Writing

From Struggles to Success: My 6-Month Tech Job Hunt Journey

This was originally a LinkedIn post. You can go check out the comments there.
I was on a job hunt for six months, from February to August 2023. Let me tell you, it felt like one of the toughest times to land a job in tech (As you can see in the diagram 🥵). Before the memories of those struggles fade away, I want to share some valuable lessons I've learned along the way.

Keep learning and share your work often

Job hunting can feel like a full-time job, no question about it. But I took this period as a chance to dive into some new tools, specifically Framer and Spline. I started off just wanting to learn, but things took an unexpected yet welcome turn. Spline showcased my works in their community, and I even snagged a “Site of the Month” award from Framer 🏅
So, what's the takeaway? Don't hesitate to share your journey. When I put my work out there, people started to notice. It led to opportunities and made me a more appealing candidate. Sharing also does wonders for your confidence. You never know, your next experiment could be your next big break.

Watch out for red flags 🚩

Not every job interview is going to be awesome. Some are great, but others? Not so much. Here are some warning signs to look out for:

😍 Over-enthusiasm

If you hear, "You're the only applicant we're talking to," be cautious. I had an experience where they were all praises and quick follow-ups, only to retract the offer when I asked for extra time to decide.

🗣️ Verbal promises

Don't count on them. Another company told me it was down to me and one other candidate. They took 2.5 weeks instead of one to get back to me and then rejected me with the reason of "we want someone can come to the office regularly" while I was interviewed for a remote position

🗓️ Start date and decision time

If a job offer comes with a start date that's months away, but they want you to decide in a day or two, it's a red flag. This happened to me, and the offer was pulled when I asked for more time.

Remember, your time and skills are valuable. If something feels off, it probably is.

It's okay to doubt, just don't quit

Feeling stressed or down? You're not alone. Taking care of your mental health is crucial, so stick to routines that work for you, get some exercise, and don't forget to rest 🧖🏻‍♀️ You are gonna need those sleep to cope with all the stress you are going through. If you are feeling stuck, seek out some advice or feedback. A fresh perspective can give you new ideas and keep you moving forward.

🔚 Finally, remember: you're likely to face more rejections than offers, and that's totally normal. Rejection is part of the job hunt, not a sign that you're failing. And perhaps, adopt a little “their loss” attitude can go a long way. Keep pushing; your moment is coming✨

The idea of putting job searching data into the sankey diagram is totally inspired by Emilie Mazurek, all credits to her 🙏🏻

Writing

From Struggles to Success: My 6-Month Tech Job Hunt Journey

This was originally a LinkedIn post. You can go check out the comments there.
I was on a job hunt for six months, from February to August 2023. Let me tell you, it felt like one of the toughest times to land a job in tech (As you can see in the diagram 🥵). Before the memories of those struggles fade away, I want to share some valuable lessons I've learned along the way.

Keep learning and share your work often

Job hunting can feel like a full-time job, no question about it. But I took this period as a chance to dive into some new tools, specifically Framer and Spline. I started off just wanting to learn, but things took an unexpected yet welcome turn. Spline showcased my works in their community, and I even snagged a “Site of the Month” award from Framer 🏅
So, what's the takeaway? Don't hesitate to share your journey. When I put my work out there, people started to notice. It led to opportunities and made me a more appealing candidate. Sharing also does wonders for your confidence. You never know, your next experiment could be your next big break.

Watch out for red flags 🚩

Not every job interview is going to be awesome. Some are great, but others? Not so much. Here are some warning signs to look out for:

😍 Over-enthusiasm

If you hear, "You're the only applicant we're talking to," be cautious. I had an experience where they were all praises and quick follow-ups, only to retract the offer when I asked for extra time to decide.

🗣️ Verbal promises

Don't count on them. Another company told me it was down to me and one other candidate. They took 2.5 weeks instead of one to get back to me and then rejected me with the reason of "we want someone can come to the office regularly" while I was interviewed for a remote position

🗓️ Start date and decision time

If a job offer comes with a start date that's months away, but they want you to decide in a day or two, it's a red flag. This happened to me, and the offer was pulled when I asked for more time.

Remember, your time and skills are valuable. If something feels off, it probably is.

It's okay to doubt, just don't quit

Feeling stressed or down? You're not alone. Taking care of your mental health is crucial, so stick to routines that work for you, get some exercise, and don't forget to rest 🧖🏻‍♀️ You are gonna need those sleep to cope with all the stress you are going through. If you are feeling stuck, seek out some advice or feedback. A fresh perspective can give you new ideas and keep you moving forward.

🔚 Finally, remember: you're likely to face more rejections than offers, and that's totally normal. Rejection is part of the job hunt, not a sign that you're failing. And perhaps, adopt a little “their loss” attitude can go a long way. Keep pushing; your moment is coming✨

The idea of putting job searching data into the sankey diagram is totally inspired by Emilie Mazurek, all credits to her 🙏🏻

Writing

From Struggles to Success: My 6-Month Tech Job Hunt Journey

This was originally a LinkedIn post. You can go check out the comments there.
I was on a job hunt for six months, from February to August 2023. Let me tell you, it felt like one of the toughest times to land a job in tech (As you can see in the diagram 🥵). Before the memories of those struggles fade away, I want to share some valuable lessons I've learned along the way.

Keep learning and share your work often

Job hunting can feel like a full-time job, no question about it. But I took this period as a chance to dive into some new tools, specifically Framer and Spline. I started off just wanting to learn, but things took an unexpected yet welcome turn. Spline showcased my works in their community, and I even snagged a “Site of the Month” award from Framer 🏅
So, what's the takeaway? Don't hesitate to share your journey. When I put my work out there, people started to notice. It led to opportunities and made me a more appealing candidate. Sharing also does wonders for your confidence. You never know, your next experiment could be your next big break.

Watch out for red flags 🚩

Not every job interview is going to be awesome. Some are great, but others? Not so much. Here are some warning signs to look out for:

😍 Over-enthusiasm

If you hear, "You're the only applicant we're talking to," be cautious. I had an experience where they were all praises and quick follow-ups, only to retract the offer when I asked for extra time to decide.

🗣️ Verbal promises

Don't count on them. Another company told me it was down to me and one other candidate. They took 2.5 weeks instead of one to get back to me and then rejected me with the reason of "we want someone can come to the office regularly" while I was interviewed for a remote position

🗓️ Start date and decision time

If a job offer comes with a start date that's months away, but they want you to decide in a day or two, it's a red flag. This happened to me, and the offer was pulled when I asked for more time.

Remember, your time and skills are valuable. If something feels off, it probably is.

It's okay to doubt, just don't quit

Feeling stressed or down? You're not alone. Taking care of your mental health is crucial, so stick to routines that work for you, get some exercise, and don't forget to rest 🧖🏻‍♀️ You are gonna need those sleep to cope with all the stress you are going through. If you are feeling stuck, seek out some advice or feedback. A fresh perspective can give you new ideas and keep you moving forward.

🔚 Finally, remember: you're likely to face more rejections than offers, and that's totally normal. Rejection is part of the job hunt, not a sign that you're failing. And perhaps, adopt a little “their loss” attitude can go a long way. Keep pushing; your moment is coming✨

The idea of putting job searching data into the sankey diagram is totally inspired by Emilie Mazurek, all credits to her 🙏🏻