How I got my first job: Self taught. Started to go to dev meetups. One day spoke with a guy I met and his company sent him to find someone like me. Worked for 4 years with this guy as my lead dev. Then switched jobs with a big jump in income
Summary of this video: 1) Apply to less jobs. Research company and tech they use. Tailor your resume. Custom cover letter 2) Portfolio projects: unique projects that are interesting. Show that you enjoy learning 3) Be confident. You are not only good you are the best candidate 4) Put yourself out there. Write blog articles, etc. Go to meetups and conferences. Networking.
The last tip, "be confident', is the reason I think one should actually try as many interviews as they can. Doing interviews is a great way to become better at them.
i really admire your character Kyle. you're a great thinker, a great decision maker, a good speaker and teacher, a good mindset. i hope more people will admire and inspired by a someone like you.
This is well thought out and well researched. I feel like this guy really understands the industry and his audience. As a front-end engineer who has worked for big tech, and also self-taught, I feel like he hits every base when talking about these topics and how increase your skills in relevant topics. Keep doing these videos man, keeping helping people. Looking forward to what you come up with next!
My biggest issue with dev job interviews is the endless number of white boarding exercises. The HM was clueless to the fact that a great developer does NOT need to be great at whiteboarding exercises. We passed up on so many good devs and ironically settled on one who passed at LC, but couldn't lead a project end-to-end.
I think it's worth mentioning that these tips mainly apply in first world countries (especially for self taught devs ) because in most countries it's really hard for self taught devs they mainly look at CS degrees
True. Sometimes I wonder if I am wasting my time self learning. I'm pretty sure I won't find physical meetups where i am and they definitely will pick CS degrees (first) because they paid for education. But I'll just have to put in extra effort
Kyle, with all my respect for you and your channel, the tips you talked about won't work in today's job market (at least in Canada). I myself am a self-taught dev, and looked for my first full-time job for over 6 months before i figured out what exactly to do (not without help of some frank coffee meetings with recruiters), and in the end got 3 offers to choose from.. if you have a Comp Sci degree, the situation might be different, but here is the reality for self-taughts and bootcamp grads: 1. recruiters first look at years of experience. even for starting positions. no matter how long you coded and/or freelanced for, they'd only call people who have at least a year of experience in a COMPANY. so instead of saying "freelance" for 1.5 years, say you worked at a small agency and put it on your resume. no one will check if you're the only dev in that agency, and you can be honest about it on your interview if you get asked about it. also, if you have dev friends - great, you can put them as references if needed, and they'll confirm you worked with them on commercial projects in your "joint agency". some say it's lying and cheating, but no - you're just calling your experience differently 2. if you finished a bootcamp, TAKE IT OFF your linkedin and resume. i heard first-hand from recruiters that they filter out bootcamp grads on purpose 3. no one reads cover letters these days, no one cares about your level of enthusiasm. even on junior positions, companies want a performer, not someone who "is ready to learn". not a single company to which i sent a cover letter ever replied to me 4. the tip about a portfolio is good, making a pretty website to showcase non-typical projects is a plus. i got asked about my pet projects a lot on interviews 5. expand your linkedin DAILY. linkedin has a limit of 100 people you can add per day, so use it to your maximum. put a lot of relevant keywords on your profile and just start adding 100 recruiters per day. they will start messaging you themselves, without you even applying to any jobs 6. make your linkedin profile look like you're the real deal. don't put any "open to network" stickers on your avatar, don't advertise that you're looking for a job. this makes recruiters pay more attention to details of your profile, instead of just briefly looking at your skills and giving you a call/sending a message anyway, i hope this helps someone. definitely helped me 3 years ago :)
About point 1, do you mean to just straight up lie about past experiences and if they dig any deeper you just tell them you lied? Wouldn't be a great look unless I'm misunderstanding you here. (Also self-taught and have been learning for about 26~ months)
@@xRichhhx Not lie about experience, but the context of the experience. Not saying you know or did something that you don't or didn't, but saying a project that you actually did was for an agency, perhaps, when it really wasn't, and the agency is just a name you wrote down. That sort of thing. 🤷♂️
@@joeknowles6880 yup exactly. lots of people freelance before actually getting employed full-time, but "freelance" for recruiters pretty much means "unemployed", whereas really you've been working on real projects for real people. so why not list it as agency experience?
This is excellent advice, plus you are experienced speaking in front of a camera (which is a skill that not many possess), you are an excellent coder, and famous among the community... so i doubt there are many recruiters out there that wouldn't crap their pants when they see your application.
What are your thoughts on resume style? Should it be clean, or put as much info as I can? Should it be 2 pages max (1 page cover and 1 page resume)? Or is it okay to have multiple resume pages?
Hi, Kyle! Could you please expand more on how you researched the companies for whose job offers you were going to apply before sending your application? How did you get informed about the companies' cultures, what to pay the most attention to and how did you know they would be a good fit?
How would one quantify ability to learn? or how to showcase you can be taught and grow under their dev team. Especially if your from a non traditional background with no prior tech experience? Thank you for your channel! It is a go to reference for web dev topics!
3 weeks into learning JavaScript, really feel a lot of imposter syndrome, like I look at code, I don't understand ¾ of it and then I start doubting if I'll ever be good enough to write code. Hopefully in 3 to 6 months I'll be able to build enough skill and confidence to look for an internship or job.
3 weeks... is not enough... I learned JavaScript for over 3 years and I still don't have a job... Why do you think Tech Companies are willing to pay you 40,000 or even 60,000??? Spoiler Alert: BECAUSE IT IS VERY HARD!!
I'm resenlty mover to Germany from Russia, and just started to looking a job, so I will give a try theese tips, and maybe write here again about my results :)
Thank you brother.. This video is extremely helpful and rich in information..I had just started applying for jobs and saw this video.. So much thanks to you..😍
thats something I am currently building right now while teaching myself html, javascript, and css. Im in works on making the about me and contact page!
hey i have a question, how did you narrow it down to the best companies out of the ones you like? i look in my state and see 4k python jobs and 3k JS jobs but they all just seem like generic companies ive never heard of and i dont know what would make one stand out from another. What is a good way to find good companies to work for?
I love your videos and how you elaborate your tutorials, you've helped me out so much, can you please make javascript tutorials for beginners from the start covering every topic like you did with css. Thank you
5:35 you said that projects should be hosted but, how can one host a project for free if i have 10 project how can i buy 10 different domain names. Thats would probably cost a 100 bucks.
After more than 6 months of learning, next week I will start to search practice in some companies in my city... I think that I still dont know nothing xD
I’m in Denver I’m just now starting this journey ! I definitely want help with how to link up with other devs in my area . Are any sites apps or anything anyone can help me with 🤞🏾
Hi Kyle, thanks for all you do for us here. Please I have an unrelated question that I need your help with. Do you think it's worth it for a junior developer with about a year experience to take on 2 FT jobs. one with a large team and senior devs that pays very low, and another with a brand new startup, very small team (2 devs none is a senior) and no chance of mentorship, but pays 1.5 the first one. Please share your thought about this. Thanks again!
The hardest part when looking for work, as a self taught dev; is that they’ll ask for references. Specifically, coding work related references. Even after you nailed their test and interviews. Unfortunately, if you don’t have those specific coding references that are coding related; that’s when they give you boot, and pass on ya.
not even true. im self-taught from NYC and have never been asked for references 😂 i interviewed at JP morgan recently and even they didn't ask me for references
@@kevinc4736 No, as in they want references from those whom I have directly coded with at a company. So as a self-taught dev, I do not have those type of references. It is just something to note as you apply. I have many great references that vouch for me but unfortunately, they are nothing related to coding.
@@magic_fruit_bat5003 yeah its not true. dont know where you're applying but you're most likely applying for roles that you're not qualified for. truth hurts buddy.
Hi everybody, I'm mexican so idk where can I find a job in USA as web developer that allows me to work remotely. Can you recommend me some page or platform to find remote jobs? Instead of Linkdln haha.
Hello Every one who see this this comment, Hear my concern, I am Sreekanth completed B.E CSE in 2022 and got placed in MNC companies like INFOSYS & CAPGEMINI, due to recession still they didn't give me date of joining , I am still searching and applying for jobs. but in current situation no one hiring fresher. what do I do now, give me any tips that i hope i land in a IT Company as a fresher.
I came here to learn how to invest after listening to a guy on radio talk about the importance of investing and how he made $960,000 in 4 months from $160k, somehow this video has helped shed light on some things, but I'm still confused, I'm a newbie and I'm open to ideas.
Interesting. I have a lump sum doing absolutely nothing at all in my bank account, I wanna get something started with it. You seem to be doing excellent for yourself, how do you achieve this?
@Robin Vanessa That's impressive. Are you giving her your money or the money stays in your trading account? What's really the idea behind copying trades.
It depends honestly from where you are. But it’s really unlikely. Since most companies look for people who have 5-7 years+ experience. If we are talking about free lancing, you can easily get jobs in that part imo.
How I got my first job: Self taught. Started to go to dev meetups. One day spoke with a guy I met and his company sent him to find someone like me. Worked for 4 years with this guy as my lead dev. Then switched jobs with a big jump in income
Howd you find these dev meetups?
In my city there are no meetups last two years because of covid 19... Only on zoom and youtube... But very good advice :)
I'm also curious, where do you go to find these meetups?
Where are meetups?
Fourth person to ask, any help here?
Summary of this video: 1) Apply to less jobs. Research company and tech they use. Tailor your resume. Custom cover letter 2) Portfolio projects: unique projects that are interesting. Show that you enjoy learning 3) Be confident. You are not only good you are the best candidate 4) Put yourself out there. Write blog articles, etc. Go to meetups and conferences. Networking.
Thanks 🙏
Thanks!! Now I can hope to different vids
The last tip, "be confident', is the reason I think one should actually try as many interviews as they can. Doing interviews is a great way to become better at them.
Man you STAY reading my mind! I just started building a resume today! I'll watch this video before I turn it into a PDF..
i really admire your character Kyle. you're a great thinker, a great decision maker, a good speaker and teacher, a good mindset. i hope more people will admire and inspired by a someone like you.
This is well thought out and well researched. I feel like this guy really understands the industry and his audience. As a front-end engineer who has worked for big tech, and also self-taught, I feel like he hits every base when talking about these topics and how increase your skills in relevant topics. Keep doing these videos man, keeping helping people. Looking forward to what you come up with next!
My biggest issue with dev job interviews is the endless number of white boarding exercises. The HM was clueless to the fact that a great developer does NOT need to be great at whiteboarding exercises. We passed up on so many good devs and ironically settled on one who passed at LC, but couldn't lead a project end-to-end.
Love the content, Kyle. You are making a fundamental change in people's lives!
Pretty cool advice, though more specific examples would help, especially on the confidence part.
I think it's worth mentioning that these tips mainly apply in first world countries (especially for self taught devs ) because in most countries it's really hard for self taught devs they mainly look at CS degrees
True. Sometimes I wonder if I am wasting my time self learning. I'm pretty sure I won't find physical meetups where i am and they definitely will pick CS degrees (first) because they paid for education. But I'll just have to put in extra effort
Its why I got the degree
@@abenaagyeiwaa7220 How’s it going? Have you gotten a job?
I am also trying
@@abenaagyeiwaa7220update?
Kyle, with all my respect for you and your channel, the tips you talked about won't work in today's job market (at least in Canada). I myself am a self-taught dev, and looked for my first full-time job for over 6 months before i figured out what exactly to do (not without help of some frank coffee meetings with recruiters), and in the end got 3 offers to choose from..
if you have a Comp Sci degree, the situation might be different, but here is the reality for self-taughts and bootcamp grads:
1. recruiters first look at years of experience. even for starting positions. no matter how long you coded and/or freelanced for, they'd only call people who have at least a year of experience in a COMPANY. so instead of saying "freelance" for 1.5 years, say you worked at a small agency and put it on your resume. no one will check if you're the only dev in that agency, and you can be honest about it on your interview if you get asked about it. also, if you have dev friends - great, you can put them as references if needed, and they'll confirm you worked with them on commercial projects in your "joint agency". some say it's lying and cheating, but no - you're just calling your experience differently
2. if you finished a bootcamp, TAKE IT OFF your linkedin and resume. i heard first-hand from recruiters that they filter out bootcamp grads on purpose
3. no one reads cover letters these days, no one cares about your level of enthusiasm. even on junior positions, companies want a performer, not someone who "is ready to learn". not a single company to which i sent a cover letter ever replied to me
4. the tip about a portfolio is good, making a pretty website to showcase non-typical projects is a plus. i got asked about my pet projects a lot on interviews
5. expand your linkedin DAILY. linkedin has a limit of 100 people you can add per day, so use it to your maximum. put a lot of relevant keywords on your profile and just start adding 100 recruiters per day. they will start messaging you themselves, without you even applying to any jobs
6. make your linkedin profile look like you're the real deal. don't put any "open to network" stickers on your avatar, don't advertise that you're looking for a job. this makes recruiters pay more attention to details of your profile, instead of just briefly looking at your skills and giving you a call/sending a message
anyway, i hope this helps someone. definitely helped me 3 years ago :)
Appreciate it!
About point 1, do you mean to just straight up lie about past experiences and if they dig any deeper you just tell them you lied? Wouldn't be a great look unless I'm misunderstanding you here. (Also self-taught and have been learning for about 26~ months)
Please take these advice with a grain of salt. Companies want someone who can actively learn and improve their (teams) workflow.
@@xRichhhx Not lie about experience, but the context of the experience. Not saying you know or did something that you don't or didn't, but saying a project that you actually did was for an agency, perhaps, when it really wasn't, and the agency is just a name you wrote down. That sort of thing. 🤷♂️
@@joeknowles6880 yup exactly. lots of people freelance before actually getting employed full-time, but "freelance" for recruiters pretty much means "unemployed", whereas really you've been working on real projects for real people. so why not list it as agency experience?
"i for myself" that is the problem dude, you can't compare yourself with regular programmer, you are frickin famous
This is excellent advice, plus you are experienced speaking in front of a camera (which is a skill that not many possess), you are an excellent coder, and famous among the community... so i doubt there are many recruiters out there that wouldn't crap their pants when they see your application.
Thank-you so much Kyle I just needed this right now! And congratulations for engagement...
Very high quality tips and straight to the point. Thank you Kyle , you are amazing.
What are your thoughts on resume style? Should it be clean, or put as much info as I can? Should it be 2 pages max (1 page cover and 1 page resume)? Or is it okay to have multiple resume pages?
Make it clean and relevant to the skills required for the job to the best of your knowledge. Surprises me how many ugly resumes I see out there
check Brittany Chiang's resume
@@swattertroops-yaaa perfect! it's clean AND packed with info! greatly appreciated!
@@swattertroops-yaaa .
It’s not ok to add pages with little experience. But totally cool to add more pages if work history and experience is extensive.
This is the best advice I've heard so far on TH-cam 🤩🤩
Hi, Kyle! Could you please expand more on how you researched the companies for whose job offers you were going to apply before sending your application? How did you get informed about the companies' cultures, what to pay the most attention to and how did you know they would be a good fit?
Thank you so much! This is truly invaluable advice, you really are a blessing.
Wise words that we needed to hear. Thanks dude
How would one quantify ability to learn? or how to showcase you can be taught and grow under their dev team. Especially if your from a non traditional background with no prior tech experience? Thank you for your channel! It is a go to reference for web dev topics!
This video is perfect for person that want to be junior or to grow up
Thanks as always buddy!
3 weeks into learning JavaScript, really feel a lot of imposter syndrome, like I look at code, I don't understand ¾ of it and then I start doubting if I'll ever be good enough to write code. Hopefully in 3 to 6 months I'll be able to build enough skill and confidence to look for an internship or job.
How are you feeling now regards JS?
3 weeks... is not enough...
I learned JavaScript for over 3 years and I still don't have a job...
Why do you think Tech Companies are willing to pay you 40,000 or even 60,000???
Spoiler Alert: BECAUSE IT IS VERY HARD!!
JavaScript didn’t really start making sense for me until about 5-6 months in. Just keep learning and practicing.
@@limitless1692 how is your github account
You didn't even read the entirety of his comment, did you?@@limitless1692
I'm resenlty mover to Germany from Russia, and just started to looking a job, so I will give a try theese tips, and maybe write here again about my results :)
Couldn't agree more with these really good tips
The Best ADVICE 👌
I'm finding one of the things holding me back is I'm older and the majority of my work experience is manufacturing/warehousing.
portfolio
Thank you brother.. This video is extremely helpful and rich in information..I had just started applying for jobs and saw this video.. So much thanks to you..😍
The portfolio is the most important...and to be confident on the interview
Thank you. I will build my portfolio website this week. That’s the mistake I’ve made - not having one.
thats something I am currently building right now while teaching myself html, javascript, and css. Im in works on making the about me and contact page!
what about that?
Thank you for the insight. Ver;y useful information. I took notes!
Great tips.
Thank You
Linkedin recruiters keep sending me offers for senior position, but my React.js qualification is nothing big, profile is also simple. I am confused.
9:28 "... if I would have done ..." is ungrammatical and one of my pet hates.
Where do these (10:15) meetups get advertised? So I can check if there are any around.
Value as always 🔥
hey i have a question, how did you narrow it down to the best companies out of the ones you like? i look in my state and see 4k python jobs and 3k JS jobs but they all just seem like generic companies ive never heard of and i dont know what would make one stand out from another. What is a good way to find good companies to work for?
Please make a video on building cover letter.
Thank you Kyle for this tutorial, please can you make a video on how to build a text resize input
I love your videos and how you elaborate your tutorials, you've helped me out so much, can you please make javascript tutorials for beginners from the start covering every topic like you did with css.
Thank you
You’re master level infinity of course you get job offers
Thank you for the effort .
Been applying for 4 years and not a single interview
5:35 you said that projects should be hosted but, how can one host a project for free if i have 10 project how can i buy 10 different domain names. Thats would probably cost a 100 bucks.
Many ways to host your projects for free. Use Firebase, Github Pages, Heroku ….
@@vladimir-tv vercel, too, for nextJS
After more than 6 months of learning, next week I will start to search practice in some companies in my city... I think that I still dont know nothing xD
Amazing tips!
thank you brother kyle
where would you have your working project so that employers can see it?
I’m in Denver I’m just now starting this journey ! I definitely want help with how to link up with other devs in my area . Are any sites apps or anything anyone can help me with 🤞🏾
Hi Kayle, please can you make some videos regarding webcam video recorder stuffs in React with different controls. Thanks for this wonderful video.
good video, thx sharing
Please share the resume of someone looking to break into tech but have no experience and only have projects.
Hi Kyle, thanks for all you do for us here. Please I have an unrelated question that I need your help with. Do you think it's worth it for a junior developer with about a year experience to take on 2 FT jobs. one with a large team and senior devs that pays very low, and another with a brand new startup, very small team (2 devs none is a senior) and no chance of mentorship, but pays 1.5 the first one. Please share your thought about this. Thanks again!
Thank you a lot for what you do
Thank you 💗
The hardest part when looking for work, as a self taught dev; is that they’ll ask for references. Specifically, coding work related references. Even after you nailed their test and interviews. Unfortunately, if you don’t have those specific coding references that are coding related; that’s when they give you boot, and pass on ya.
@@nitishgautam coworkers/bosses from another company
not even true. im self-taught from NYC and have never been asked for references 😂 i interviewed at JP morgan recently and even they didn't ask me for references
@@westernpigeon Good for you, but I was asked. So I wouldn't blanket comment saying it is not true because it is. I am currently in the process now.
@@kevinc4736 No, as in they want references from those whom I have directly coded with at a company. So as a self-taught dev, I do not have those type of references. It is just something to note as you apply. I have many great references that vouch for me but unfortunately, they are nothing related to coding.
@@magic_fruit_bat5003 yeah its not true. dont know where you're applying but you're most likely applying for roles that you're not qualified for. truth hurts buddy.
What are good websites to find good front end dev jobs? also remote jobs as well?
Thanka Kyle for this video :)
Bro , what if we follow tutorials for creating projects but modify things like adding any other features , or changing the styling etc.
Will it work?
Thanks for the advice. Did you put much focus on algorithms and data structures or just mainly core basics?
Does it get pricey hosting a working version of every project you have in your portfolio?
Not if you use something like a reverse proxy to host multiple websites on one server and subdomains to have multiple projects off one domain.
so do you have any links to companies that i can apply for junior frontend developer
Certainly when an employer sees that a resume specifically tuned for the company, then such resume becomes biased.
just be confident brah
What languages did you know when you applied for your first job 😅
I see that Jackson in the background. When we gonna get to here you shred bruh.
Thank you sir
How much are the pay rates for a beginner
Hi everybody, I'm mexican so idk where can I find a job in USA as web developer that allows me to work remotely. Can you recommend me some page or platform to find remote jobs? Instead of Linkdln haha.
Hello Every one who see this this comment, Hear my concern, I am Sreekanth completed B.E CSE in 2022 and got placed in MNC companies like INFOSYS & CAPGEMINI, due to recession still they didn't give me date of joining , I am still searching and applying for jobs. but in current situation no one hiring fresher.
what do I do now, give me any tips that i hope i land in a IT Company as a fresher.
I came here to learn how to invest after listening to a guy on radio talk about the importance of investing and how he made $960,000 in 4 months from $160k, somehow this video has helped shed light on some things, but I'm still confused, I'm a newbie and I'm open to ideas.
Investing in stocks is a good idea, a good trading system would put you through many days of success.
It is possible to produce superior performance provided you do something different from the majority. However most of us tend to pay more
Interesting. I have a lump sum doing absolutely nothing at all in my bank account, I wanna get something started with it. You seem to be doing excellent for yourself, how do you achieve this?
@Robin Vanessa Hello Do you trade on your own?
@Robin Vanessa That's impressive. Are you giving her your money or the money stays in your trading account? What's really the idea behind copying trades.
There is no job for fresher in India. All required atleast 2 years of experience .
Then go for remote jobs at overseas companies
Same in Belgium
@@manish-mk Ok Any best source to apply
@@AjayKumar-id7mb AngelList
Can i get a job with just html and css
i like to code, but i struggle to learn..
Can you make a resume video?
They really don't care how much project have you done
They ask you only DSA and theoretical questions .
Then go for remote Job at overseas companies
@@manish-mk Thanks Manish, Any best site to apply
Is junior level in web development means 0 experience??
Does it djent? :)
How many projects would you say you need.
3-5.
Can a junior dev get a backend job?
If there were a "5" I'd say, ask for the job when the interview is over. You'd be shocked. Good luck, all.
The reason you got the job offers is because you applied for those jobs before the 2022 tech recession
0:08 4 for 4? what the hell are you?
how do you exude confidence when they always ask sht you have no idea about
Not getting Interview?
"my fiancé" dude honestly thought you were like 17 lol
Your about 10 years off. I turn 27 in a couple weeks.
@@WebDevSimplified 🤣🤣🤣
@@WebDevSimplified you actually do look 17. Massive compliment, I believe.
@@WebDevSimplified Also, happy birthday (in arrears, I reckon?)
Man you're smart
God bless you
ok i need to ask simple question: Will somebody hire some 16yo who has not worked before?
It depends honestly from where you are. But it’s really unlikely. Since most companies look for people who have 5-7 years+ experience. If we are talking about free lancing, you can easily get jobs in that part imo.
How to be confident, if you struggle with the impostor syndrome? And it is not only about juniors :D
Could you text the names of the companies Mr. Kale
People pretending like this isn’t El Niño smh
I wish this lecture was on udemy
Idk man, sending out a thousand generic resumes seems a lot less work than researching and preparing a good resume for a single company.
You had a CS degree
this is next to impossible to much saturation
One of the first
Edit: I actually got first lmao
Congrates
here’s a 🍪
We're proud of you.
@@harrysvensson2610 Thanks
@@scuevas1 omg thanks
Need tutorial on how to get girlfriend.
*fewer