Not all companies are equal for career changers.
Career-changer friendly: Startups (value versatility), companies that hire from bootcamps, non-tech companies with tech teams (banks, retailers), companies founded by career changers.
Less friendly initially: FAANG (competitive, degree-heavy), quant firms, companies requiring clearances.
Tiering strategy:
- Tier : Practice companies (apply first, learn from rejections)
- Tier : Realistic targets (where you'd be happy)
- Tier : Reach companies (dream jobs)
Apply to Tier first. Save Tier until you've done a few interviews.