This is an important topic that I feel like should be talked about and discussed at every level but more so for the entry-level or junior roles.
I started my tech journey not too long ago and I've come very far and achieved a lot of things I never thought in a million years that I would which I am incredibly proud of and happy.
When it comes to actually applying for a job, getting an interview or even further down in the hiring process, it hasn't been easy. In fact, it's made me question my whole tech journey a few times.
Searching for a job is a job in itself, combine that with entry-level or junior roles that don't come often and those that do are asking for 1-2 years of experience and you start to wonder whether you'll ever get your foot into the door. It's incredibly disheartening and as someone who suffers from anxiety, it just adds fuel to the firepits of anxiety.
I know that it's just a reality of the industry but for me, I don't 100% agree or accept it. It shouldn't be. It shouldn't be the case that entry-level jobs require you 1-2 years of experience and to know a bunch of languages and they pay you like £15k to £18k only as well.
I'm writing this cause I want others to share how hard it's been on them, how have they coped with their journey and what's made them continue to stick it out? I think by sharing our stories, worries and fears, we can move forward, really progress and make a huge difference to this industry!
Top comments (15)
Looking for work is such an exhausting and stressful process. There is so much back and forth between companies and recruiters. Sometimes you get ghosted leaving you with no feedback. Or they send you a generic rejection email that has no information and does not help you at all. It is well known that the tech interview process is broken. There are far too many stages and a very long waiting process.
Completely agree! Just got ghosted this week as a recruiter reached out for a job I applied and said let's have a chat, I gave my time and dates and absolutely no response, its been a few days now
The rejection emails are very much we are moving forward without you. No reason why or explanation really.
So yeah - absolutely dislike it. But have to remain positive, be optimistic and hope for the best
Hate when the happens! I think a big part of the problem is that some recruiters just send out a generic message/email to dozens of candidates. So you think you are just one of a few being shortlisted when in fact they are talking to hundreds of candidates. Its easy to spot a spam message on LinkedIn though if you put a emoticon in front of your name and then you get a message that is like...
"Hi 💻 Andrew,
Hope you're well,
I am working with a Government Team who are upgrading their flagship website and need a frontend developer to join the small team."
If it was genuine and personal then there would be no emoticon 😂
Haha the thing is it was sent to my email - and looked very much directed at me, but I guess it makes sense that they are sending out to a list of people. It's just very hard mentally and very frustrating and annoying
Hi A,
Interesting, that you say the interview process is broken. What would you change if you could?
Ghosting is forbidden everyone gets constructive feedback. Data structures and algorithms tests are not a make or break requirement for employment. And give the candidate a take home challenge and let them use their preferred tech stack so you can see them at their best.
Hi Furgie,
Job searching nowadays can be like slogging through the mud.
Putting on my Statistician hat on for a moment. If I had to determine where the variability comes from, the most significant proportion has to go to the pandemic. This freakish-whirlpool attracts so many other things into its orbit. The pandemic has caused so many layoffs, which has made the number of people looking increase, causing a glut of talent worldwide, causing the pay rates to drop...
Shall I go on?
One thing I tell myself is, 'Nothing lasts forever.' This may seem fatalistic on the surface but can be comforting too.
Feeling, describing, and analyzing our surroundings in good and bad times is a fantastic thing. The examined life is well worth living. ;))
I think Socrates or Plato said something to that effect. lol
Beautifully said and written! Really appreciate this very logical and positive spin on what seems like a never ending job search and a lot of heartache! Really and truly appreciate it, means a lot!
I couldn’t agree more with this. I recently had to step back from social media and all job search related stuff. I was losing it mentally and just spiraling into a depression. Between being ghosted and getting no feedback from phone interviews even when asking. The process is truly broken. Especially at the junior level. I could understand at the mid to senior level throwing some algorithm expectations if that applies to the position. From what I have seen and gotten from developers and engineers I have reached out to, algorithms were weighed heavily in their interview and then their role has absolutely no need for algorithms. The hiring process for tech needs a complete overhaul and a set standard for each level with only tech stack specific questions relating to a position added if need be. Companies want senior developers but won’t put any effort into making a junior or mid level into a senior for their company. It’s sad to see so many talented junior level developers get shunned because of lack of experience. Truly hurts.
Sending you all the love and positivity!
Perfectly said, definitely hurts and the whole process needs an overhaul. The lack of hiring opportunities for junior roles as well as traineeship for them is very hard on people who so badly want to get into the industry, show of their talent and just work on some amazing stuff
Well, it will be good if there is a standard procedure and a regulating body on hiring developers. However,
I just used this as a metaphor. We can't always expect for a fair play. They also have their circumstances. They are still a human, mistakes can happen. And amidst the pandemic, many people go with online proceedings. However, they are still adjusting, and the owners or managers are still in the process of making it all better.
But then, the bottom line is what you have just said.
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