Hello and welcome! Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Speak_.
If you’re ready to accept full-time or internship job offers, apply to join the Tech Interview Prep course:
What is Speak_?
Speak_ exists to connect underrepresented talent to the job opportunities they deserve.
Through content, community, and events, we give software engineers access to networks and knowledge. We offer 100% free resources, including cohort-based courses, to help prepare candidates for the interview process at top tech companies that value diversity.
The job search process can be lonely and stressful, but it doesn't have to be. What if you could practice with peers and get the exact help you need to perform well in tech interviews? What if it were a collaborative experience with personalized support? What if you actually got value from interviews, whether you get an offer or not? That's the world Speak_ is creating!
We believe there's not a lack of information online, but it can be hard to know what's important and to learn and improve on your own. Our courses are designed to be a social, curated experience to prepare you to ace the interview and thrive in your first or next role.
We have 2 kinds of courses:
Tech Interview Prep.)Speak_ Roblox.)How do I enroll in a Speak_ course?
You can apply anytime to be considered for upcoming Tech Interview Prep course cohorts. Apply now!
All employer courses are invite-only.
Who can join the Tech Interview Prep course?
Anyone who is ready to accept a full-time or internship job offer is welcome to join the Speak_ Tech Interview Prep course. Just apply and you’ll be invited to the next cohort.
How can I get invited to an employer course?
Candidates who participate in the Tech Interview Prep course and complete a Speak_ resume (a specifically-formatted resume we share with our employer partners) and take a practice coding assessment will be added to our talent base.
Once you’re in our talent base, we’ll try to match you with job opportunities available now and in the future. We’ll email you to see if you’re interested, and if the employer wants to get to know you further, you’ll be invited to join a specific employer course to prepare for their exact interview process.
There’s no timeline for this because the job market changes quickly. Employers one day need a specific role filled and the next day it’s been filled. Even criteria for one role can change based on a hiring manager’s request or some other factor within a company.
We add new partners every month, so we continue to try to find opportunities for you even after you’ve completed a course.
We can’t guarantee you’ll be invited to an employer course. We wish we could guarantee jobs, but that’s not something anyone anywhere has figured out yet. 😅
If I submit an application on the Speak_ website, am I applying for a job at Speak_?
No. Submitting an application means you’re applying to join our talent base for the possibility of getting matched with one of our partner companies and, optionally, getting invited to upcoming courses.
How long are the courses?
The Speak_ Tech Interview Prep course is 2 weeks long. You’ll need to put more or less hours depending on your level of proficiency.
Employer courses map onto the exact interview process for each employer. They might be 1 week long or over a month.
How often do your courses happen?
We run 2 Tech Interview Prep course cohorts a month. The first cohort of the month starts on the first Wednesday of the month.
Employer courses are rolling based on when candidates are invited to join.
What is the format for the training?
Speak_ courses consist of:
What programming languages/technologies are taught in courses?
It’s important for you to know that Speak_ does not teach you how to code. We’re not a bootcamp. We provide training that helps you sharpen your existing skills and prepare for tech interviews.
You can participate in the Tech Interview Prep course using any programming language of your choice.
Some employer courses will help you warm up your proficiency with technologies like API frameworks, Google Cloud Platform, AWS, Jest, Express.js, Android Studio...it’s based completely on the employer and role you’re interviewing for. Whatever is needed in the interview, we want to make sure you’re prepared.
Is the Tech Interview Prep course specific to certain jobs?
This course covers pretty much any tech interview. But, we specialize in helping candidates prepare for interviews for these roles:
What is the time commitment for candidates?
Tech Interview Prep course participants should expect to dedicate at least 6 hours per week to a course.
For employer courses, we recommend a minimum of 4 hours per week, but the more you put into the experience, the more you’ll get from it!
How much do Speak_ courses cost?
Nothing! Everything we offer is completely free for candidates. No strings attached. The only thing we ask of you is to actively participate in our community and help others grow and learn. 🖤
Do I have to sign a contract or ISA (income sharing agreement) to enroll?
Nope! No contracts - just your commitment to engaging in the course and giving it your all from start to interview!
Can Speak_ help me find an internship to satisfy graduation requirements?
While we do plan to add more, we’re just getting started with adding internship opportunities, so it’s best that you look to Speak_ only to help you prepare for your internship tech interviews and not to find new internship roles.
I don’t have a Computer Science or related degree. Can I still apply?
Absolutely, yes! We often have access to job opportunities with our partner companies that do not require a specific degree.
Can people outside the United States join a Speak_ course?
Yep! All are welcome. Our partner companies have roles open for candidates in countries outside the US. Those opportunities change monthly.
Please note that our live cohort events happen at 5pm PT / 8pm ET, which might be inconvenient for people in certain time zones. All events are recorded so that cohort participants who couldn’t attend can still get access to all the content.
Will I get hired if I complete an employer course?
That would be so cool, but, no. There’s no guarantee you’ll get an offer. You will be more prepared for your interviews, and therefore more likely to get hired. We guarantee that you’ll be seen and reviewed by any companies we refer you to. Beyond that, it’s up to you and your potential employer. 🔮
Who are your employer partners?
They vary every month. Check the monthly cohort invites to apply for a list of companies participating in that month’s course.
Can I participate in multiple Tech Interview Prep course cohorts?
Not at this time. We have hundreds of candidates participating each month, and we don't have the resources to provide a high-quality experience indefinitely to each candidate.
Also, we’ve found that it's not serving anyone well for you to repeat a skill-sharpening program if what you really need is to go learn skills. That might mean joining a bootcamp or studying up on the skills where you need to improve.
Participants retain access to all courses and can recreate their own cohort-like experience by pairing up with others in the community at any time. We'll keep adding features to facilitate your ongoing support post-program.
Candidates who let us know they can’t continue in a cohort they are enrolled in can defer to a future cohort. Let us know before your cohort ends!
How does Speak_ make money? Is it a non-profit?
While we do have a big social impact mission (to eliminate underrepresentation within tech), Speak_ is a for-profit company. We get paid by employers for connecting them with awesome candidates. It’s a win-win-win, right?!
Can I refer people to join Speak_?
Heck yes! Send them to speak.careers to apply. 😎
How long is the Tech Interview Prep course, what is the time commitment?
2 weeks long. We expect participants to dedicate around 6 hours per week to the course. You will need to put more or less hours depending on your level of proficiency with the topics covered.
What is the format?
The course includes:
How do I know what to do and what’s happening when?
There are 4 tools: the cohort handbook, cohort calendar, and discord.
Do I have to attend the live events?
The more you put into the course, the more you’ll get out of it! If you want to fully complete the course, yes. If you can’t make it to an event, recordings are shared in the discord cohort channel the next day.
How do I access the courses?
By the day of the cohort Welcome event, you will receive an invite to join a Speak_ course on Thinkific, the platform we use to host our courses. Check your email for the link to join - it will come from [email protected].
⚠️ Don’t forget to check your spam folder if you don’t see it!
I can’t access the employer courses...why not?
Employer courses are invite-only. See the Pre-Program FAQ for more details.
What are the practice online assessments for? Are they required?
Most tech company software engineering interviews begin with a coding assessment to screen candidates. We provide you with practice assessments just like what you’ll need to pass to move forward with your interviews.
Have more questions? Join our discord and ask us there!