How to get your first developer job (Part Three): My Rejections

Job hunting as a junior developer can feel like an emotional rollercoaster—there is excitement, confusion, rejection, and sometimes, a small victory keeps you going.

My journey was no different. Here’s how it unfolded, from sending out applications to facing interviews and learning from rejection.

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The Silent Rejections

When I first started applying, I had a solid resume (or so I thought) and a good education. But I didn’t have any professional experience as a developer. I sent out applications, fully expecting responses, yet most of the time, there was silence—no replies, no feedback. It was frustrating.

I couldn’t understand why companies weren’t even glancing at my application. I had to confront the reality that, in a competitive market, even a great resume doesn’t guarantee attention.

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The First Interview: A Learning Experience

My first developer job interview was in Amsterdam. Luckily, I brought my laptop, which turned out to be a lifesaver. They asked me to showcase some of my work, so I demonstrated a few simple web applications I had built. The co-founder of the company was interested, but his questions took me by surprise.

He asked if I could work with user data and generate meaningful insights. Although I didn’t have direct experience with it, I was excited and told him I’d love to explore that kind of project. The conversation felt promising, and I thought I had left a good impression. But in the end, I didn’t get the job. The feedback? They wanted someone with more experience and technical expertise.

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Overcoming Rejection

That rejection stung, but I didn’t stop. I decided to email the recruiter for feedback on what I could improve. To my surprise, they responded with constructive criticism:

1. Profile Mismatch: My skills didn’t fully align with the job requirements.
2. English Communication: My spoken English needed improvement, which was a tough pill to swallow but also a wake-up call.
3. Overenthusiasm: I was too chatty and overly excited during the interview—probably fueled by too much coffee!

While it was hard to hear, this feedback gave me a clear roadmap for improvement. I focused on refining my communication skills and being more concise during interviews.

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Embracing the Reality of Job Hunting

Through this process, I learned that not getting replies or rejections is completely normal. Many companies receive a flood of applications, and their systems aren’t perfect. Sometimes, your application doesn’t even make it to the right person.

That said, when I did get feedback, I made sure to take it seriously. Each rejection became an opportunity to grow and prepare better for the next interview.

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The Silver Lining

Job hunting isn’t easy, especially when you’re new to the field. But every step, even the rejections, brought me closer to my goal. I learned to stay persistent, improve where I could, and focus on what I could control.

For anyone navigating this journey, remember that rejections are part of the process. Use them to fuel your growth, and don’t let them discourage you. Your first “yes” is out there—you just have to keep moving forward.