coding Bootcamp Graduates Make?
The average coding bootcamp graduate salary is around $109,020 per year, according to the average salary for software developers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). You can also become a data scientist and make about $100,910 per year, or an information security analyst with $102,600 per year, both according to the BLS.
Your salary after coding bootcamp primarily depends on your experience, qualifications, and location. Naturally, if you work hard to build your skills during the bootcamp, you will earn a higher entry-level coder salary. When getting a job after a coding bootcamp, you might have to start from the bottom and move up to bigger numbers.
Common Jobs After Coding Bootcamp: An Overview
| Position | Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Product Manager | $127,150 | 10% |
| Software Developer | $120,730 | 25% |
| Data Scientist | $100,910 | 36% |
| DevOps Engineer | $103,373 | 25%* |
| Data Analyst | $82,360 | 23% |
| Web Developer | $79,890 | 23% |
| Software Engineer | $77,770 | 25%* |
| Application Developer | $80,925 | 25%* |
| Full Stack Developer | $75,057 | 25%* |
| Technical Help Desk Specialist | $62,760 | 6% |
* Figure from BLS statistics on software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers
A Closer Look at the Most Common Jobs After Coding Bootcamp
There are many jobs after coding bootcamp programs with high average salaries. Before you apply, be mindful of the experience requirements for coding bootcamp graduate jobs. You might need a formal degree or extra experience. If you want to get a job after your coding bootcamp, read the list of common career paths below.
Product Manager
Product managers have the technical skills to conduct research, define a product’s vision, and execute a competitive analysis. These managers also have the soft skills to direct projects, communicate product capabilities and vulnerabilities, and take user needs into consideration. This is one of the best jobs for coding bootcamp grads who enjoy management positions and one of the highest-paying jobs in tech.
Software Developer
The software development process includes researching, designing, and managing software platforms. This tech job includes evaluating, maintaining, and updating existing programs and applying coding skills to write source code. This is one of the most common jobs after attending a coding bootcamp on software engineering or development.
Data Scientist
Bootcamp students who love working with statistics, math, probability, machine learning, and predictive analysis may be interested in becoming data scientists. You will build machine learning algorithms, organize data, and gather unstructured and structured data. There are lots of coding bootcamp graduate jobs in the data science field.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers build and configure development tools, identify stakeholders’ needs, and automate processes so that the development and operations teams cooperate seamlessly. They also test and improve code and optimize product releases. This position requires strong organizational abilities as well as soft skills.
DevOps is a popular job after coding bootcamp. While some bootcamps offer career tracks specifically on DevOps, there are also many people who graduate from software engineering or web development bootcamps and choose to become DevOps engineers if they enjoy facilitating collaboration across different teams.
Data Analyst
Bootcamp grads often become data analysts who collect, organize, and analyze data for organizations of all kinds. They source missing data, set up data frameworks, and identify data sources with the help of SQL and other tools. There are lots of data analytics bootcamps out there that can help you find jobs after your coding bootcamp.
Web Developer
Web developers use programming languages and technologies to write source code, debug software applications, and monitor web traffic. These professionals collaborate with software developers and similar experts to present design projects and maintain websites. This is one of the most common types of jobs for coding bootcamp graduates.
Software Engineer
Software engineering requires practical skills to improve system quality, identify common patterns, develop operating procedures, and update applications. You must also develop, test, and implement software based on your clients’ needs. To become a software engineer, you can attend a coding bootcamp or get a degree.
Application Developer
Application developers work with small and large businesses to design and implement an application development process. These developers must write high-quality code, test applications for bugs, and achieve the vision that the stakeholders have for the application.
Because most people who attend a software engineering or web development bootcamp work on one or more applications during their program to hone their skills, app developer is one of the most common jobs after a coding bootcamp.
Full Stack Developer
After your bootcamp experience, you can become a full stack developer to design user interactions and write code. Full stack developers also have the practical skills to clean up code and work on both the backend and the front end. This job has a very high growth rate, which means it has a bright future with many open positions.
Securing a full stack job after coding bootcamp may prove tricky as companies often demand several years of experience for this position. Instead, you can start working as a front end or backend developer and slowly move toward a full stack position by gathering new skills and honing existing ones.
Technical Help Desk Specialist
Do you like the idea of providing technical assistance for all computer hardware and software needs? Technical help desk specialist might be the right job for you. These professionals also install computer applications and monitor computer networks. They can work at many different types of companies to help employees and clients. While this is not a common job after bootcamp, the skills you learn during your program will allow you to apply for positions in this field.
Companies That Hire Coding Bootcamp Graduates
If you are wondering how to get a job at Microsoft or another tech giant, you should know that many of these companies are known for hiring bootcamp graduates. Companies that hire bootcamp grads include Uber, Spotify, Lyft, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and IBM. You will also have an increased chance of finding a job at Vimeo, Mobify, Amazon, Razorfish, or Cisco. There are lots of companies that hire coding bootcamp graduates, so do your research to find positions that work for you.
Other Opportunities to Pursue After Coding Bootcamp
If you’re wondering what to do after your coding bootcamp, there are lots of different pathways you can choose. You can get your computer science degree, find a relevant job, or freelance after your code bootcamp. Read below to learn more about the best career options after completing your bootcamp.
- Become a freelancer. Instead of entering the workforce, you can launch a self-employed freelance career. While these jobs have less security than traditional careers, the upside is that you can determine your rate, working hours, and where you want to work.
- Further your education. After a coding bootcamp, get your computer science degree. Many bootcamp grads also choose to learn additional skills instead of joining the workforce right away. You can choose to enroll in a degree program or a short course, depending on your preference, experience, and career ambitions. However much your bootcamp program taught you, there’s always more to learn.
- Teach others. You can also become a teacher after your program. Your bootcamp experience would have equipped you with basic knowledge to teach tech newbies. With that knowledge, you can start designing online courses while working on your teaching style to become a teacher right after your bootcamp program.
How to Get a Job After a Coding Bootcamp
To find jobs after a coding bootcamp, you need to leverage your network. This means getting on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with professionals and organizations in your industry. Taking this course of action will help you solidify industry relations, so when a vacancy opens, you’re first in line.
Gaining practical experience will also increase your chances of finding a job after graduation. Employers want someone with technical expertise, so consider attending an apprenticeship or an internship. Getting a job after a coding bootcamp sometimes requires extra experience, but overall, a bootcamp will prepare you for a high-paying career.
Getting a Job After a Coding Bootcamp FAQ
After completing a coding bootcamp, explore coding bootcamp jobs by building a strong portfolio, networking, and tailoring your job search. Leverage bootcamp resources and prepare for technical interviews to secure rewarding jobs after coding bootcamp.
How do I put a coding bootcamp on my resume?Â
You should put a coding bootcamp on your resume in the education section. If you learned specific skills, like Python or DevOps, you should put them in your skills section. If you want to know how to put a coding bootcamp on your resume, try looking at examples from coding bootcamp grads.
Does Google hire coding bootcamp graduates?
Yes, Google does hire bootcamp graduates. Companies like IBM, Facebook, Vimeo, Mobify, and Spotify also hire bootcamp graduates. Most, if not all, of top tech companies today hire coding bootcamp grads. Getting a job after a coding bootcamp is easy if you apply for the right jobs.
How can I prepare for a coding bootcamp program?
You can prepare for a coding bootcamp by brushing up on your skills. Try taking some free courses or watching YouTube videos about your preferred topic. You can also see how to prepare for a coding bootcamp on your bootcamp’s official website. Many bootcamps have prep courses or guidelines to help you get started.
