# Navigating the Job Market as a New Grad in Computer Science: A Roast and Reality Check

The journey from graduation to landing that coveted first job can be a tumultuous ride, especially in the tech industry. For many new graduates, including those with second degrees like myself, the job hunt can feel like an uphill battle filled with countless applications and a sea of rejections. Today, I want to share my experience and some feedback I’ve received, which might resonate with others in a similar situation.

## The Struggle is Real: My Job Application Journey

As I approach my graduation in December with my second engineering degree, I find myself knee-deep in the job application process. Despite having completed over 50 applications primarily aimed at smaller local companies, the response has been disheartening—zero interviews and a string of rejections. This has led me to question my approach and the quality of my applications.

### The Focus: Smaller Companies First

My strategy has been to target smaller companies initially, believing that this would increase my chances of landing an interview as I work on improving my LeetCode skills to tackle larger tech giants later. However, hitting that 200 LeetCode mark feels distant when the rejections pile up.

## Feedback from the Community: A Dose of Reality

After sharing my plight, the top comments from my post provided valuable insights and critiques. Let’s break down some of the key takeaways:

### 1. **Attention to Detail Matters**

One commenter pointed out that my application may have suffered from a lack of attention to small details. This is a crucial aspect of being a developer—if you can’t demonstrate meticulousness in your applications, how can employers trust you with their code? The tech industry is competitive, and even minor oversights can lead to missed opportunities. 

### 2. **Keep Applying, but Reflect on Your Approach**

Another user suggested that applying to more positions might help, as it’s hard to gauge what’s working with just 50 applications. This made me realize that I need to diversify my application strategy. Instead of fixating solely on the number of applications, I should also reflect on the quality and tailor my resume for each position. 

### 3. **Quantify Your Achievements**

A key piece of advice was to quantify my experiences in my resume. Employers love numbers because they provide a clear picture of what I can bring to the table. For instance, instead of saying I was involved in a hackathon, I should emphasize what I built and the impact it had. Instead of “Worked on a weather tracker,” I could say, “Built a weather tracker that predicts weather patterns using machine learning, resulting in a 20% increase in prediction accuracy.” 

### 4. **Simplify Your Internship Section**

Another commenter highlighted the complexity of my internship section. They suggested that I simplify this part of my resume, focusing on impressive projects and problems I solved in a clear and straightforward manner. A recruiter may not always be technical, so it’s important to present my experiences in a way that’s easy to digest. 

## Moving Forward: Strategies for Success

Armed with this feedback, I’ve decided to implement a few strategies moving forward:

- **Revamp My Resume:** I’ll simplify my internship descriptions, quantify my achievements, and focus on the impact of my projects.
- **Broaden My Applications:** While I’ll continue to apply to smaller companies, I’ll also start exploring mid-sized companies, increasing my chances of landing interviews.
- **Network Actively:** I plan to connect with industry professionals, attend local meetups, and seek out informational interviews to gain insights and advice from those already working in the field.

## Conclusion

While the job hunt can be discouraging, it’s essential to take feedback constructively and adapt. The tech industry is vast, and with persistence and the right approach, I believe success is within reach. To all fellow new grads, remember that rejections are just part of the journey. Embrace them, learn from them, and keep pushing forward. Let’s turn those rejections into a stepping stone toward our first tech jobs!