Beyond The Bootcamp: Your NSS Job Search Toolkit

In this series, we've covered why networking is your most powerful job search strategy and shared a playbook for how to network authentically. In this next post, we're focusing on the support system you have in your corner to help you put it all into practice. Building a network and launching a new career takes effort, but you don't have to do it alone.

Lean on NSS’s Career Development Team

Your journey with NSS doesn’t end on graduation day. Our Career Development team is your dedicated partner throughout your job search, providing support and guidance both during your bootcamp and until you land your first tech job. This support is a core part of your NSS experience, and we encourage you to use it.

During Your Bootcamp

Throughout the program, we help you get ready for the job market with:

• Career Development Workshops: We hold workshops focused on networking and how to use LinkedIn, resume building, interview preparation, job and company types, negotiation tactics, and marketing yourself effectively to employers.
• Industry Connections: You’ll meet and learn from working professionals from a variety of companies and industries who share their experience and advice.
• Mock Interviews: We conduct both technical and behavioral mock interviews to give you a chance to practice and receive direct feedback. (This event is held quarterly and may occur after you graduate.)
• Demo Day: Your bootcamp culminates in Demo Day, where we introduce you to prospective employers and give you an immediate opportunity to showcase your capstone project.

After Your Bootcamp

After graduation, we’re here to help you with:

• Resume and LinkedIn Review: Your resume and LinkedIn profile are living documents. As you add new projects or tailor them for specific opportunities, Ashley and Michael are always happy to take another look to help ensure your story is presented clearly and effectively.
• Targeted Job Leads: Our team actively sources job leads from employers and shares opportunities that are a great fit for NSS graduates. Make sure you’re watching your email for messages to the Seeker Google Group.
• Strategy and Encouragement: If you feel stuck or discouraged, schedule a one-on-one session to troubleshoot your search strategy, practice salary negotiations, or simply get the encouragement you need to keep going. (Book a time with Ashley Dickson)
• Weekly Webinar & Support Sessions: Our weekly webinars offer a variety of ways to engage, from learning from a guest speaker and getting advice on the job search to connecting with fellow NSS job Seekers.

Keep Building Your Networking Skills

In addition to the direct support from the NSS team, a successful job search relies on the connections you build. As we covered earlier in this series, networking is the single most effective way to tap into the “hidden job market” where the majority of roles are filled.

Building these skills takes practice, so we’ve gathered a few extra resources our team recommends to help you continue sharpening your skills.

Networking Resources:

• The 20-Minute Networking Meeting by Marcia Ballinger and Nathan A. Perez: Recommended read by a guest at our Leadership Panel event. There are two versions you can consider: Professional Edition or Graduate Edition
• The Key to Networking: How to Network to Get a Job with Greg Langstaff (YouTube)
• How to Network and Get a Job: Why your Networking is Not Working with Emily Durham (YouTube)
• How to Network Properly when Looking for a New Job with LinkedIn editor-in-chief Dan Roth (TODAY Show)

You've Got This

It’s no secret that job searches are longer than in prior years and headlines about the industry can be discouraging. But it's important to focus on what you can control: your networking strategy and your skills.

Nashville continues to show remarkable strength in the tech sector. According to the 2025 State of the Tech Workforce report from CompTIA, Nashville ranked among the top 10 metro areas in the entire country for net tech employment job gains in 2024.

Heavy competition in your job search is real, but for those in Middle Tennessee, you are in a city that is actively creating tech roles. However, the strategies we've discussed in this series—building your network and tapping into the hidden job market—are more critical than ever.

The job search takes time and consistent effort. Your skills are valuable, and your community is here to support you. Keep building projects, keep making connections, and know that you are not alone in this search. Next week, we’ll share some resources to help you keep your skills sharp during your job search. We are here to help you every step of the way.