Tech Job Search Over! Tips for helping you find a coding-adjacent job!!!

I’m really happy to share that my job search is over! Although the job search was technically only 2.5 months (starting at the beginning of April when I completed the Software Engineering Live program at Flatiron School), I have been unemployed since I left my previous role at the end of November 2021, and was looking for a change (and was professionally unhappy) since March 2020 when COVID lockdown started. This has all worn on my finances, health, and relationships and it is an immense relief and joy for it to be over.

There’s a job somewhere over this dune… right? I hope…

I will be starting as an Associate Support Engineer at Retool… Wait… that’s not Software Engineering! I thought I invested 3 months (and a lot of $$$) into coding? This job sounds coding-adjacent! I did, and it opened up doors to coding-adjacent positions, especially after I did a hard look at what I wanted. I could not be happier to have this position, which is a client-facing role to support Retool users better utilize the platform to make their internal apps/tools.

Here are 3 tips (that I know you’ve been told or read before) that helped me find my coding-adjacent job.

1. Mine ⛏ your network — I know there is always an emphasis on building your network, but I found the most value in looking within the network I already had. I scheduled a phone call with a couple that worked in tech that I had trained for years. I knew likely they were not going to be able to refer me to a job (I explored their LinkedIn network), but I wanted the opportunity to speak with people that I trusted and who trusted me. They immediately steered me more towards client-facing positions, specifically pre-sales, as they knew from working with me that I had the customer service/communication/presentations skills to succeed there. This conversation was instrumental in shifting what I was looking for. I continued to look for front-end software engineering positions (another shift, to focus only on front-end vs. full stack) but opened up my search for solutions/pre-sales engineering positions.
2. Reframe your skills — Part of that conversation was realizing the skills that I did have that separate me from others. I was a stage actor/improv performer, so I have well-developed presentation and communication skills and can pivot quickly on the spot. I also enjoy presenting and being in front of people and do not need a lot of prep to feel comfortable. I was a trainer/coach/educator/manager in Fitness, where I developed customer service, business development, mentoring, Motivational Interviewing, and facilitation skills. It took me a while to realize I had these skills as they were just part of my day-to-day, but once I did realize and reframe them into language that could apply (in my CV, cover letters, and interviews) I found new superpowers that made me into a great candidate.
3. Learn thyself — This process required a lot of reflection as I tried to mold myself into whatever the job application required. There is no such thing as the perfect job. My reflections helped me realize that I do thrive on one-on-one communication and that I love solving problems (Math Major!!!) especially while helping others. I know a lot of software engineers love that they have the autonomy to do projects on their own and not have to face clients/customers. I do love the idea of autonomy, but I find energy in communication and collaboration, and I think I found an ideal role in tech to start at. (Hopefully, I fare better than Tom Smykowski)

What would you say… you do here?

I hope that this reframing of these basic tips can help you. There are so many wonderful roles in tech outside of straight coding. It would have been downright irresponsible of me to run away from the many skills I worked so hard to earn and develop over 14 years in the fitness/wellness industry. It was especially fun to realize all the skills I developed working as a performer that help me stand out. There’s an old saying in show business: You can take the drama kid out of the drama department, but you cannot take the drama out of the drama kid.

Onto the next chapter!!!!!!