There’s something oddly humbling about clicking “Apply” on a junior developer role and seeing that delightful little note:
“100+ applicants.”
Oh good, I love a challenge. Said no one ever while competing with an army of hopefuls all battling for the same entry-level badge.
This week, I’m stepping off our usual blog schedule to reflect on something that’s been on my mind lately: the uphill battle of breaking into the tech industry when everyone and their algorithms seem to be ahead of you.
The Queue at the Door
Every junior, graduate or entry-level tech job I find seems to be hosting a small applicant festival. Whether it’s web development, front-end, back-end, or full-stack, it’s always the same: lots of enthusiasm, not enough chairs.
Post-pandemic, the job market shifted. People with experience found themselves laid off, and naturally, they started applying for roles one rung lower than before. At the same time, a tidal wave of new talent (yes, including myself) emerged from bootcamps, self-study, and university courses, eager to make their mark.
Suddenly, that “entry-level” tag became a bit of a myth, like Bigfoot, or a coffee machine that doesn’t leak.
Enter the Machines
Let’s not forget the growing presence of AI tools. While they can be helpful, they’ve also shifted the landscape. Companies are questioning how many devs they really need, and what tasks can be “prompt engineered” into existence instead.
It adds another flavour to the already spicy stew of competition. But those of us willing to understand, adapt, and use these tools smartly will have an edge over those who don’t. The game may have changed, but there’s still room to win it.
Nearing a Turning Point
Personally, I’m approaching a big milestone: the final year of my university degree. That magical time when those elusive “graduate” jobs start to open their gates. It’s a decisive chapter in my career change journey, one I’ve worked incredibly hard for, balancing family life, a day job, studies, and a healthy amount of coffee.
I’m still applying for roles. Still putting myself out there. Still getting ghosted by job ads that claimed they were “excited to hear from passionate life-long learners.”
But Hope Isn’t a Strategy (So I’m Also Working Hard)
I’m not here to just moan. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I chose this path knowing I’d have to prove myself more than once. So I keep learning, building, writing this blog, refining my portfolio, and being active in the community. Hope is the spark, but hard work is the fuel.
And honestly, I’m proud of that. I might not be through the door yet, but I’ve knocked. Loudly. Repeatedly. With increasingly better-looking CVs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re also trying to get in, feeling discouraged or burnt out, I get it. It’s tough out there. But keep going. Keep learning. Keep improving.
Our time will come, and when it does, we’ll be more than ready.
Next time, we’ll jump back into the Java OOP saga with abstraction: that mystical art of telling your code, “Don’t worry about how, just know that it works.”
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