How to Write a Coding Bootcamp Resume That Will Get You Hired
Hiring decisions are made by people just like you, so you should understand what makes them tick. Here’s an inside look at what a hiring manager thinks before, during, and after their interview with you.
By: Ashley Dolar | Contributor for Let’s Eat, Grandma
Are you a recent coding bootcamp grad? You are not alone! There are approximately 100 different Coding Bootcamp programs available in the U.S. and more than 20,000 graduates every year. (Like our partners General Assembly and Covalence.) So, how can you write a coding bootcamp resume that stands out from the crowd?
By: Ashley Dolar | Contributor for Let’s Eat, Grandma
Coding bootcamp can be intense. And by intense, I mean that you probably spent three solid months buried in code for twelve hours a day with little access to sunlight.
That’s fine, though, because you are totally prepared to develop programs and mobile apps and share your passion for computer science with the world! But there’s a catch.
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4 Elements of a Great Coding Bootcamp Resume
#1) Nail the Professional Summary Section
This is the first major section of your coding bootcamp resume—it’s vitally important since you’re new to your field. It needs to hook your reader and summarize your tech qualifications in an easy-to-understand way.
That sounds difficult, but don’t despair! We have a first-sentence formula that can help you capture a recruiter’s attention and communicate the skills you mastered at camp.
“Descriptive Word + Job Title + Level of Experience + Key Feature in Career”
Here are a couple of examples using this format:
- Project-focused UX designer with significant experience conducting user research and collaborating with developers to create intuitive web applications.
- Award-winning software engineer with expertise in full-stack Javascript and Python.
Then, you should explain your transferable soft skills and previous work experience. Be as concise as possible. You may be tempted to write your life story here, but you have a cover letter (and hopefully, an interview) to convey more relevant details.
Your entire summary section might be four-five sentences and look something like this:
Experienced coding bootcamp graduate with extensive background in various coding languages, developing mobile applications, and building websites from the ground up. Specializes in JavaScript and Python. Professional strengths include creative problem-solving, written and verbal communication, and time management. Detail-oriented mindset from 5+ years of experience in the finance industry.
#2) Highlight your Most Impressive Coding Projects
What are your top three coding projects from bootcamp? Think about the cleanest code, the greatest user-appeal, and the most personal gratification. These projects need to go on your resume as proof of your skills. But how?
You have a few choices. Coding bootcamp can be listed under a separate “Projects” heading or included as part of your “Professional Experience” section (if you haven’t had much other professional experience recently). Either way, the point is to show that you have the coding chops, even if your work history isn’t tech-specific.
You don’t need to explain the entire project—just the highlights of what you did (vs. what the program you created does).
Remember, resumes need to be focused on your specific accomplishments with metrics, instead of general skills and responsibilities. That might look like this:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Software Engineering Immersive (Student), 2020
- Developed three mobile applications and built two user-friendly websites using full-stack Javascript and several other programming languages, libraries, and frameworks
Noted Projects:
- Created an interactive To-Do List app that helps users sort tasks into categories and then prioritize them into day, week, month schedules; used HTML, CSS, and JS React
- Second amazing project
- Third amazing project
(Remember to also list the names of languages, libraries, methodologies, and frameworks you used in each bullet. These are likely important keywords to beat ATS software!)
From there, you can continue listing your work history in chronological order. (Or you might want to take a look at our non-chronological functional resume examples.) Make sure you use bullet points in either format; they help a recruiter or hiring manager easily scan your resume.
#3) Link to your Online Portfolio
An online portfolio (or a GitHub profile) is essential in the computer programming industry, especially if you have limited experience and professional contacts. It lets hiring managers see your work and take it for a test-drive.
Include a hyperlink to your portfolio in your header. Yes, that’s okay! It shows the recruiter that you want them to check it out. You can link to individual projects on your resume as well.
What if you still need to build a portfolio? Start with your coding bootcamp projects. Then, if you want to add a few extra examples of your work, try volunteering your coding services to a small business owner or nonprofit. Check with your LinkedIn network to see if there are internship opportunities you should be aware of. All of these projects can be added to your portfolio.
By developing code that benefits an organization, you dramatically increase your chances of landing a job.
#4) List your Higher Education Accomplishments
Your college degree should still be included under Education on your resume, even if it isn’t related to computer science or programming. You can also list additional certifications, trainings, or online coding courses in this section.
There is a lot to squeeze into your coding bootcamp resume, but remember, it should be only one page, especially if you are new to tech.
Wondering how your coding bootcamp resume stacks up? Schedule a free call with us to find out how our professional writers can rework your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to land you that dream job.
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