Tips From a Top Tech Recruiter | How To Land a Tech Job With No Experience? Bootcamps vs. Degrees?

Hi friends! Welcome to my new series: TALK TECH WITH TIFF! Where I am sitting down with industry professionals to hear about their career journeys and current roles.
I created this series to hear from people who are established in the tech industry, so that we can all learn what these individuals do in their day to day job and the types of opportunities that are out there. This is a bi-weekly series that will air on Thursdays.
0:00 Intro
0:50 What does a tech recruiter do?
0:58 What should you include when reaching out to recruiters?
2:49 What makes a good candidate stand out?
4:12 What makes a candid stand out in a bad way?
5:20 Advice for people getting into tech with no experience?
6:05 How many projects should you have in your portfolio?
6:50 What is a typical recruitment process like?
8:45 Having a gap in your resume
9:48 Coding Bootcamps vs Degrees?
13:37 What has changed in the recruitment process?
15:00 How to get into Technical Recruitment?
16:13 What advice would you give your younger-self?
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// My Story
I am currently a software developer who once modeled and thought I wanted to pursue a career in the fashion industry. While I was modeling in Hong Kong, I eventually felt the desire to further my education. I decided to depart the modeling world and move back to Canada, knowing that could be the end of my modeling opportunities. I attended Ryerson University for GCM (Graphic Communications Management), as I thought I might still work in the fashion industry in another capacity. It was in my last year of university, I was introduced to a very basic coding course. I instantly fell in love. From there I knew I wanted to pursue software development but didn't have a clue where to start. I didn't want to go back to university as I just completed a four-year degree. I decided to enroll in a 10-week intensive coding Bootcamp. From there I started working at a small startup learning and growing my technical and soft skills. I then transitioned to a larger company where I am a software developer and technical consultant today.
Tips From a Top Tech Recruiter | How To Land a Tech Job With No Experience
#TopTechRecruiter #HowToLandaTechJob #TiffInTech

[@dianathomas2674]

Employers are missing out on many great minds in tech by emphasising networking and soft skills in the recruitment process. Many people in this field are introverts, tending towards solitary work, shying away from group activities and social chit chat.

[@kate-ec4pj]

completely agree

[@nyeneokponekanem8906]

This is very true. Some of the smartest developers I've worked with in my career as a cyber security professional are absolute introverts. They're such a nerd. You just need to get into their space and you'll be blown away with how much they know.

[@eddarby469]

They also did all the "work" on their group projects in school.

[@godwinmensah1230]

@@eddarby469100% agreed

[@danilofilipe8894]

Definitely

[@Lemurai]

The interview process makes me grateful that I’m self employed. It’s just the thought that I went through all that in uni just so I can go beg someone for a job, it’s crazy. Any volunteer work, internships I did & clubs I participated in were purely for my own skills development, so I didn’t have to ask for a job after graduation. I wish more would do the same, industry wants drones & wage slaves, not thinkers & innovators.

[@prico3358]

Hi. I got a question. Would You Say that another reason is that You have social anxiety or phobia? ... Because thats My case. It has ruined My life a Lot. But tech/remote career gave me hopes. I'm 32. 4 kids. Broke.

[@hectorg.7282]

I feel the same as you, we put all that work to then be ignored by a very discriminating AI. If you not mind answering, what business did you start? Thank you in advance.

[@Dom-zy1qy]

@@prico3358 That's where im at, anxiety really derails your life pretty fast. Im 20 now and really trying my best with improving my skills as a software developer, but skills genuinely seem to be the least important factor in securing a successful career in this industry. (not speaking from experience or anything, i havent ever had a job in tech). When i was younger I enjoyed programming and knew I would be able to teach it to myself. I mistakenly associated me becoming a good programmer/engineer with being able to acquire a job as a programmer. I just assumed that was the natural outcome, but now that I'm a bit more mature I realize sociability is the most important factor by far. The second most important factor is credibility. I assumed I could circumvent the need for a traditional degree (which provides credibility) if I simply built my own applications / services then included details about them in cover letters/resume. Turns out people who read those are often not developers or technically inclined so its just a bunch of jargan to them, or they stop reading your resume after they fail to identify X keywords from it. I tried to engineer situations in which I could get a developer job without needing to confront my social anxiety, but my plan currently has not worked. Thinking about going all-in on a startup but one of my startups just got essentially "shut down" after about 800~ hours of work on it. Been a bit down ever since.

[@Ohotnikova_]

You’re smart 👏👏

[@gregunn]

Keep up the great work, stoked to see a 🇨🇦 developer like you work out loud and help others learn!

[@steelangelariana]

This new serie is amazing, so many tips, thank you so much Tiff! Love it!

[@PoojaDutt]

This information is so vital! Especially as more people are opting for a “non traditional” approach to learning computer science! Excited to watch!

[@TiffInTech]

Totally agree! And thank you!!

[@maxx.mazzeo]

I'm on that right now, has been interesting so far

[@Nedwin]

The intro, the opening statement, the video quality, the talk, it's all awesome Tiff!! Really worth waiting. You are definitely the next KZbin tech rock star!!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you so much!!

[@lilquartz]

This is so helpful and so insightful! Such a great start to a new series. Love this! You're so amazing Tiff!

[@anna-ie6cf]

Thank you so much for this video. It resonated so much with me. I had some serious doubts about having a career change (from healthcare to tech) but this interview was so enlightening. It has reminded me that the path will be long and hard, for sure. But the tougher the journey, the better the “storyline “ as she puts it.. After all, there is no sweeter victory than overcoming what is seemingly impossible at first. I like your content and the structure of your videos. Concise without being dry. Interesting and genuine at the same time, not clickbaity at all. I’m truly impressed!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!!I really appreciate it 💓

[@lidstech54]

Thank you so much for this one!💚 I just started the job 'hunting' process after bootcamp, and everything here is so helpful to me.

[@Tylee29]

Am overjoyed that I stumbled by this particular interview/ conversation. I’ve learned a lot in just 16mins. Thank you both very much.

[@hamzashabbir3589]

Can't say how much we as upcoming graduates need to hear these conversations ❤ Thank you so much tiff for this 🧡

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you Hamza! So happy to hear!

[@jayvet8402]

​@@TiffInTech how do I find recruiters filling tech roles?

[@TheSoulCrisis]

@@jayvet8402 LinkedIn definitely!

[@strategygalactic]

​@@jayvet8402 Learn all that you can. SPECIALIZE your learning. KNOW your stuff. You had better be able to prove your knowledge.

[@eurekam6117]

Thanks Lisa and Tiff for these really really helpful tips!! And I feel more confident and motivated now. Again, thank you so much!

[@TiffInTech]

You are so welcome!

[@janetpaulo251]

Really insightful! I've been looking into transitioning into tech and as someone who has no background apart from a few course subjects that I did that could be related to tech as part of my business degree, I was really interested in how I can land a job in this field. I also felt as the information and advice given was very "outside of the box" in terms of the thoughts a person like me with no idea would have when trying to get into tech so thank you very much for this, will definitely be revisiting this video

[@jermainemyrn19]

Isn't being self taught considered "sticking with something" in the highest form of example? I would hire self taught over degree because self taught probably has actual experience.

[@kevinknights29]

So true, but what those who have a degree in a field that is either saturated or with low compensation, and have learn about tech on their own. That I consider to be the highest level and it really shows that they are committed to doing what’s necessary to be in a better position.

[@mario_luis_dev]

err no… a *proper* education goes a long way. There’s so many things you barely gloss over and/or sweep under the rug when you don’t have a proper background

[@djoan0872]

@@mario_luis_dev this is true. I admire people who are self taught however, there are basic concepts, theories, etc. that are formally being discussed in college.

[@mario_luis_dev]

@nathans a loser you don't get it. Of course someone self taught can go as far (or even farther) than someone with a degree; I'm not debating that. However, unless you have all the time in world (i.e., don't have a life) your set-taught training will be about just learning the *tools* to achieve some specific goal. *How those tools work under the hood*, etc is a gap that will take you a life time to master, and that's where the value of proper education comes in. Someone with proper, structured training would be able to pick up new skills more efficiently than someone who's missing a lot of the fundamentals.

[@Catmemegod]

I’d say it is more qualified as sticking with something than college because when you spend money on something you feel obligated to finish it, even if you hate it.

[@esthergiles2896]

Such great advice! Thank you 👍🏻

[@vincetaliaferro2777]

This is great Tiff! so genuine and informative.

[@chrisbiggers4017]

Great content! Thanks for putting it out there. Subscribed.

[@johnlocke7080]

thank you for your work Tiff.

[@manoelvitor1910]

the evolution of your channel is incredible. congratulations

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you so much 😀

[@byeteaching]

Great video! As a former teacher myself, I can totally relate to these mistakes.

[@warbaecod5361]

Awesome, thank you Tiff 🙂

[@sportingarenatv7495]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR CONTENT.

[@jeffalves3566]

Wow! That was very interesting and I haven't seen this format on youtube! Loved it! Looking forward for more

[@TiffInTech]

More to come!Thank you!

[@claraharmonson2181]

This video is gold. Recently flopped a virtual panel interview and a recorded interview 🙃 but this makes me feel so much better! Thank you for this!

[@TiffInTech]

Glad it was helpful! And you got this! I just remind myself, even in the interviews that dont go the way I had hoped, through those experiences I am one step closer to the one that goes great!

[@claraharmonson2181]

@@TiffInTech thank you so much! started to follow this channel in 2020, decided to join a coding bootcamp and how i'm in the job hunt phase...

[@Virg034]

This was a great interview! Very informative as I start my Cybersecurity Journey, Thanks!

[@brunaabreu514]

Loved this! Looking forward to the next ones!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you! Just published the second one!

[@emypremlin8671]

All the best to your new initiative ❤️ great series !

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@titokris5162]

Thank you Tiff, this is so so helpful and empowering !!!!

[@TiffInTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alexandranobre275]

Thank you so much, Tiff!! Perfect interview!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@TiffInTech]

So happy to hear!!

[@souhaileladdaoui3865]

Amazing video, thanks Tiffany!

[@TiffInTech]

Glad you liked it!❤️

[@osirisestela3414]

thanks for this interview! 👍

[@bzztbzzt9961]

Love the content idea, thanks for this!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!!

[@oeaoo]

Great work and interesting things brought up! Keep it going and good luck!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!

[@genaystevens5842]

Excellent advice. I'm going to reach out for networking purposes. I am currently just taking free coding classes since I am brand spanking new with no idea about programming. Thank you for the info.

[@trtlphnx]

Thanks So Much For The Information and Heads Up: Love You ~

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!!

[@antonellamar]

What an insightful conversation. As someone who is only a couple of semesters away from graduating I can say this conversation is invaluable!

[@TiffInTech]

So happy to hear!!💕

[@danielcontreras9343]

Holy production quality Batman! Looks good!

[@TiffInTech]

thank you!!

[@propertyrealestate9843]

Very informative, thanx!

[@sithsithari]

Love it. Keep on inviting more people from tech

[@TiffInTech]

Thanks! Will do!

[@brian419]

Great video Tiff. The audio quality is great.

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!😄

[@efjim8632]

That's great info. this is worth gold, i love u. 👏🏻✨

[@TiffInTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@algeriennesaffaires7017]

A tech recruiter without programming experience interviewed me but she has no experience about programming, and me being honest not lying and saying i know all technologies, even im full stack and mobile developer with 8 years of experience she decided to not go withe me, and choose the others who lies about technologies but she wasn't able to know they're lying, this is sad

[@janabanana2415]

She would absolutely not! There were people equally as good as you, but perhaps with better soft skills, many times they already have inside candidate but have to legally have recruiting process.

[@humanscaffold3402]

Fantastic! So much valuable information about working with recruiters and just general info on job searching, interviewing for anyone at any level. Looking forward to other episodes in this series - well done.

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you so much! That means a lot!

[@Haylem]

Hey Tiff! I watched your videos before you blew up and commented so many times before , just want to say im proud but also I KNEW you'd be a big KZbinr. People who make 🔥 content have always succeeded and you did that from the start. Thanks for doing you ;) Also! You did help motivate me back then, I'm gonna graduate my bootcamp really soon! I learned so much and feel super happy and confident in life. Stay positive ✨️ and awesome.

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you so much Vince! This comment made my day :)

[@n3nikita]

Thanks for this interview!

[@TiffInTech]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kevinchinchilla6146]

This is exactly that I ve been looking for... Thanks

[@TiffInTech]

Glad I could help!

[@ercntreras]

I like this new format

[@SoulOctavius]

Very cool. So glad I already have an interesting story. I just have to develope some tech skills.

[@josephlee4001]

I am 45 years old with very little set aside for retirement at this point. I have always been curious about the stock market and have witnessed some people who played the game right and retired early because they used the stock market. When I ask them, most said that they invested very little to start with, but their portfolio grew. I do have a significant amount of capital that is required to start up but I have no idea what strategies and direction I need to approach to help me make decent returns

[@bendickson9414]

I recommend to pick up and read a few books. "Jackson Sten Marsh." is where I was recommended to start. Learn different strategies so that you might develop your own

[@nathanjane7729]

Buy index funds if you wanna be safe, though you are probably be better off just going to Vanguard or something for that

[@donwhizz7880]

please I'm fascinated to ken who your broker is and how he can be reached?

[@nathanjane7729]

financial advisor is 'Jackson Sten Marsh'. I found him on a CNBC interview where he was featured Afterwards I reached out to him. he has since then provided me with entry and exit points in securities I focus on.

[@MeezanTheFairBloke]

Great video, thanks!

[@TiffInTech]

💓💓

[@iamkedia]

Thanks I'm just starting out and this is so helpful 💜

[@TiffInTech]

So happy to hear!!

[@nicoleperalta3094]

You are amazing!! yo do good everything!! Good luck!!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that!

[@leonardtangty]

Very Good.Very informative.Thank you

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!! :)

[@davidx5828]

I like the interview format. I would recommend doing a live so you could field questions from the audience.

[@TiffInTech]

Great suggestion thank you!

[@ashleymudell]

This is so helpful thank you! As someone who chose a "non-traditional" route to tech, I feel like we sacrifice the job placement that college offers.

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!!

[@oneakky6479]

Great video as always

[@TiffInTech]

Appreciate that!!

[@freaklore]

You were born to do this, keep at it Miss Tiff.

[@TiffInTech]

❤️Thank you!!

[@TheMISBlog]

Very Informative Video,Thanks Tiff

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!!

[@artechgiants]

Awesome video 😎 👍

[@Enrique-sx7dt]

Thank you for this Tiff! I remember 3 months ago when I started my bootcamp you gave me words of encouragement to keep going. Fast forward to today am 2 weeks from graduating and currently in the struggle of job hunting!

[@TonyDaDons]

hey, hows the job hunt going? i just graduated one and looking for one too

[@Enrique-sx7dt]

@@TonyDaDons hey man sorry but I didn’t have much luck lots of good leads. But it falls into my part I should have been more prepared and I would have landed a job. But all in all my head wasn’t into it I am more of a hands on type of guy turning wrenches. Tech is a great career no doubt just not more me took me awhile to realize it.

[@jww0007]

@@Enrique-sx7dt so you gave up?

[@jww0007]

@@Enrique-sx7dt so you gave up?

[@Sabeer147]

​@@Enrique-sx7dt did you get?

[@iwantcheesypuffs]

I took a 14 year sabbatical to tour the world then came back to the job market (part-time) and it was much easier than I thought about three years ago. I was very open with interviewing that I was really looking for something that could be as exciting as touring the world full time. That if it wasn't as compelling, I didn't want to be a part of it. Good talk Tiff! Best of luck to you on this channel and in your life.

[@fernando-loula]

As far as I'm aware, for anyone that can take a 14years sabbatical, with or without tour, anything is going to be much easier. No judgement, more power for you.

[@loispua4129]

Great Video Tiff!

[@TiffInTech]

Glad you liked it!!❤️

[@jaselmorera8542]

Thanks so much for this type of content. It's awesome 🤩🤩

[@TiffInTech]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@junaidzaynickcoalexander9400]

Loved ur smile during the talk show Get to see one of crew members behind sence. Only got love from me all the way from south Africa currently studying software development

[@TiffInTech]

thank you so much!

[@rodionsabbath9722]

that was helpful, thank you.

[@TiffInTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jessiewarain2796]

great content Tiff!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!!

[@oscarhurtado7675]

You are the best🔥 thank you so much for the information

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!💕

[@TiffInTech]

So happy to hear! Thank you!!

[@Topgunchannel]

Thank you for good interview

[@jojox6145]

I enjoyed her insights. I wish I could have heard more from her.

[@timurboltaev8688]

Thank you, great interview. I'm transitioning from law into coding. Now I know that even though I'm "self-taught" I can show my dedication by framing my previous experience in the right way (e.g. a diploma in law, 2 four year gigs as corporate counsel in large corporations).

[@Ryan-wx1bi]

Even just completing a coding boot camp puts you above those with a CS degree. I know from experience interviewing people straight out of college and they know and understand very little.

[@timurboltaev8688]

@@Ryan-wx1bi thanks, Ryan!

[@itsbeyondme5560]

​@@Ryan-wx1biThank you

[@rgseven6557]

@@Ryan-wx1biI think this is mainly due to the fact that colleges focus too much on academics instead of real world applications.

[@ArmandoPineda4]

Muy interesantes preguntas. Gracias.

[@mujimax007]

Fruitful interview process. Zoom Video Meetings and Conferences Software Tools must be having good time as their need or demand has increased exponentially.

[@nemanjapejovic9292]

Lisa, half a recruiter, half an absolutely. Great video, thanks!

[@satyavivekanandbattula1091]

Thank you very much tiffany useful video☺. Do this type of videos for more 😊👍.

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you! Will do!

[@theeaviatordreamer]

Thank you for this too, I am thinking about joining a boot camp but I am a bit worried companies don’t hire people from boot camps for entry level coding jobs

[@bechirdridi3428]

I like the concept

[@my_graphics]

Thank you so much .. This helps alot .. 🤗😊

[@TiffInTech]

You're welcome 😊

[@jaimev6062]

Being a really good looking woman definitely augments your public speaking skills. Really enjoyable video!

[@Dina-bn2zc]

this is great!

[@TiffInTech]

thank you so much!

[@subliminakeys1674]

I feel more business need to understand what a college degree is for most young people. They chose something because they needed to, not necessarily because they love it. They often party and skate through with bare minimum effort and only finish because it costs so much money. It often has nothing to do with dedication. a self taught programmer, if they are actually strict about their learning and know how to teach themselves properly, they are way more dedicated, resilient and will be a more profitable hire for most employees . With that said, there is the opposite scenario for both sides. Some self taught people just aren't good at it, or they skip a ton of information cause they don't want to learn it. There's also college students that take it very serious and do side projects at home to actually build skills. If you only rely on what college teaches you, you are essentially useless to any employer on day 1. Where as if a self taught person was focused and built projects they entire time... They know how to effectively use the languages they pursued and also have skills in modern things that schools don't teach you like react etc...

[@batuhanozkanli]

Your videos are just so helpful! What you think about sdet (QA engineering)? Is it a good path or fs web development is better? or Maybe you can make video about testing. Thank you!

[@JuanGonzalez-oz3wz]

It's really interesting to know what Recruiters evaluate about our Resume and Portfolio :), thank you for this Material Tiff!!! 💓

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you! Yes forsure!

[@johnadair4979]

A Group interview reminds me the gameshow, ''The Dating Game."

[@kopalsaxena4917]

Im almost graduating and this was so help . Always saw tiff as my role model. Hopefully i get to be like her

[@TiffInTech]

❤️Thank you so much!

[@Trinita1970]

Wonderful!

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nature_nd]

Great video! That was a fun watch! If you have any questions about hiring, I've been hiring software developers for well over a decade.

[@TiffInTech]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@viktoriyamoreva7043]

Great interview! It will be very helpful to mention full name/more information about your guests. How can i learn more information about Lisa? Sorry if I missed it

[@thedapperfoxtrot]

This is really valuable information. It sounds like even though I have a degree that isn't industry related, the bootcamp I'm participating in will close the gap and make me equally palatable to prospective employers. Great interview! Thank you!

[@TiffInTech]

Glad it was helpful! You got this!

[@chris8sirhc]

What boot camp were you enrolled in? Was it online?

[@jyotsna_tiwari]

Loved it!!!! Please keep it coming. Can we make video requests?

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you! And yes of course!! I would appreciate it if you would!

[@erikajadecoaching]

LEARNING TO CODE IS NOT ENOUGH. I’m just seeing this and just about jumped out of my chair! I have recently looked through hundreds of LinkedIn profiles and coding bootcamp grad portfolios. I’m saddened to see that most don’t understand what this recruiter is talking about. I had to learn these things and so much more that this recruiter didn’t even get to discuss that allied me to finally get interviews and then land a job as a Software Engineer 👩🏾‍💻 at a company I LOVED. Thanks so much for sharing this. I feel my purpose is to help people wake up so they can actually succeed!

[@kate-ec4pj]

what is enough?

[@TheBetterlife101]

You comment... but share nothing helpful.

[@viktoriyamoreva7043]

So interesting to see different generations trying to cope and deliver together. Not easy for sure. I’m definitely more Lisa’s generation and I can tell it’s not easy just mentally since younger generations are very different and hiring approach is also very different. I personally see younger generations being more sensitive and vulnerable. Makes “old school” recruiters develop “moms syndrome” haha 🙃

[@gilsonjuniorpro]

I had the opportunity to have Lisa as my recruiter, which was a charming experience. She helped me during my interviews and made me feel comfortable talking with the interviewers.

[@neilkevincarinan9452]

wow these is a good reference for me as i starting my journey as a web developer.. im always overthinking that should i or shouldnt give it a shot cause i dont have any experience yet..

[@TiffInTech]

You got this!

[@vectoralphaAI]

The covid19 pandemic really threw a wrench in the gaps of work for people. Everything closed and no work available really changed things.

[@maxx.mazzeo]

Nice tips

[@TiffInTech]

Thank you!!

[@review4u70]

Every time I said I don't know they would say well that's what our company does most

[@zxenon_]

Absolutely. 100%.

[@parvezmusharafswe]

Thank you

[@MultiCooldude777]

I think a good question to ask Lisa would be how to start a recruiting company in Canada?

[@tylr869]

I would argue that people with degree more dedicated. I’m learning software development for a year and a half now, waking up 4am in the morning before work to study and learning after work. Working full time and have kids to look after.

[@jtjc7705]

Yeah, pretty disheartening to hear the weight it was projected to be held at. Degrees want additional extra curricular credit hours, and x# of credits must be obtained at THAT particular college so that college can make the money. So tough luck if you've had to move a couple times for various reasons. You also get into the financial debate of most with degrees were lucky enough to have a support network/family early on before the complications of later life make it more unrealistic. I would go so far as to say those who have self-taught later in life have an even higher dedication and fire for the learning and a fire to do the job they are applying for because in order to do it self taught you are completely giving up any extra time and life you could potentially have outside of work to dedicate yourself for learning this skill. It's more serious and focused for a purpose than the general attitude a college student would have while doing college.

[@Inc0gnit030]

"I would argue that people with degree more dedicated" Whatever makes you feel better about the fact that some people out there who only have GEDs are getting jobs that you're shelling out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans in order to land....