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Switching Careers: My Experience

I'm now a fully fledged software engineer but this wasn't my first career. Here's my story and my top tips for switching careers!
Adam Levin

VP of Software Engineering, Dryden Group

Honestly, it was one of the scariest things I ever did. I sold my small tutoring company without any new job lined up. I did that without knowing that anyone would take a risk on an untried programmer and devoted my time to taking my development skills to the next level, attending coding meet-ups and applying for jobs. 

I applied for jobs and heard nothing back. Thinking back on it, my resume would have looked out of place along side the other people applying for the same jobs. While I had been coding for years, my job experience was as a teacher, tutor and small business owner. The first job I got was an unpaid internship at a startup. That job allowed me to put down that I was a developer on my resume and then I started getting callbacks and interviews at jobs.

However, where I got an interview and an offer was from a friend I had met at a local coding meet-up. That position took me from a junior developer to my current title of VP of software engineering.

Now for those tips I promised:

1. Attend meetups

This is my number one tip as it is what got me a job. Meetups are attended by a mix of beginners, job seekers and people already working in the industry. Choose a meetup you enjoy attending and get to know the people. Even if they are only a beginner, soon enough, they may be a person with a job to offer at a place you want to work!

2. Level Up Your Skills

This one doesn't need much explanation. Keep practicing, keep studying, keep doing projects!

3. Study keywords in job posts

Does every job post you are looking at mention AWS? If so, go back to #2 and try to build some skills in that area. You don't have to do this for every bit of technology you see mentioned...you'd spread yourself too thin and the listed job requirements are often a wish list of skills designed make people careful about self-selecting to apply (which unfortunately introduces a gender bias). But for some of those key technologies you see again and again, get yourself at least familiar enough to talk about them.

4. Learn the recruiting system

Some companies use software that screens resumes and automatically rejects resumes that don't include enough keywords that match the job description. When your work experience is in other areas, it can be hard to get past even this automated barrier. And sometimes you'll hit a similar barrier talking to the job recruiter. Not every recruiter has a technical background so it may be mainly the buzz words they are focused on. You may have experience in Vue, but if they are looking for experience with React, they may not realize those skills sets are easily transferable.

5. Have multiple versions of your resume

Have one which includes more of your past career for job postings where that experience is more relevant. For me, that was my resume that included more of my educator experience for EdTech positions. 

You'll also need to adjust your resume to highlight the skills that you have which match the job posting.

6. Include sample projects and links to your repo on your resume

If your app requires a log in, provide a demo username and password as the person reviewing your resume will be unlikely to have time to register and then view your app. Make sure your projects are easy to access or provide screenshots or a video walkthrough of your project.

7. Join support groups like CodeNewbie

Connect with other people who are going through what you are going through. Learn you aren't the only one suffering from importer syndrome. You aren't the only one questioning if you know enough to start applying.

8. And, of course, get a mentor!

Having someone who's been through all of this to guide you can make a huge difference and help you meet your goals sooner!


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