Six Months of Job Hunting: A Retrospective
I've been on the market for half a year now. Here's what I've learned, what worked, and what didn't.
The Numbers
Six months in:
- **Applications sent**: 124
- **Automated rejections**: 67
- **Recruiter screens**: 18
- **Technical interviews**: 9
- **Final rounds**: 3
- **Offers**: 0
Yeah. It's been rough.
What Didn't Work
Spray and Pray
Early on, I applied to everything. LinkedIn Easy Apply, job boards, company sites. Volume over quality.
Result: Mostly automated rejections. No personalization = no callbacks.
Over-Preparing for LeetCode
I spent 6 weeks grinding LeetCode. Most interviews? Didn't even ask algorithm questions. The ones that did asked problems I hadn't practiced.
Relying on Recruiters
External recruiters sound helpful but often:
- Ghost you after initial contact
- Submit you to jobs you're not interested in
- Have outdated salary info
What Helped
Building in Public
My blog posts and GitHub activity gave me things to talk about. Interviewers asked about my projects. That's way better than hypotheticals.
Community
The Coder Life Discord has been a lifeline. Just knowing others are going through the same thing helps. Plus, leads get shared.
Targeted Applications
Quality over quantity. Research the company, personalize the cover letter (when allowed), apply to roles that actually fit.
10 thoughtful applications > 50 spray-and-pray
Taking Breaks
Burnout is real. Some weeks I didn't apply at all. That's okay. This is a marathon.
What I Wish I Knew
1. **The market is cyclical** - It will improve 2. **Rejection isn't personal** - They get hundreds of apps 3. **Your worth isn't your job status** - Easier said than felt 4. **Keep building** - Skills don't expire because you're unemployed
Moving Forward
I'm still looking. Still building. Still learning.
If you're in the same boat, hang in there. And come say hi in the Discord - we're all in this together.