Getting Hired in Bolt, Student Stories, and AI’s Influence on Tech Jobs – kood/Cast episode 5

In the latest kood/Cast episode, we dive into some of the most pressing topics in tech today: breaking into the job market, what makes coding school grads stand out, and whether artificial intelligence will replace developers. Spoiler: it won’t.

Meet Kristina from Bolt –  Learn what recruiters are actually looking for

Kristina Korobova, Technical Recruiter at Bolt, joins the podcast to share what it takes to land a job at one of Estonia’s top tech companies. With over 4,000 employees worldwide and 200+ open positions, Bolt is constantly scouting new talent.

How to get hired in tech? 

• Real-world projects trump theory. That’s one reason Bolt regularly hires from kood/Jõhvi. Hands-on, real project experience makes them strong junior candidates.
• Life experience counts. A background in customer service, healthcare, or even psychology can be a plus—if you can connect the dots.
• Soft skills matter. Curiosity, clarity, and structure during interviews are key. And yes, practice helps.
• Get noticed: Practise storytelling, tailor your application, and prepare for questions like: “What’s not on your CV?”
• Be memorable. Recruiters interview dozens weekly, so make your enthusiasm and energy stick.

Bonus tip: don’t write a novel in your CV. Two pages max. Use LinkedIn for everything else.

AI won’t replace junior devs (yet): But it will amplify the value of critical thinking, communication, and adaptability.

Student Voices: Kati and Sören on changing careers and learning to code

The episode also features two //kood students – Kati and Sören – who’ve made career pivots into tech. Kati, a GIS specialist, and Sören, a former psychologist turned UX enthusiast, share the highs and lows of learning to code.

Key takeaways:

• Self-doubt is normal. But so is growing confidence.
• Motivation comes from community. Having teammates and study buddies makes a huge difference.
• Flexibility is key. Both remote and hybrid models work when you have structure and routine.
• You don’t need to fit a stereotype. Coding is for anyone who enjoys problem-solving and learning.

AI and the future of tech jobs – what the experts say

The episode closes with highlights from a panel at the kood/JobFair, where experts from SEB, Swedbank, Omniva, and Pipedrive discuss AI’s impact on hiring.

Main insights:

• AI is changing how companies screen and find candidates
• Developers need to understand how to use AI, not fear it.
• Skills that will always matter: logic, critical thinking, and clear communication.
• Beware of AI’s hallucinations—trust, but verify your tools.
• Ethics and data literacy are emerging as must-have competencies.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube and Spotify

Curious to join kood/Jõhvi? Learn more and apply: study.kood.tech