Hello World!
Over the past 2 weeks, I have gone through 3 job rejections for a junior/entry-level developer in all cases going through to the final round but not receiving an offer. It is beginning to take a toll on my confidence in my abilities as a developer. Anyone who has gone through such a phase or could help with some advice and how I can improve in such situations will be greatly appreciated.
Latest comments (18)
I left my first software job because I was no longer comfortable working there and didn't have any other jobs lined up. A few people told me that was a bad idea, but the emotional stress was taking its toll on me.
During the 6 months after that I created my first portfolio site and started blogging (not really for an audience, but to prove to myself how much I know). I was also following tutorials for Vue.js since I started learning about it in my previous company and wanted to continue. By the end of that same year I was accepted to my first remote dev position (I applied by just submitting my resume and cover letter FYI) and absolutely loved the team and company. Unfortunately, I was let go recently before COVID happened (best time to look for a new job huh?). The let go had nothing to do with my work so I didn't take it too personally, but I was devastated.
Currently, I'm still applying to jobs. I will admit I'm picky on which job postings I dedicate time to applying for because there are so many that I feel are not written properly and don't make any sense to me. When I'm not looking for jobs, I'm working on more projects with the new skills I got from my second job and also embracing other hobbies when I need a break from coding.
So being in the job search for the second time now, I have to say, it gets easier. You know more than you once did and you are going to keep learning more to find a better job than you've had before.
Also, I have a friend who is in a completely different career field than me and has been looking for full-time positions since she finished grad school. The depression and self-doubt you mentioned has been a huge center of discussion I've had with her. I'm going to say the same thing to you that I say to her: you need to trust and believe things will get better. If you're willing to learn from your rejections and trust that you will eventually get a job you want, you will make things easier on yourself emotionally when you're going through this tough time.
Wow, I wrote a lot - sorry for the long read. I wish you luck Lloyd, and I hope something about my experience makes you feel better.
Just keep working on projects on the side. It takes time but more importantly perseverance. Look at job interviews as a gauge. You are close because you got to the final round. Keep grinding it out.
I'm a new dev, 3 months in on the professional full time level. It took me 2 years to get here. Once you get in, you will still feel like you don't know enough or aren't good enough. Keep grinding. It will get you there!
This reply is priceless! Most won't but there are few considerate recruiters who give useful, actionable feedback should one ask them politely. Majority will retort with excuses like employer confidentiality, generic rejection messages or worst case, no reply whatsoever.
Been in your exact shoes ~2 years ago Lloyd, so I personally can relate to the agony. Rejections are hard (no matter their number) but it's something you'd need to accept as a bitter truth. The sooner, the better otherwise it'll take a toll on your psyche like you've said.
Adding onto the insights here, I'd recommend keep on learning new things you find interesting & relevant to your career (1 at a time, though) & pace yourselves while applying.
PS: Hang onto your belief just a while more, a miracle is always around the corner.
Hi lloyd.
What's your stack?
Hi Shreyansh.
It is mostly .Net
Man, don't be sad. It happens with everyone. I hope you get a job in these days only!
Good Luck!
Think of rejections like all the iterations when you are writing your programs. Do you get things right the first time? I don't. Try to get feedback each time and improve. I have been through a lot of rejections myself but I view the situation as a two way street, if they didn't want me then probably it would not work out for me either. Fingers crossed.
Hi Lloyd,
It's totally common in the industry and I personally have been rejected many times from interview or other applications process.
In the beginning of the career it might feels like a huge disappointment and discouragement.
The key is don't give up and don't take it too personally
You will realize these are just a nano impediments across your life.
Look and think about at the bigger picture.
What is it you want to achieve in your life/career ?
Why do you want the job so badly ?
What has driven you into the software industry and want to become a developer ?
Any new project and ideas you can build on your own as learning opportunity ?
Don't let take down, i'm a senior developer and looking for a new opportunity since 10 months ago and the rejections it's something that exists and you need take strength from them to improve your abilities and take the next opportunity.
2 months ago a company gives me an offer and in the last day in my current job they tell me because the coronavirus quarantine they cant receive me and you cant just decline in all and deep in depression, is no time for that.
Last week the same happen again and again its no time for that
Only 3?
But seriously, remember that interviewing is a skill. And the more you do it, the more you get better at it.
Through meticulous research, we at B-Labs (pronounced "blabz") have calculated that your interview-fu level is the natural log of the number of failed interviews you have had, plus log2 of the number of successful interviews, multiplied by a factor based on the number of standard deviations the salary offered is from the median in your country.
That puts you at a nominal 1.09861228867, only another 6 interviews to go until you reach level 2. Keep leveling up, and perhaps you'll get to a level on par with most of the rest of us ex-rejects.
man just don't take it too seriously.
the fact that you haven't passed is just the fact that somebody has sold himself a bit better, it's a market.
it does not mean that you are a bed dev, just keep going, maybe rejected positions lead you to the best one.
I have got 5-7 rejected vacancies last 3 months, but I have found a new way - freelance.
I'm really happy to have such an experience and I'm free of that all corporate stuff.