Dev shares lessons from 23 rejections before landing multiple SWE job offers

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A senior software engineer recently documented his two-month job search, during which he sent 72 applications, faced 23 rejections, and ultimately received two job offers. The search lasted approximately seven weeks and targeted senior-level engineering roles, with the author noting results may differ based on experience and location. He emphasizes that maintaining a consistent daily routine — such as sending a few applications and learning something new each day — was central to his success. Treating rejections as learning opportunities rather than failures, and always seeking feedback after unsuccessful interviews, were among his core pieces of advice. He also recommends building a personal project portfolio, staying accountable to friends and family, and keeping multiple interview pipelines active simultaneously.

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