As someone with three years of experience, I recently found myself in a situation where I had to quit my job due to a change in location. I didn’t have any experience working with FAANG companies, but I was determined to find a remote job in Canada that aligned with my skills and interests.
I was strategic in my job search, applying only to roles that I thought I’d truly enjoy or that would be a great fit for my growing skill set. I didn’t want to waste my time on roles that wouldn’t challenge me or provide me with opportunities for growth.
Interestingly, my three years of experience turned out to be the edge of non-senior roles. I was offered a senior role by one company, a non-senior role by another, and rejected by a third company because I wasn’t quite senior enough.
From my experience, I think the job market isn’t as bad as people make it out to be, especially if you have a few years of experience under your belt. However, if you’re just starting out, it might be more challenging.
One thing that surprised me was that none of the interviews I went on were extremely technical or leet-codey. They were more focused on common sense and real-life scenarios, which made me feel more confident in my abilities. I did prep for about 100 leet code mediums before applying, which wasn’t entirely necessary but did give me the confidence I needed during the interviews.
Overall, my experience has taught me that having a few years of experience can give you an edge in the job market, but it’s also important to be strategic in your job search and focus on roles that align with your skills and interests.