The Cold Application Approach Is DEAD For Developers

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Video Description:
I answered an aspiring developer's question:
"In late 2022, I decided to get into SE to become a front end dev and decided to join an in-person bootcamp in 2023 to accelerate my learning. Choosing the bootcamp route over traditional schooling seemed like a quicker path into the field, especially since I'd already been self-studying beforehand. While the bootcamp experience was great, it left me feeling underprepared in key areas like Javascript, with the curriculum heavily focused on React. I earned a certificate and made my portfolio site to host my projects, but landing my first job has proven to be an uphill battle. I've been applying weekly for about 8 months now, even to listings I wasn’t ‘qualified’ for due to needing “”x amount of years of experience”” for entry level positions. I’ve spent the past half year studying Javascript to make up for the lack of JS in my bootcamp, and am still submitting applications almost daily. The 8 months and counting pursuit of an entry-level position across various job titles-front end dev, graphic design, UI engineer etc-has resulted in less than a dozen rejections, which at this point, I'm looking forward to since it’s better than hearing nothing at all. Soon, I won't be able to hold out financially, and I’ll have to find a full time job and inevitably run out of time in my personal life to code at all which is frustrating and heartbreaking, since I’ve grown to love coding, especially designing and building components and sites. TLDR; I’m just trying to get into my first position. I don't care if it’s writing HTML or CSS, hell at this point, I’ll do coffee runs for developers if it means I can actually get into a company. It has probably never been a worse time to get into software engineering, and I find myself actively telling younger family members who ask about it to go for something ‘more stable’ when ironically, was the sentiment I received when inquiring about software engineering.. This WAS the ‘stable’ career, until it wasn’t. I’m desperate for any advice on what to do at this point, maybe even going back to school if it betters my chances!"

[@romanvandersar2134]

Honestly I think getting Daily Active users in your sideproject is harder than finding a tech role lol

[@timalk2097]

Much much harder, if you're able to do it why bother getting a job ?

[@firasrabaia]

Doesn't need to active paying users.

[@tristangruener9571]

yea this is way harder... it shouldn't really be the goal honestly. Unless you make an app that goes viral and gets users I don't know how anybody can get users for a new solo web app these days

[@alegwartney1962]

@@timalk2097 Ye eaxatly...... So sick of this BS advice people keep shoving.... I shouldnt have to make a business just to get a freaking job....

[@shadyheadstash]

19:27 "You should be applying for positions that are in the same industry as the problems that you solve in your personal projects" Thank you for the reminder.

[@DonTheDeveloper]

This strategy is highly underrated!

[@UvstudioCaToronto]

A self taught dev friend of mine just quit looking for a dev job and went into the trades. He is so much happier now.

[@TheSoulCrisis]

Good.....market is flooded right now!! I hope he'll have a booming trade career. :)

[@turonturon8301]

It is easier to blame everything else and procrastinate than actually put hard work in and dedicate time, it is not only in this industry that is in every aspect of our lives

[@mistersir3185]

How can we network with people? I couldn't connect or network with anybody while I was attending college. Now that I am out of college, I regret not talking to enough people or putting myself out there. when I approach people and try to build a connection with them I really don't know what to say or do without coming off as selfish or needy. I get this feeling that some people know why you're trying to network with them. Yes, I want to break into tech, but I also want to expand my social circle. Unfortunately I've met a lot of people in college who just know how to take and not give. I was there for those that needed help or something from me, but when I needed it I met with a lot of rejections and hesitation. This almost gives me PTSD now when I try to approach somebody new and get to know them or just have a chat...

[@GhidBase]

In my experience, networking is extremely important. However, it's best to also operate under the assumption that you will be getting no help from anybody but yourself, not even your closest friends. Not that you should think that people won't help you, but so that way any help you do get puts you ahead of where you planned to be, and if you are ever faced with not getting help you thought you would get, it doesn't hold you back because you weren't relying on them. This also has the added affect of making people feel like you aren't being selfish or needy, rather like you're an extremely driven person worth having around.

[@DonTheDeveloper]

Hope this helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGOWamSPmZapnKM

[@Nokoredev]

I keep my first coded project to see how far I came, and much I still want to know. I start the morning with a project. This is so nice to hear💪🏾💪🏾

[@LukeAvedon]

Call Recruiters peeps. Too much noise with the job postings. They know what is actually going on at companies.

[@prico3358]

They keep telling us to build projects, its starting to sound like a buzzword. What do you mean? Where are your projects? You would imagine with how many projects youtubers say they do, we would be living in cyberpunk already.

[@curtmastor]

It’s a buzzword much of the time but projects can mean anything from a simple calculator to a legit e commerce site. Almost always it’s things like To-Do Apps. The number of people who have single hand idly built anything approaching a full scale app by themselves is tiny even amongst working devs.

[@avarise5607]

I'll tell you a secret. When building portfolio projects, it is not just about the end result itself. Documentation, good commit history, knowledge of build systems, these thing are as valuable as a project itself

[@prico3358]

@@avarise5607 but what type of project? A new idea? A new uber?

[@avarise5607]

@@prico3358 I'm no webdev, but if I were, I would focus on making something that uses some ideas from tech to deliver endproduct: maybe a meme hosting clone, or a inbrowser image editor with some filters etc. Anything that has auth + data base + bulk storage is good way to show you know how to code. Almost any platform has those elements

[@Adjust91]

Yep, pretty much. Most posts I read are “I have sent over 500 applications”. You can also guarantee none of those were even tailored to to that specific job either. I’ve started networking a lot to try get my foot in the door whilst sending tailored applications. The one thing I am struggling with though is finding projects I like that would wow an employer.. I’m a huge sports fan but i struggle finding free or cheap APIs to track things like a fantasy football team, or players stats etc..

[@Michael-te6tb]

Same here. Stuff are expensive to play around with and the employers want to see those tech.

[@cjsport1254]

I would suggest working more serious applications then sports trackers weather apps etc. Build an app you can see a company using.

[@DonTheDeveloper]

Yeah, most of those posters are just resume spammers. It makes you feel like you're making progress for the week when you bump that number up, when in reality, you're just wasting time that could have been spent towards making meaningful progress.

[@TheSoulCrisis]

That's where cover letters really come in handy too along with networking.....employers love to see specific interests, quirks, and strengths! Flooding the sea of resumes with generic applications means no one knows what makes you stand out. It's important to tie your interests, strengths, skills, and past experience into the current issues that the company is facing (then leverage it to negotiate with said companies).

[@magicianLogician]

homie, ur trying to get a job. you don't do things for fun anymore. like someone else said, make apps that have real-world applications.

[@jaaguitar]

Don't expect to do ALL the tips. Even senior devs wouldn't manage that.

[@TheGreatOne93]

Facts

[@mamun001]

Thank you for all your advice

[@haribk8433]

Thanks a lot 🙏

[@PaulMucci]

Thanks!

[@DonTheDeveloper]

Thanks for the support!

[@cjsport1254]

I think it’s more about building complex projects before networking even.

[@DonTheDeveloper]

Networking and building your self-branding as a new developer should start early.

[@Dom-zy1qy]

It's not about building complex projects before networking.

[@cjsport1254]

@@Dom-zy1qy But no one cares about you until you build something and also possess competency. I see countless aspiring programmers on Twitter tweeting about their favorite coffee. #NobodyCares #GetGoodAndThenTweet

[@yantra508]

Thank you for your no bs, cold hard facts content. It is much needed. I’m a better developer for it.

[@JorgeEscobarMX]

10:42 Look at your own code, a month ago and ask yourself; would you refactor it?, that's a good signal YOU improved as a developer.

[@Sarwaan001]

I could be an anomaly but I only cold apply and have a few offers lined up in FAANG. Have around a 9% conversion rate from applications to interview. However I am a college grad with a top streaming service on my resume.

[@savingsoulsforchrist6185]

Bro ur a sub 5 Indian ofc u do lmfaoo

[@Wraith0100]

Totally unrelated but I was the 69th like Almost reaching the end of my bootcamp, i already had experience with python and the bootcamp was to learn additional skills... I'll soon start making projects and this video was a nice guide on what I should be doing once I'm done with my bootcamp

[@DonTheDeveloper]

"Totally unrelated but I was the 69th like" Glad you could be apart of something so important. Thanks for sharing!

[@tristangruener9571]

Maybe look into getting internships just to get some experience on your resume

[@kingnick6260]

How does he not have time after working 40hrs to code? Does he have kids?

[@dibuzzz3920]

I'm surprised ppl are still hoping to get hired. As for me is time to hustle.

[@JorgeEscobarMX]

3:54 This is true, it awarded you a white bell my friend.

[@aslkdjfzxcv9779]

tech IS stable. without triggering a visceral reaction, it's those things that EFF w/ the world around you causing you (and i) grief. stay the course.

[@RatherBeCancelledThanHandled]

The paradox is those who genuinely can get consistent paying users and exit won’t need a job . Not saying this is a bad thing per say albeit a bit of a funny dynamic . Enjoyed your thoughts on this video 🫡✌️

[@cjsport1254]

I think it’s more about building complex projects before networking even.

[@TheSoulCrisis]

Nope do both at the same time!