Landing an IT Job Is Hard, But It Is Still Possible

Finding a job in the IT industry is not as easy as it looks. People often talk about the opportunities in tech, but they rarely talk about how difficult it is to get your first job.

For us, the journey took almost 1,000 applications, countless hours of waiting, and a lot of patience. But in the end, we found an opportunity to start our careers as Software Engineers.

Almost 1,000 Applications Later

We submitted almost 1,000 applications across different job listing websites. We applied for various roles, updated our resumes, and waited for companies to respond.

Only around 20% of our applications received a reply, and most of those replies were rejections.

The experience made us question our skills and qualifications. Were our projects enough? Did we need more experience? What were companies looking for in their applicants?

Over time, we realized that getting hired is not always about how skilled you are. Other factors also affect your chances.

When Your School Becomes a Factor

One of the challenges we noticed was the preference for graduates from specific universities.

Some job listings favored applicants from certain schools. This made us feel that our educational background sometimes mattered more than our actual skills and abilities.

We understand the value of education, but talent does not come from a university name alone. Some people learn through personal projects, online courses, freelance work, and independent practice.

What matters is the ability to solve problems, learn new things, and build software that serves a purpose.

Companies should give applicants a fair chance to prove what they know, regardless of where they studied.

The Silence After the Coding Exam

Another challenge was the lack of communication during the hiring process.

Some applications progressed to the second phase, which involved a coding exam. We spent time solving problems and writing code, hoping to move closer to getting hired.

After submitting our work, some companies stopped responding.

We understand that hiring takes time, but applicants also invest time and effort in every stage. A simple update would help them understand where they stand.

Clear communication shows respect for the effort both sides put into the process.

Choosing Experience Over a High Salary

After months of applying, we started thinking about what mattered most to us at that point in our careers.

Of course, we wanted a good salary. We wanted our skills and effort to be valued. But we also knew we needed real work experience.

We wanted to work on actual projects, solve business problems, collaborate with other people, and continue improving our skills.

So, we set aside our expectations of earning a high salary right away and focused on finding a place where we could learn and grow.

That decision led us to a Software Engineer position at a startup company.

It was a practical choice. We wanted to start our careers, gain hands-on experience, and build a strong foundation for future opportunities.

Building Digital Experiences for Businesses

Working at a startup gave us the opportunity to help several companies build their digital identity and assets.

Our work goes beyond writing code. We help businesses establish their online presence, develop digital tools, and build communities around their brands.

Every project introduces new challenges and teaches us something different. We learn how businesses operate, understand their needs, and turn their ideas into useful digital solutions.

This experience has shown us how software development creates value beyond the technical side of the job. The work we do helps businesses reach more people, improve their services, and connect with their audiences.

We are still learning, and there is much more ahead of us. But we now have the opportunity to grow through real projects and meaningful work.

To Every IT Job Seeker

If you are still looking for your first IT job, remember that a difficult job search does not define your ability to succeed.

Focus on the things within your control.

• Build projects that demonstrate your skills.
• Keep learning and improving your knowledge.
• Update your resume to highlight your strengths.
• Practice explaining your projects and the problems you solved.
• Apply to startups and smaller companies alongside larger organizations.
• Stay open to opportunities that offer valuable experience.

Your first job might not come with the salary you hoped for. It might not be at your dream company. That does not mean it is a bad place to start.

Choose an opportunity that helps you grow, develop your skills, and move toward your long-term goals. As you gain experience, you will have more to offer and more options to consider.

Final Thoughts

Almost 1,000 applications taught me how difficult it is to enter the IT industry. From school preferences to unanswered coding exams, the job search tested my patience and made me realize how challenging it was to get my first opportunity.

Eventually, I landed my first job as a Software Engineer at a startup. Instead of focusing on getting the highest salary right away, I chose to prioritize experience. I worked on real projects, helped businesses build their digital presence, developed digital assets, and contributed to building their communities.

That experience became the foundation of my career. I learned how to turn business needs into working solutions, handle real development tasks, collaborate with others, and take responsibility for the software I helped build. Each project gave me practical knowledge and a better understanding of what companies expected from a Software Engineer.

Over time, I had more than personal projects and technical knowledge to show employers. I had real work experience, completed projects, and examples of how my skills helped businesses. These became important strengths when I applied for my next opportunities.

Today, I have moved on to a new company and secured a higher-paying role. My first job helped me bridge the gap between knowing how to code and applying those skills in a professional setting. The experience I gained made me better prepared for interviews, gave me more confidence in discussing my work, and helped me pursue opportunities with better compensation.

Looking back, I am glad I did not wait for the perfect job to start my career. My first role gave me the experience I needed to take the next step.

If you are still searching for your first IT job, do not feel discouraged if your starting point is not what you expected. Focus on learning, building real projects, and gaining skills you will carry into your next role.

Your first job does not have to be your dream job. It can be the starting point for something better.

Landing an IT job is hard, but it is still possible. Your first job gives you a place to start, the experience helps you grow, and the skills you build open doors to better opportunities.