How To Get a Programming Job After a Bootcamp, Career Change, or Layoff
These are the things that no one will tell you — especially not hiring managers or tech recruiters who are “doing you a favor” — about landing a programming job after a bootcamp or layoff.
When you’re switching careers you have the same stigma as any unemployed person — “you must not have the right experience.” I was able to overcome it by freelancing, blogging (not a great use of time for job switching, but it was fun), and specializing (React / Next.js / web performance / Tailwind CSS). Since I was a specialist with 1+ years of recent full-time experience (working for myself), I was relatively competitive for jobs that specifically used exactly those tools.
Actually learning the skills was a non issue for me, because web development was my first career (and I have a BS and MS in Computer Science). Working in programming is much easier and pays better (2x is common after 2–5 years work experience) than working in physical therapy, so it can be rewarding to make the switch. I work from home 40 hours a week now for much more take-home pay than I did for 50+ hours a week in outpatient or home health as a PT.
