Looking for a Job Is Tough

It’s insanely tough. I’m currently searching.

For context - I’ve made 4 personal projects that currently have over 1000+ daily active users (numbers are ~1500, ~6000, ~14,000, and ~430,000) all created within the span of the last year. I’ve also sold software.

On top of all that, I have an Engineering degree, 4 years experience, no breaks in employment, study on my afternoons and weekends (C, Go, C#) and take extra university courses, and have some other high level achievements/recognition.

I apply for Intermediate and Senior positions.

So far I have 3 interviews lined up out of ~30-40 applications. About 10 rejections so far. 1 of those jobs is actually decent, the other 2 are desperation applications.

It’s brutal. I’m trying my absolute best, I don’t see how people that have been coasting have any chance.

You should be able to coast a bit in life.

I’m sad at the state of things, and sad for people trying to stay in the industry or break into the industry.

Makes me want to become a gardener

This is why I’ve given up on software. I loved it, made side projects in college, got my computer science degree, worked for a couple years and then got laid off early in 2023. It’s been a year and a half and I still can not find a new job. I have not coded in god knows how long, I don’t find it enjoyable anymore. In fact I almost despise it. I’ve decided to join the military instead.