Job Hunt: Persistence and Failure

Overview

As I embarked on my job-hunting journey, I cultivated a determined mental attitude centered around the goal of securing my first job in a positive learning environment. To combat nervousness and enhance my prospects, I implemented daily preparation as I discussed in my previous two blog posts. However, they did not shield me from doubts when faced with disappointment. Handling these situations was challenging, especially since my family's well-being relied on my success. In this post, I will address my fear of failure, share how I managed to overcome rejections, and explain how I transformed to become a resilient individual when faced with unpleasant circumstances.

Fear of failure

When I received my first interview invitation, I was filled with both excitement and nervousness. However, due to my lack of preparation, I went into it unprepared and ultimately got denied employment. As I continued to receive more rejections, I became increasingly disheartened, and these experiences fueled my doubts. Thoughts such as "Maybe software development wasn't for me" and "Who are you trying to fool with your lack of skills?" consumed me as they fueled my imposter syndrome. I took each denial personally, using them as confirmation that I lacked the ability to become a software developer. All my failures weighed heavily on me as I faced time and financial pressures. The livelihood of my family hinged on my success, otherwise, I would become an additional burden to support.

Overcoming rejections

My initial interviews served as a valuable introduction to the hiring process. The biggest challenge I encountered was overcoming rejections and transforming my mindset toward them. Denials were particularly distressing, especially during and after interviews. This was because I was clothed with fear due to the scarcity of interviews and the constraints of time and money. Moreover, this mindset fueled my anxiety, leading to a sense of desperation and doubt.

It took a series of automated rejection messages to realize that they were generic templates, not tailored to my specific skills or character. Eventually, I started treating them as insignificant junk mail, not even bothering to read them. This realization allowed me to understand that they were not a reflection of my personal worth or abilities.

To break free from this detrimental mentality, I had to reflect on my goals and rediscover the reasons why I aspired to become a software developer. Daily reminders became essential, as it was all too easy to forget them whenever I faced setbacks. In order to improve my approach to interviews, I dedicated myself to gaining more practice and experience. Additionally, I worked on developing a growth attitude, embracing the idea that each rejection was an opportunity for growth and learning.

Getting more practice

To overcome rejection, I realized that the best approach was to expose myself to even more defeats. Initially, I often felt overwhelmed by fear when applying for job postings. Many of these postings set unrealistic expectations for a junior role, including excessive responsibilities, required years of experience, and an extensive list of technology proficiencies.

Through research, I discovered that it was possible to be hired for positions I was not fully qualified for. This was because some hiring managers did not have a clear idea of the exact candidate they were seeking. They may have added extra years of experience to filter out applicants that lacked confidence in their abilities. Reflecting on my reactions to job posts where I was significantly underqualified, I admitted my initial response was to ignore such listings. I identified that many other applicants felt the same way, which likely resulted in less competition for these roles.

In order to increase my chances of securing interviews, I made the decision to apply for all programming-related roles that required less than five years of experience or did not specifically require a senior developer. I no longer restricted myself to specific areas like front-end, back-end, or full-stack development. This broader approach opened up more opportunities for interviews, albeit accompanied by more rejections. However, every time I was turned down, the pain associated with them diminished.

I determined the only thing I needed to prove and demonstrate was my ability to learn new technologies quickly. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to utilize my foundational knowledge in the Software Development Mastery Program to learn C# after JavaScript, along with other technologies, in a short period of time. This gave me confidence, as I understood that I could leverage my aptitude for rapid learning despite any gaps in my knowledge.

Growth mentality

After implementing my new strategy, I started receiving a higher volume of interview opportunities compared to before. The next aspect I focused on was developing a growth mentality. I transformed my approach in interviews, shifting from a desperate mindset of "I don't have a lot of opportunities, this job is my only option" to "If I won't be hired here, this will be a great learning experience to make the next one easier".

To facilitate this shift, I made it a habit to carry a notepad during every interview. I diligently recorded all the questions I had for the interviewer, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the company. Simultaneously, I noted down all the questions I was asked, as well as any questions I struggled to answer. After each interview, I actively sought feedback on how I could improve myself.

I conducted thorough research to supplement my preparation and incorporated new concepts into my daily practice. I challenged myself by asking how each question applied to my portfolio, thus giving me a deeper understanding of my projects. This approach proved beneficial in filling any gaps I might have had in my self-taught programming fundamentals. By adopting this growth mentality and incorporating research into my practice, I was able to enhance my learning and progress despite setbacks. Each interview became an opportunity for growth, propelling me forward on my journey toward securing a job as a software developer.

Believing in myself

The journey was challenging and extended beyond my initial expectations. However, I kept believing in the possibility of success, drawing inspiration from countless self-taught developers who had overcome even more challenging circumstances. As I persevered through adversity, not only did I build resilience, but I also expanded my knowledge. Despite the arduous nature of the process, I remained determined and focused on achieving my goal. I knew for every no I received, I was getting closer to that yes.

Lesson

Every failure and rejection holds a valuable lesson waiting to be discovered and learned. It's crucial not to take rejections personally but rather view them as stepping stones that bring you closer to your goal. Even when the journey takes longer than expected, it's important to continually remind yourself why this goal is significant and maintain an unwavering belief in your abilities. Trust in yourself and your capabilities because, without a doubt, you have the potential to succeed.

Thank you for reading. If you believe my story will benefit someone who's attempting to make a change please share this post. Feel free to contact me, I would love to hear from you. Please subscribe if you'd like to stay up to date and receive emails when new content is published.