From 6 Months Unemployed to 2 Offers: What I Learned

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their journey navigating the competitive tech job market, detailing the ups and downs of interviewing and job searching. They emphasize the importance of persistence, self-improvement, and learning from failures, while reflecting on personal experiences with algorithmic coding, project-building, and feedback. Highlighting the importance of building practical skills, they explain how mindset shifts, such as adopting an 'infinite game' approach, helped them grow. The video offers insights on handling rejections, knowing when to reject bad opportunities, and how to stay motivated in the pursuit of a tech job in today's challenging market.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace failure as a learning opportunity and reflect on what can be improved from each experience.
• 😀 Feedback from recruiters and interviewers is valuable—seek it out to help refine your approach and boost confidence.
• 😀 Building practical experience through projects, like app development, is more impactful than just practicing coding challenges.
• 😀 The journey to a successful job offer involves a mental shift—don't rely solely on past experience or algorithms; push yourself further.
• 😀 Trust your instincts when rejecting offers—don't settle for bad terms even if you're in need of a job.
• 😀 Persistence is key: continue applying, learning, and improving even after facing setbacks and rejections.
• 😀 Be proactive and create opportunities for yourself, especially when faced with challenges in the job market.
• 😀 The job search is not only about getting a job, but also about determining what kind of opportunity is right for you.
• 😀 The job market in tech is highly competitive, and success requires not just skills, but also strategic thinking and preparation.
• 😀 Technical interviews are only one part of the process—real-world experience, like building systems or apps, is equally important in landing a job.

Q & A

What role did feedback play in the speaker's job search journey?

Feedback was crucial for the speaker's growth. They mention how receiving constructive feedback after interviews, especially when they weren't successful, helped them improve. It provided them with valuable insights into areas they could work on, which ultimately boosted their confidence and motivated them to continue applying.

How did the speaker's mindset evolve throughout the job search process?

The speaker's mindset evolved from initially relying on their experience and feeling entitled to offers, to recognizing the importance of continuous improvement. They adopted a growth mindset, learning from failures and pushing themselves to take ownership of their career, which included personal projects and deeper technical preparation.

What role did self-projects play in the speaker's interview preparation?

Self-projects played a significant role in the speaker's interview preparation. They highlighted that building something from scratch, such as an app, provided real-world problem-solving experience that helped them succeed in interviews, especially for positions like GoLang developer. This hands-on experience gave them confidence during technical interviews.

Why does the speaker suggest that algorithmic coding practice is important, despite some of its frustrations?

The speaker emphasizes that while algorithmic coding practice can be frustrating, it is essential because it helps sharpen problem-solving skills and boosts confidence. They suggest that struggling with coding problems helps you understand how you think, and it's important to push through challenges to improve your approach to technical problems.

How did the speaker handle the pressure of applying to numerous companies?

The speaker faced the challenge of applying to over 350 companies, dealing with rejections and maintaining resilience. They shared that the pressure was alleviated by setting a routine, working on skills daily, and adjusting their mindset to view the process as a way to refine their abilities rather than focusing solely on outcomes.

What lessons did the speaker learn from being overleveled for junior roles and underleveled for senior roles?

The speaker learned that finding the right fit was tricky, as they were often overqualified for junior roles but lacked the experience or specific expertise required for senior positions. They noted that mid-level roles were often ambiguous, which made it harder to target the right opportunities.

What was the speaker’s approach to handling job offers and contract terms?

The speaker reflected on the importance of knowing when to reject a bad opportunity, even if it meant risking being unemployed. They mentioned a situation where they turned down a contracting offer due to unfavorable terms, as they believed it was better to wait for a better opportunity rather than settling for something that didn’t meet their needs.

What did the speaker mean by 'hiring yourself'?

By 'hiring yourself,' the speaker meant taking control of their own career progression, especially in the absence of immediate job offers. They saw it as an opportunity to create their own projects, learn new skills, and develop a portfolio that would eventually make them more marketable to potential employers.

How did the speaker balance their job search with their financial situation?

The speaker acknowledged the privilege of having savings as a buffer while unemployed, which gave them the freedom to take their time with the job search. They also noted that it can be harder for people without financial safety nets, as taking time off to interview for positions can be financially burdensome.

What advice did the speaker offer to others navigating the tech job market?

The speaker advised others to take agency in their job search by preparing thoroughly for interviews, practicing coding problems, and building personal projects. They emphasized that talent alone isn’t enough and that hard work and persistence are key. Additionally, they encouraged job seekers to trust their instincts when evaluating opportunities and not settle for bad terms.