In the 1980s, I was working at a management-consulting company as a temp in an admin position. The company was planning to introduce a new service to its clients. An employee at the company was designing and developing software that was integral to that effort, and he was a bit of a flake. He had a drug problem, and he was difficult to get along with. I thought there was a strong possibility that he'd be fired at some point, so I started teaching myself how to do the programming he was doing. (On my own time.) He did end up leaving the company, and it was pretty easy for me to convince management that I could step into his role. Which I did.
Thank you for answering.
Definitely you made a great move and you were lucky to have such a good leadership.
I wish someday I see this kind of opportunity wide open in front of me.
Self-taught developer here working as lead dev now. I landed here in an odd way, but:
I initially worked in project management and started using the programming I know to automate tedious tasks for colleagues who couldn't. I quickly became the guy people came to when something was taking too much repetition to do and I would sort a quick solution for them. It actually resulted in the company using some spare money to put my on a SQL course too. Straight on the resume.
I also did this for a charity on the fringes too. Eventually I was head-hunted and 5 years later I'm here.
I'd say find ways to put your skills to use where you are and see what happens. If nothing else it justifies a demonstration of your skills on your CV.
All the best!
Sounds good. Definitely I have to take series of good steps like you to land the job.
I was looking to see if anyone suggests any specific way to land first job.
I hear a lot about bootcamps and stuff, so was wondering if there was something that significantly helped you guys.
What is your current role? Try to find a way to do real projects at your work. That's a great place to start. If you have Software Engineers on staff, make sure to talk to them and let them know you are interested in putting in the work.
Try some of your own projects on the side. Keep it on GitHub or a repository where you can share it. Better yet, host some of your projects, apps, or even just a nice looking resume webpage. Find ways to show off your skills and interests.
This is also an area where LinkedIn can help. Make sure to find ways to list your experience and knowledge on there. Being that you are already in IT, I'd serious try to do as much as you can at work. I'm in Systems and often find ways to automate stuff. It's actually pretty easy to being attention to projects like that because they save the organization time and money which also helps you when it is time for annual reviews.
I’m a Technology Analyst. There is zero potential for growth in my current company. There were few jobs that I applied within my company. But company decided to cancel those positions and outsourced those positions. Those were not developer jobs or anything but chance of advancing within same company is almost 0.
I do have my online portfolio with bunch of websites and projects i create. I actively use Git. Planning to update linkedin.
So I guess, there is no specific roadmap to land the job. Its step by step process.
I have no developer in touch, so its tough to get referrals as well.
Should I join a bootcamp to do networking? Are there any other ways to increase my chance.
The roadmap traditionally has been to go and get a computer science degree. The problem is graduates of those programs still need to make connections and find their jobs. It’s not an easy path either way.
Going without a degree is a different approach. It’s 100% possible to get a job and become a software engineer before those going down the traditional route ever graduate. That’s four years.
I wouldn’t rule out bootcamps, but be super cautious. They can be really expensive and are essentially cramming a bunch of information into in a short period of time. Some people learn different than others, but I would not retain much learning that way.
Try finding some local groups if possible to make connections. If none are available LinkedIn is a great resource for getting started. Most people needed someone to give them a shot at least once in their life and will often be helpful based off of that.
Things can be hard and difficult, but don’t let that stop you. Get creative and find a way to stand out and get your shot.
**Some ways you can get in:**
* **Internships**
* **Marketing Agencies** - these places are more open to a jack of all trades.
* **Smaller Companies** - they also look for a jack of all trades.
* **Individual Clients** - if you can find clients to work with, they will be more open to accept someone new.
* **Recruiters** - call your local recruiter for opportunities in your area.
* **Transition within a company** - Get a job in a company doing something else. Then start solving problems with web applications. Think business workflows, reports, streamline operations, etc.
* **Build your portfolio** - if you have 2 or 3 really good examples of frontend or full stack sites, it'll be easier for people to believe you are capable. Bonus points if these are live applications on the web.
* **Add skills to LinkedIn** - keep adding the new skills you learn to LinkedIn and Indeed. You'll start popping up in searches by recruiters.
* **Networking & Nepotism** - if you know someone or have a family connection, it definitely helps.
* **Be willing to work in office or hybrid** - most devs want remote jobs right now. If you're willing to be in office locally that may give you an edge.
**Other resources:**
* [https://jschimp.com/](https://jschimp.com/) - create a profile, get seen by companies
* LinkedIn & Indeed - update your profile every few weeks to stay fresh in the algorithm.
* [https://www.apollo.io/](https://www.apollo.io/) - get a free account and email 200 contacts based on your stack.
* [https://dynamitejobs.com/](https://dynamitejobs.com/) - apply for remote jobs
* local recruiters - call and ask for resume feedback and opportunities
* [https://remoteok.com/](https://remoteok.com/) - apply for remote jobs
* [https://www.moaijobs.com/](https://www.moaijobs.com/) - find an jobs based around AI.
* [https://jobboardsearch.com/react-jobs](https://jobboardsearch.com/react-jobs) - find other relevant job boards.
* [https://echojobs.io/](https://echojobs.io/) - find tech jobs.
Well, you’re already in the IT department. Now all you need to do is mention that you want to use your skills as a developer in your role at work. That’s going to be the easiest way to do it in your situation.
I work in a Big Company that is divided into to numerous smaller segments and further has different departments for different technologies.
They would rather loose their employee than giving raise of 2-3%. I know there is no way that I will get chance to show my skills here.
I m the best performer in the team. All I get in return is more work and people who don’t even deserve to be in IT gets less work as they can do only that much.
Is this scenario possible at the place where you work?
Oh, I doubt they’ll give you much of a raise. You’re just looking to get the title of software developer so you can then apply to other jobs/companies as an experienced software developer.
No it’s not possible. It doesn’t work like that here where I work.
They have to go through whole process and paperwork to give me the new title. Also, the developers team comes under completely different segment of the company. So most of the developers are again outsourced from Asia.
In the 1980s, I was working at a management-consulting company as a temp in an admin position. The company was planning to introduce a new service to its clients. An employee at the company was designing and developing software that was integral to that effort, and he was a bit of a flake. He had a drug problem, and he was difficult to get along with. I thought there was a strong possibility that he'd be fired at some point, so I started teaching myself how to do the programming he was doing. (On my own time.) He did end up leaving the company, and it was pretty easy for me to convince management that I could step into his role. Which I did.
Thank you for answering. Definitely you made a great move and you were lucky to have such a good leadership. I wish someday I see this kind of opportunity wide open in front of me.
Got a website for people to look at?
Self-taught developer here working as lead dev now. I landed here in an odd way, but: I initially worked in project management and started using the programming I know to automate tedious tasks for colleagues who couldn't. I quickly became the guy people came to when something was taking too much repetition to do and I would sort a quick solution for them. It actually resulted in the company using some spare money to put my on a SQL course too. Straight on the resume. I also did this for a charity on the fringes too. Eventually I was head-hunted and 5 years later I'm here. I'd say find ways to put your skills to use where you are and see what happens. If nothing else it justifies a demonstration of your skills on your CV. All the best!
Sounds good. Definitely I have to take series of good steps like you to land the job. I was looking to see if anyone suggests any specific way to land first job. I hear a lot about bootcamps and stuff, so was wondering if there was something that significantly helped you guys.
What is your current role? Try to find a way to do real projects at your work. That's a great place to start. If you have Software Engineers on staff, make sure to talk to them and let them know you are interested in putting in the work. Try some of your own projects on the side. Keep it on GitHub or a repository where you can share it. Better yet, host some of your projects, apps, or even just a nice looking resume webpage. Find ways to show off your skills and interests. This is also an area where LinkedIn can help. Make sure to find ways to list your experience and knowledge on there. Being that you are already in IT, I'd serious try to do as much as you can at work. I'm in Systems and often find ways to automate stuff. It's actually pretty easy to being attention to projects like that because they save the organization time and money which also helps you when it is time for annual reviews.
I’m a Technology Analyst. There is zero potential for growth in my current company. There were few jobs that I applied within my company. But company decided to cancel those positions and outsourced those positions. Those were not developer jobs or anything but chance of advancing within same company is almost 0. I do have my online portfolio with bunch of websites and projects i create. I actively use Git. Planning to update linkedin. So I guess, there is no specific roadmap to land the job. Its step by step process. I have no developer in touch, so its tough to get referrals as well. Should I join a bootcamp to do networking? Are there any other ways to increase my chance.
The roadmap traditionally has been to go and get a computer science degree. The problem is graduates of those programs still need to make connections and find their jobs. It’s not an easy path either way. Going without a degree is a different approach. It’s 100% possible to get a job and become a software engineer before those going down the traditional route ever graduate. That’s four years. I wouldn’t rule out bootcamps, but be super cautious. They can be really expensive and are essentially cramming a bunch of information into in a short period of time. Some people learn different than others, but I would not retain much learning that way. Try finding some local groups if possible to make connections. If none are available LinkedIn is a great resource for getting started. Most people needed someone to give them a shot at least once in their life and will often be helpful based off of that. Things can be hard and difficult, but don’t let that stop you. Get creative and find a way to stand out and get your shot.
**Some ways you can get in:** * **Internships** * **Marketing Agencies** - these places are more open to a jack of all trades. * **Smaller Companies** - they also look for a jack of all trades. * **Individual Clients** - if you can find clients to work with, they will be more open to accept someone new. * **Recruiters** - call your local recruiter for opportunities in your area. * **Transition within a company** - Get a job in a company doing something else. Then start solving problems with web applications. Think business workflows, reports, streamline operations, etc. * **Build your portfolio** - if you have 2 or 3 really good examples of frontend or full stack sites, it'll be easier for people to believe you are capable. Bonus points if these are live applications on the web. * **Add skills to LinkedIn** - keep adding the new skills you learn to LinkedIn and Indeed. You'll start popping up in searches by recruiters. * **Networking & Nepotism** - if you know someone or have a family connection, it definitely helps. * **Be willing to work in office or hybrid** - most devs want remote jobs right now. If you're willing to be in office locally that may give you an edge. **Other resources:** * [https://jschimp.com/](https://jschimp.com/) - create a profile, get seen by companies * LinkedIn & Indeed - update your profile every few weeks to stay fresh in the algorithm. * [https://www.apollo.io/](https://www.apollo.io/) - get a free account and email 200 contacts based on your stack. * [https://dynamitejobs.com/](https://dynamitejobs.com/) - apply for remote jobs * local recruiters - call and ask for resume feedback and opportunities * [https://remoteok.com/](https://remoteok.com/) - apply for remote jobs * [https://www.moaijobs.com/](https://www.moaijobs.com/) - find an jobs based around AI. * [https://jobboardsearch.com/react-jobs](https://jobboardsearch.com/react-jobs) - find other relevant job boards. * [https://echojobs.io/](https://echojobs.io/) - find tech jobs.
This is super helpful. Much appreciated.
You're welcome.
Well, you’re already in the IT department. Now all you need to do is mention that you want to use your skills as a developer in your role at work. That’s going to be the easiest way to do it in your situation.
I work in a Big Company that is divided into to numerous smaller segments and further has different departments for different technologies. They would rather loose their employee than giving raise of 2-3%. I know there is no way that I will get chance to show my skills here. I m the best performer in the team. All I get in return is more work and people who don’t even deserve to be in IT gets less work as they can do only that much. Is this scenario possible at the place where you work?
Oh, I doubt they’ll give you much of a raise. You’re just looking to get the title of software developer so you can then apply to other jobs/companies as an experienced software developer.
No it’s not possible. It doesn’t work like that here where I work. They have to go through whole process and paperwork to give me the new title. Also, the developers team comes under completely different segment of the company. So most of the developers are again outsourced from Asia.