Latest / The Career Change Podcast with Fexingo: Switching Fields, Bootcamps, and Reskilling / Bootcamp Grads Landing Remote First Jobs
Transcript
- Lucas: So you finished a coding bootcamp, you've got a solid portfolio of projects, and you're ready to start applying. But here's the thing — the job market you're entering looks nothing like it did even five years ago. Luna: You're talking about the shift to remote-first hiring, right? I feel like that changes the whole playbook for bootcamp grads. Lucas: Exactly. A lot of the traditional advice — polish your resume, network at meetups, go to career fairs — it still matters, but the game is different when you're competing against developers from anywhere in the world. And for bootcamp grads, that's both an opportunity and a challenge. Luna: So where do you even start? I'd imagine the first step is understanding which companies are actually hiring remote-first, not just offering occasional work-from-home days. Lucas: Right. There's a big difference between companies that are 'remote-friendly' and those that are 'remote-first'. Remote-friendly means you might be able to work from home a couple days a week, but the core team is still in an office. Remote-first means the entire company operates as if everyone is remote — even people who live near the office. That's the distinction. Luna: And for a bootcamp grad, remote-first companies tend to be more inclusive, don't they? Less emphasis on pedigree or the school you went to. Lucas: That's exactly right. Companies like GitLab, Zapier, Buffer — they've built entire hiring processes around evaluating what you can do, not where you came from. GitLab's handbook is public, and they explicitly say they look for evidence of self-motivation and async communication skills. That's a huge advantage for bootcamp grads who can demonstrate those traits through their projects. Luna: So how does a bootcamp grad show they're good at async communication? That's not something you typically put on a resume. Lucas: You can show it. For example, if you have a GitHub repo, look at how you write your commit messages and pull request descriptions. Are they clear? Do they explain the why behind the code? You can also contribute to open source — even a small fix or documentation update shows you can collaborate with people you've never met. That's gold for a remote-first employer. Luna: I've also seen bootcamp grads create blog posts or videos explaining their projects. That feels like a strong signal — it shows you can communicate complex ideas clearly, which is huge when you're not in the same room. Lucas: Totally. And another thing: your portfolio website itself should be optimized for remote hiring. Make sure it loads fast, works well on mobile, and includes a clear 'about me' that highlights your remote work readiness. Mention that you're comfortable with tools like Slack, Zoom, Notion — whatever you've used. It sounds simple, but it sets the tone. Luna: Let's talk about the actual job search. Are there specific job boards or platforms that are better for remote-first roles? Lucas: Yeah, there are a few. Remote OK, We Work Remotely, and the Hacker News 'Who is hiring?' threads — those are good. But I think the bigger strategy is to look for startups that are distributed by design. Many early-stage companies are remote-first from day one because they can't afford office space. Those companies are often more willing to take a chance on a bootcamp grad. Luna: And when you apply, the cover letter becomes even more important, right? Because you need to explain why you want to work remotely, not just why you want the job. Lucas: Exactly. A generic cover letter won't cut it. You should mention something specific about the company's remote culture — maybe you read their blog post about async stand-ups, or you like that they use a certain tool. Show that you've done your homework on how they work, not just what they build. Luna: Okay, so you get the interview. What's different about a remote interview versus an in-person one? Lucas: A few things. First, technical screens are often live coding over a shared editor or a take-home project. The live coding can be nerve-wracking because you're being watched, but the key is to verbalize your thought process. The interviewer wants to see how you think, not just whether you get the right answer. Luna: And for take-home projects, you have more time, but the expectations are higher. They're looking for clean code, documentation, and maybe even tests. Lucas: Right. And one thing that's specific to remote hiring: they often do a 'cultural fit' interview that's really about your communication style. They might ask how you handle a situation where you're stuck on a problem and your team is in a different time zone. The answer is not 'I'd stay up late' — it's 'I'd write a clear message with context, include what I've tried, and set a reasonable expectation for a response.' Luna: That's so practical. Let's also talk about the negotiation phase. Remote salaries can be tricky — some companies pay based on location, others pay a flat rate. Lucas: Yeah, it's a big topic. Some remote-first companies, like Buffer, have transparent salary formulas. GitLab adjusts pay based on cost of living in your region. Others just pay a market rate for the role regardless of where you live. As a bootcamp grad, you should research this before you get an offer. Sites like Levels.fyi and Glassdoor can give you a sense of the range for remote roles. Luna: And if you're based in a low-cost-of-living area, that can actually work in your favor if the company pays a flat rate. You could earn a salary that goes much further. Lucas: Exactly. And honestly, that's one of the biggest advantages of remote work for career changers. You're not forced to move to San Francisco or New York to get a tech job. You can stay where you are and still earn a competitive salary. Luna: Before we go further, I want to mention something that's been on my mind. This podcast is ad-free, and a lot of research and preparation goes into each episode. Lucas: Yeah, that's true. And we do it because we love helping people navigate career changes. But we're only able to keep this going because a small group of listeners chips in monthly through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's not a big ask — just if you find value here and want to support the show. Luna: It honestly makes a difference. And it keeps us independent, so we can cover topics like this without any outside pressure. So if you've gotten something out of the show, consider joining that group. Lucas: Alright, back to remote-first hiring. Another really smart move for bootcamp grads is to network without borders. Instead of going to local meetups, join online communities like the r/cscareerquestions subreddit, or the Tech Careers Discord servers. Engage genuinely — answer questions, share your projects, ask for feedback. Luna: And those are asynchronous too, which means you can contribute on your own time. That's perfect for building a reputation before you even apply. Lucas: One more thing I want to touch on is the portfolio itself. For remote-first roles, your portfolio should tell a story. Don't just list projects — explain the problem you solved, the tools you used, and the outcome. If possible, include a link to a live demo or a short screencast walkthrough. That gives the interviewer a sense of your communication skills before they even meet you. Luna: And screencasts are a great way to stand out. Not many bootcamp grads do that. So it's a low-effort differentiator. Lucas: Absolutely. Look, the remote-first job market is still growing. According to a recent report, over thirty percent of tech job postings are now fully remote, compared to maybe ten percent pre-pandemic. That's a huge shift. And bootcamp grads who adapt their approach — focusing on async communication, building a remote-ready portfolio, and targeting distributed-first companies — can absolutely land those roles. Luna: So the key takeaway is: don't just apply to remote jobs the same way you'd apply to on-site jobs. Tailor your entire application to the remote context. Lucas: Exactly. Show them you understand how remote work actually functions. That's the edge you need. Luna: Thanks for the tips, Lucas. I think a lot of our listeners will find this really actionable. Lucas: Glad to help. If you're a bootcamp grad currently job hunting, good luck — and remember to lean into what makes remote work different. It's an advantage if you use it right.