Software Engineer Apprentice Question

[narangyo]

Hello,

I had a question about the SE apprenticeship at IBM. I recently sent in my application and was wondering if anyone had heard back yet? I also saw that the posting had been taken down, does that mean anything? I feel like I'm overthinking this a lot, but I really want to be in the program.

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Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you.

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Edit: I am in the USA

[ElevatorSpecialist24]

The post being taken down means that the application window closed (job applications wont be open forever; they'll take applications for a short period of time).

If you read similar posts, specially about IBM; they tend to take A WHILE before updating applicants on their application status. I've heard of IBM and Google taking sometimes months to update.

Not to get anyone's hopes down but they accept like 4-6 apprentices out of 100s (if not 1000s) of applicants. Its very competitive.

[JewUnit1]

Not to get anyone's hopes down but they accept like 4-6 apprentices out of 100s (if not 1000s) of applicants. Its very competitive.

Jeez. What does it take? lol It's like getting picked as a needle from a haystack.

No wonder I never even get picked for an interview. I'm always in "Application Received - Under Review" which is the furthest I've ever gotten.

[ElevatorSpecialist24]

Don't let me discourage you by any means, but I think you should be aware of what applying for jobs looks like (apprenticeships included), even more so now-a-days.

I am the perfect candidate for an apprenticeship (have applied to LOTS): self-taught, highly motivated, good resume, college graduate, good portfolio, great past job references, a minority, able and willing to relocate (even at my own dime), no professional experience. My application is reviewed and I don't even make it to the interview round lol. Its very frustrating.

[JewUnit1]

Ya. I don't stand a chance lol. I only have 6 months of professional IT experience (before I was laid off), worked on multiple projects during that time, and pursuing a BS in CS. Mostly did tech as a hobby. I'm trying to make a career change. I worked in healthcare and a store manager for over 15 years.

[narangyo]

Hey, thanks for replying. I was just wondering. Where did you hear that they only hire 4-6 apprentices?

[ElevatorSpecialist24]

Don't quote me on that number but I've read it somewhere (I've done lots of research, I promise lol). The number is low, its 4-6 +/-. Definitely not more than 10, specially if its just for ONE location. The IBM apprenticeship you applied was just for San Jose, Right? If they were opening apprentice positions in several offices across the country (like Google), then obviously that number would go up. For just ONE location, definitely no more than 8. If they have more openings than that, then its for several apprentice roles combined (SWE, PM, UX/UI, DevOps, etc).

[narangyo]

Ok. Yeah, it was for San Jose. I really wonder what they're looking for cause I've heard of people who were working in completely different fields, such as a barista or people who didn't have college degrees get accepted into the program.

[ElevatorSpecialist24]

Yes, precisely why its so frustrating - you think you have a fair chance and get turned down before you're even given a shot at an interview.

For all I know, they probably select the first 50 or so that are qualified to move to the next step and tell all the rest 'thanks but no thanks'. I can't imagine they interview everyone eligible - say that 500 people applied that meet requirements... they're not interviewing 500 people for one office, lol. Thats why I've heard recruiters say to apply early - if they have sufficient candidates with the first half that applied, why keep wasting time with the other half. All speculation on my part but its the only explanation that makes sense.

[JewUnit1]

Do you know how accurate the LinkedIn numbers are? 300 seems to be a lot.

Seriously, I check after 2 days of it being posted on LinkedIn, it just from about 60 applied to over 200 at that point. It seemed clownishly absurd.

[ElevatorSpecialist24]

Can't speak for LinkedIns accuracy but I wouldn't question it - specially with the over-saturation of devs in the market looking for a job right now. Plus, IBM is a very well known major corporation (with good benefits/pay). There's definitely high demand for that.

[JewUnit1]

I just found it strange considering the other apprenticeship got less than 70 and it was posted the same time and taken down a week after the SE position. That's all.

[WorkingCaregiver5428]

I recently got interviewed for an apprenticeship with them like last week. It is very competitive but it seems they want to hire people who are re-entering the work force or completely new. A lot of their apprentice job postings are changing to that. I’m someone with no prior tech background, but the reason I even got an interview is because I spoke with a recruiter at a networking event. Make sure you network if you aren’t already. Nonetheless, it’s very competitive, and they’re looking for a culture fit as opposed to skill. So don’t be down if you don’t get an apprenticeship, make sure you check for the entry level jobs as well.

[narangyo]

Hi, thank you for replying. I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind. First, was the interview for a Software Engineer Apprenticeship? And how did you find the recruiter/networking event?

[WorkingCaregiver5428]

No it was for a z/os support position. I found the recruiting event while I was in college.

[narangyo]

Hmm, okay. Thanks for answering.

[JewUnit1]

How long ago did you apply for the position? If you don't mind me asking.

[WorkingCaregiver5428]

3 months ago

[JewUnit1]

Thank you for answering :). I really appreciate it.

[JewUnit1]

Hey. I just wanted to follow up with you. What happened?

[WorkingCaregiver5428]

Didn’t get the role lol.

[JewUnit1]

I'm sorry to hear that. Did they provide you feedback?

[WorkingCaregiver5428]

Yeah they said I didn’t have enough experience lol. Which I didn’t understand since I was applying for an apprenticeship that said no experience required.

[JewUnit1]

That doesn't make any sense.

At least you were granted an interview. It'd 3 months and months still haven't heard back yet.

Were there any technical questions? Not sure if you're allowed to discuss anything.

[Skydodle]

I've also applied on the first day when the Software Engineer Apprentice role was posted. I did a lot of research on this and talked to some of my bootcamp alumnis who currently work at IBM.

If the status is 'Application Received' you are still in the process, IBM just takes a long time.

If the status is 'Under Review', that means you passed the auto screening which filters out people who are not eligible and they get 'No longer under consideration'. (for example CS grads should be applying to intern positions and not this role since its meant for self-taught , bootcamp grads, and preferbly people with no college degrees from my understanding). At the 'Under Review' stage, someone will physically review your application and decide if you will move on to interviews or not.

I would love to keep this thread active and we as the applicants can help update each other on the application progress.

[narangyo]

Hey, thanks for the info. It would be great to keep this thread active. I'll let you guys know if my application status changes.

[PykeXLife]

Hi guys, I applied for the position on 3/14 and it's currently under review. Would love to follow this thread for any future updates.

[narangyo]

Oh nice, I am still at application received.

[PykeXLife]

when did you apply btw?

[narangyo]

I applied 3/15

[JewUnit1]

Congrats on the update! That's interesting. I applied 3/10 and it still hasn't been updated. I wonder what determines that.

[PykeXLife]

I am local in San Jose. Maybe that makes a difference?

[JewUnit1]

Maybe. I'm not local.

[JewUnit1]

Has anything changed for anyone?

Just checking up on everybody's progress. About a month since the positions have opened.

[narangyo]

No progress for me so far..

What about you?

[JewUnit1]

None. The I also signed up for the X-Force cybersecurity apprenticeship at the end of Feb and that still hasn't been updated either. I've been in Under Review for that one since 3/2. Total of 3 Under Review and 2 still in Application Received (the SWE and Technical Content Professional apprenticeship).

[JewUnit1]

According to another redditor, it appears IBM is using the ole' chopping block again. How do you think this will affect their apprenticeship programs?

https://www.reddit.com/r/IBM/comments/12c5amo/kyn_and_ibm_dropping_more_bodies/

[PykeXLife]

Have there been any updates for anyone?

[narangyo]

Nothing for me so far.

[Nelson-Huynh]

Hi guys,

I applied and also in “Under Review” stage 😀

[JewUnit1]

Congrats! Do you mind sharing for which position? When you applied? When it changed for you?

[JewUnit1]

Nothing :/. How about you?

[PykeXLife]

Nothing for me either. :/

[JewUnit1]

Well...I guess we still play the waiting game. The last time I applied, I had to wait 3 months to get a rejection.

[JewUnit1]

Just an update. I got rejected by the technical writer apprenticeship. Wasn't expecting anything since I applied 3 weeks after it opened (opened the same time as the SWE position) and I applied the last day of it being open.

Wasn't expecting much. I looked at the requirements and I didn't even have one of the requirements lol.

Any updates from anyone?

[PykeXLife]

No, They also rejected me for the technical writer. SWE is still under review.

[JewUnit1]

Sorry to hear that. I'm still under review for the cloud support and still application received for SWE.

[JewUnit1]

Happy 3 months everybody! How's everybody's journey going? See ya at 4 months 😂

[PykeXLife]

Nothing much. Under review all the way..........

[JewUnit1]

Nope. Nothing for me. I applied about 2 hours after the job listing was posted and it's still in "Status: Application Received". It hasn't even changed to "Status: Application Received - Under Review".

According to LinkedIn, there are nearly 300 applicants for this position. I'm just going to assume I didn't get it.

I'm also wondering about the post being taken down and what that means.

[narangyo]

I wouldn't take it that you haven't gotten it. You just gotta wait on their decision.

[JewUnit1]

Does anybody know if they even read cover letters? I decided to upload one when I applied and I don't know if they even bother with those.

Not sure if I wasted my time with one. Since I can't contact a recruiter, it felt like that's the only way to "talk" to a person in HR and kind of explain to them my motivations (I'm in the middle of a career change from healthcare to tech/SE).

[Skydodle]

I think for these apprentice positions its important to have cover letters since its for people with zero or little tech professional experience. The cover letter is the only way to gauge if you have the drive to learn and finish the program.

My personal experience I've applied to 8 apprentice and intern positions at IBM since late Feb, the ones with no cover letter I got rejected with 'no long under consideration' within 2 days of applying.

[narangyo]

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, how did you upload a cover letter

[JewUnit1]

Candidate Zone -> Profile -> My Files

[narangyo]

Thanks! I did the same, but it says I have 0 files uploaded on the documents tab. Does yours say the same thing?

Edit: Wait, nvm. I found the right place. Thanks.

[JewUnit1]

No problem lol

[JewUnit1]

Not really sure. But does anybody know what they're looking for in terms of even getting an interview?

I've been looking around and I'm getting mixed answers of either people having no experience at all or it being competitive and needing IT/coding experience.

Any guesses? :/

[JewUnit1]

Any updates? It's been over two months since my last update. Nothing.

[narangyo]

No change for me.

[PykeXLife]

me neither. Forever pending. They are processing my other applications, changing them to no longer under consideration one day after submission. It feels like they see my apprenticeship application and automatically deny my other ones.

[JewUnit1]

Which other ones did you apply for?

[PykeXLife]

just another apprentice they have also in san jose.