I finished a coding bootcamp and also have ten years in retail management, but don’t have a college degree. Are there tech roles that genuinely value customer-facing experience, and how do I compete with new grads for entry-level opportunities?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Yes! I truly think all experience is valuable! You will bring those skills into your new job. Your maturity and ability to handle customer facing work with ease.

like

You will probably have to accept a low wage, entry level "consultancy" job, but if you try hard enough you'll manage to get through! No university or bootcamp teaches you what you need for the real thing. I've seen HMs preferring candidates without a degree but with motivation (and proves of their commitment and ability to deliver, for example you created a software for retail management during your time there) many times.

Many tech support, customer success, QA, and implementation roles actually prefer candidates with strong customer-facing skills. When competing with new grads, highlight your real-world leadership, problem-solving, and communication expertise. Focus on your ability to understand user pain points and get things done. Those matter as much as technical chops for many entry-level roles.

Customer-facing experience can be a huge asset in tech roles like product support, customer success, or even UX-focused positions. To compete with new grads, highlight how your management and customer experience translate to problem-solving, communication, and leadership. Real projects from your bootcamp plus concrete examples from your work make your profile stand out even without a degree.

Yes tech is very understanding of not having textbook college background, ive found

Related Posts

Anyone know what is BCG Principal / Partner Salary in London? I want to know if busting my ass here is even worth it long term

like

Hi, Anyone working in Virtusa with BT as Client?

Hi guys , are there any apps like shuttl operational in Hyderabad?

like

How long after interviewing for a lateral position would you expect to hear back?

like

I'm entering my final year of law school but am going part time since I work full time as a paralegal. I have been a paralegal for more 10+ years and I want to open my own firm after I pass the bar.

I've worked at a lot of different size firms including a startup with a few attorneys and I was able to help with a lot of the ground work with getting the practice management system in place and still do some of that now at my current firm. Has anyone done this right out of law school? Any advice?

like

Has anyone paid for a career counselor or test and found it to be worthwhile?

like

I would be recently joining as a credit analyst in a global bank.

What are the exit opportunities for this profile?

Can someone switch to FP&A or IB from here?

like

Hi everyone, pls give me 11 likes so I can start DMing. Thank you!

likehelpful

Guys please help me with 11 love on my profile to enable DM.

like

What are the exit opportunities for digital consulting if product management recruiting doesnt go well?

like

Hi all,

I'm looking for job change currently in RPA Blue Prism Profile. Can anyone refer me in PwC?

Thanks in advance.

like

Hi everyone, I have created this bowl to answer questions that professionals might have about immigrating to Canada. I am a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in Vancouver,BC. Ask away!

like

I have been offered a job at KPMG within cyber security in the uk. Originally it was a 25% hike offer. Now I have received a 8% hike at Deloitte as part of the current performance cycle along with a 5k bonus (great incentives every year) The only thing is KPMG is offering this in a @kpmg regional location where I’m based plus the disadvantage is I need to pay 2500£ for my dependent visa costs which I can save if I continued with Deloitte. Seen Lot of negative comments about KPMG. Any thoughts ?

like

Hi Fishes.
Could you pls help me with the below?

My CTC is very low . Approx = YoE (4.5).
I'm currently nominated for H1b 2023 and the process is pending with USCIS approval after lottery. Heard that the H1B process would take months to get completed. Is it worth waiting for the process to get completed or should I make a switch . Kindly pour your suggestions .

like

Does anybody have a resource available for pricing and billing? I am 2 years out of law school, working as a corporate attorney, and wanting to go solo. Ideally, I will take my corporate client with me, but am working to build work on the side during the transition. Also, do you have any recommendations for document preparation? I would like to draft wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents, but would like a resource that has boilerplate provisions to utilize as a reference.

like

Hello Fishes,

I urgently need a suggestion, yesterday I have joined a company, but I haven't submitted all the documents yet.
I'm yet to complete the on boarding process.
Can I abscond them today i.e. after 1 day?
If yes, what reason I should tell them?

Yesterday night, I have got a better opportunity.

like

Hi
Can anyone tell me if there is any opening at PwC for Angular developers / Salesforce Developer fresher?

Hello there! I currently work in billing at a medical office. I got my Bachelors in Psychology a few years ago but I couldn’t find a position that seemed like a good option for me that was well paying and fulfilling. I tried working as a tech at an Applied Behavior Analysis clinic but it wasn’t a good fit. I’m hesitant to try case management or social work because I worry I won’t like it but I want to use my degree in Psychology. Does anyone have any ideas for me?

like

What are everyone's thoughts on executive MBA vs. traditional MBA? I'm currently pursuing a traditional MBA but sometimes I wonder what could've been 😅

like

Additional Posts in Ask A Recruiter - Tech

Every time I try to work with a recruiter, the initial conversation goes great and then I never hear another peep from them. Am I doing something wrong? What can I do to make working with a recruiter worth my time?

like

How can I get my foot in the door with Microsoft?

like

Hi everyone, I am looking to join a team ! I have 4 years of recruiting experience within the healthcare and staffing industry. I would love a remote position or on-site positions within the DMV area. Please let me know if you know of or have any opportunities available. Thank you !

like

Has anyone attended HackerX events? I'm wondering how the experience was and if you felt you built a brand with good candidates.

like

How much should Software Engineers make in year if you have 4-5 years of experience in the Bay Area?

like

Anyone up for going through my resume?
Help will be so much appreciated :)

like

What do you like about working in tech ?

like

Why are engineers so difficult to recruit? Sometimes they make me feel stupid lol.

Any suggestions for good training courses for tech recruitment?

like

Trying to narrow down my quarter life crisis. Currently I’m looking at a UX Design bootcamp, do people actually hire from these bootcamps?

like

When you recruiters say at the end of a 15 min call.
“I will get back to you by the end of this week” does that really mean “your not right for this position”? Because this whole thing is a waste of time. I’ve did these calls with 3 recruiters and is yet to hear back from someone. Today would be the 4th recruiter that I’ve spoken to. Does this practice annoy you guys just as much as it does us? My dream career is to be a technical recruiter but this whole thing is discouraging.

like

Currently looking for Tech consulting/ Implementation consultant/ privacy roles in London. I have both CIPP/E and CIPM.
Please let me know if you know any roles that are available? Or any recruitment agencies you can refer me to

Thank you!

like

Next week I have two skill interviews w/ Accenture & Bioventus (both Workday positions) . Any advice / recommendations on preparation for the questions (and answers) they may ask?

like

Interviewing for a tech job for BlackRock. Do they really want people in Atlanta office 3 days? Doesn’t seem competitive for the market. Is there flexibility in this? Or are they watching badge entry?

like

I’ve worked at the same well known tech company since I graduated school 8 years ago. I’ve been promoted 3 times so I’ve held a few different jobs within my org.

BUT .. I’ve applied to a few companies and getting no responses. Is it a deterrent for hiring managers/recruiters that my experience is based primarily at one company?

like

How do referrals work?
If I get a referral from someone and I apply, then can I still reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn expressing interest in the role? And do I let them know that I already applied? I’m sure they get tons of messages so what should I say so that it won’t be overlooked?Im currently unemployed and very eager to get an entry level position in either HR, Marketing, or Project/Program Coordinator in the tech field, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

like

Hi all I’m a certified Project manager and Scrum Master with 8+ years of healthcare experience and 3 plus years in Tech as a product manager with some 5 years in service designing. I really need a well compensating remote evening/ night shift position pls can anyone help or refer me? Thank you!

like

Anyone that can invite me to some Slack groups for UI/UX designers and software developers for my learning?

like

I'm looking to make the jump into tech but I've got an Advertising background. Is it possible? Looking for a referral.

like

Are you feeling a slowdown in recruitment business? If you are, how are you combatting this?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal