Since it was founded in 2002, LinkedIn has gained a massive following. Tech experts from around the world are part of the company’s strong workforce. If you are just starting your career in technology after bootcamp training and you do not have a degree yet, this article is for you. You’ll learn how to get a job at LinkedIn without a degree.
It is possible to work at LinkedIn as a bootcamp grad. First, you need to understand how the tech industry considers bootcamp talent and how a computer science degree compares to a bootcamp education. You will also find a list of some of the top job opportunities for coding bootcamp graduates at LinkedIn in the guide below.
What Do Employers Think of Bootcamp Grads?
In the US, most employers recognize bootcamps as a legitimate means for acquiring tech skills. Initially, employers were skeptical about employing bootcamp grads, but as bootcamp popularity has grown, so has the credibility of the education they provide. Bootcamps offer excellent resources and plenty of opportunities for hundreds of software engineers.
Employers that place skills ahead of credentials are willing to give bootcamp grads jobs. A report by Indeed revealed that up to 12 percent of US hiring managers believed that bootcamp graduates are even more prepared than college graduates who majored in a tech field. Bootcamps give students actual job skills to join a technology team in the real world.
Do Tech Companies Hire Bootcamp Grads?
Yes, technology companies across the US hire bootcamp graduates. Major tech companies like LinkedIn, Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Cisco, and Dropbox have all hired bootcamp grads for various roles. While a college degree is still more valuable overall, bootcamp grads continue to garner more respect in the field.
Other top companies that hire bootcamp graduates are Access Development, Eventbrite, Granicus, and Progressive Insurance. Part of the reason these companies hire bootcamp grads is that there is an increasing demand for tech talent across all industries. Bootcamps teach computer science programming languages and other advanced skills.
Does LinkedIn Hire Bootcamp Grads?
Yes, LinkedIn hires bootcamp grads and other candidates without degrees. LinkedIn is more concerned about your professional brand, personal story, and project portfolio than your college degree. If you attend a good bootcamp and organize your portfolio based on your skills, you might stand an equal chance as someone with a degree.
College Degrees vs Bootcamps: Which Option Better Prepares Students to Work at LinkedIn?
Colleges and bootcamp prepare students in different ways for LinkedIn jobs. However, determining which option prepares you most will depend on the position you are applying for. The lists below will detail which education path suits different roles. If you have enough professional experience, you can find career success at LinkedIn.
What LinkedIn Looks For in an Employee
- Collaboration. You need excellent collaboration skills to work at LinkedIn. Make sure your resume indicates that you work well with others. Collaboration is especially important for someone interested in working in software development.
- Integrity. On the official LinkedIn careers page, integrity is listed as one of the must-have qualities of all LinkedIn workers. All employees are expected to do the right thing and follow company rules and values. You can prove your integrity by getting a glowing recommendation from your previous employer.
- Innovation. Like every other relevant company, LinkedIn is looking for people with creative minds that can contribute positively to the company’s overall objectives. You also need to be adaptable since LinkedIn is a constantly evolving company.
- Result-Oriented. Being result-oriented means that you have the discipline and time management skills required to get the job done. It means that you are driven by outcome rather than long and unnecessary processes.
How a Degree Prepares You to Be the Perfect LinkedIn Employee
- Career Advancement. There are many management positions at LinkedIn that can only be filled by people who have advanced degrees. Enrolling in computer science degree programs shows that you are willing to transform your career and chase innovation.
- Soft Skills. The traditional college degree takes prospective students four years to complete. By the time you become a university grad, you will learn more than just technical skills. These soft skills include communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and integrity.
- Accreditation. For entry-level positions, it is easier to land a job at LinkedIn if you have a college degree. If you graduate from an accredited school, you will stand a good chance of being hired by LinkedIn.
- Corporate Training Programs. A computer science university program gives you access to several apprenticeship programs that will look good on a resume. There are in-person and online programs available at your disposal that will give you an edge over a self-taught technology expert.
How a Bootcamp Prepares You to Be the Perfect LinkedIn Employee
- Group Work. The best coding bootcamps place emphasis on hands-on individual and group training. Since LinkedIn wants people with excellent collaboration skills, the group projects you complete at bootcamps will help you acquire these skills.
- Project-Based Learning. Project-based learning is always result-driven, and bootcamps help you learn by doing. For example, in coding bootcamps, students choose a capstone project, like building a website. You do not need a four-year college degree for that.
- Continuous Education. Most people who attend bootcamps already have college degrees. Bootcamps help people to realize their tech dreams at any point in their lives whether or not they have college degrees. Attending a bootcamp when you already have a degree shows your willingness to continue learning.
- Job Preparation. The best coding bootcamps have dedicated career services teams. These teams are dedicated to mentoring students and providing them with the best chances to get jobs after the program.
What LinkedIn Jobs Are Available to Bootcamp Grads?
As a bootcamp graduate, you can apply for entry-level positions at LinkedIn. Start with positions that do not exclusively request college degrees. If you pass the technical interview and behavioral interviews, you will stand a good chance of landing a tech job. Below are some great opportunities at LinkedIn for bootcamp grads.
LinkedIn Job Title | Average LinkedIn Salary | Average Salary (US) | Best Bootcamp Option |
Information Security Engineer | $222,465 | $115,359 | Fullstack Academy |
Product Manager | $175,847 | $94,704 | Product School |
Artificial Intelligence Engineer | $157,757 | $164,769 | Springboard |
Software Engineer | $148,540 | $99,729 | General Assembly |
Product Designer | $122,139 | $84,316 | Thinkful |
Information Security Engineer
This information security job is primarily offered to those with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Security or someone with at least four years of experience. Apart from knowledge of IT security and related systems, it would also help if you have software engineering experience using programming languages like Python and Java.
How Fullstack Academy Can Help You Become an Information Security Engineer at LinkedIn
Fullstack Academy is one of the best bootcamps for learning information security. You can choose to learn full-time for 13 weeks or part-time for 23 weeks. The bootcamp covers networking, data encoding, security concepts, basic cryptography, and system administration. Ethical hacking and threat modeling are also covered during the bootcamp program.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
LinkedIn is currently recruiting entry-level AI experts for a full-time role at its Sunnyvale or San Francisco offices in California. To qualify for the job, you will need to know machine learning and other big data technologies like Hadoop, Presto, Hive, Spark, and Lucene/SOLR. This is one of the best entry-level data science jobs out there.
How Springboard Can Help You Become an AI Engineer at LinkedIn
Springboard was founded in 2013 and has become one of the best bootcamp course providers for machine learning and artificial intelligence skills. You should consider Springboard as your online bootcamp if you want to qualify for this role because the bootcamp covers all the practical skills you need. Programs run for six to nine months.
Product Manager
This is a hybrid or remote role designed for people with bachelor’s degrees in technology fields. However, if you are a bootcamp graduate with at least three years of experience in product management or a similar role, you may apply for this job. You will be charged with designing product road maps while working closely with the product development team.
How Product School Can Help You Become a Product Manager at LinkedIn
Product School is one of the best bootcamps exclusively designed for product management professions. There are different certificate programs available to bootcamp students depending on their current level of experience. You can shoot for the most advanced practical skills to increase your chances of getting employed at LinkedIn.
Product Designer
Product designing is one of the most important aspects of a traditional product development process. To be considered for this position at LinkedIn, you need to have a fully functional website portfolio with your resume. You also need to possess collaboration skills since you will be working with other members of the development team to conceptualize product design.
How Thinkful Can Help You Become a Product Designer at LinkedIn
Thinkful is one of the best bootcamps for learning product design. The full-time program lasts for five months and the part-time program lasts for six months. Some of the courses covered are interactive design, wireframe prototyping, and information architecture. These courses provide you with the most critical skills for working as a product designer at LinkedIn.
Software Engineering
If you have experience with programming languages like Python, Java, and C#, you may be an ideal candidate to join LinkedIn’s productive engineering team. It helps to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering or a related field. However, bootcamp education and a strong project portfolio can prove just as useful in your job hunt.
How General Assembly Can Help You Become a Software Engineering at LinkedIn
General Assembly is one of the most popular coding bootcamps for an aspiring software developer. The software engineering program is available on a full-time or part-time basis. It covers topics like Python, JavaScript, React, and APIs. GA also has an excellent career center that provides customized job placement services. General Assembly reviews praise the schools for its instructors and curriculum.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Get Me a Job at LinkedIn?
Yes, a coding bootcamp education might help you secure a job at LinkedIn. Just make sure you attend a reputable bootcamp that can equip you with the soft skills and practical skills you need. However, you may need to start with an entry-level position and work towards a more senior role. Read bootcamp reviews and stories from bootcamp alumni to help you.
There is a tech talent shortage in the current industry, and many companies like LinkedIn are looking for talented tech professionals to join their tech teams. Bootcamp faculty teach high-quality online courses to project managers, junior developers, and more. If you’re looking for a full-time position at a major company, a bootcamp certificate can help you with your job search.
Does LinkedIn Hire Bootcamp Grads? FAQ
Yes, bootcamp graduates get hired by companies in the technology industry. Many of these grads get dream jobs within the first six months of graduating. Coding bootcamp grads also end up working in different industries as well.
Yes, employers across the globe recognize bootcamp as alternatives to universities. A coding bootcamp can still help you find a job in tech. Bootcamps also offer resources for tech professionals and can even help you connect with tech recruiters.
Yes, it may be hard to get a job right after completing a bootcamp, especially if the bootcamp doesn’t have hiring partners or job guarantees. There are still many employers who do not completely trust bootcamps and may be skeptical about giving a fresh graduate with no experience a chance.
Yes, coding bootcamps are worth it in 2022 for career switchers who want to learn a specific technology skill. The bootcamp model offers job-specific training that lasts for a few weeks or months. This is typically accompanied by career and job place services. So, there is a chance that you might land a high-paying job after completing the program.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
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