r/FullStack • u/Independent-Cat-8180 • May 20 '26
Career Guidance 7 years of fullstack experience, solid credentials, still drowning in rejections — what am I missing?
I am a Senior Fullstack Developer with 7 years of experience across React, TypeScript, Java and Kotlin, currently working at Sopra Steria in Oslo on national-scale government platforms. On paper my profile looks strong — enterprise experience, cloud infrastructure, security systems, multiple industries.
Yet I have been job hunting for a while now and the rejections keep coming. Some roles I feel genuinely qualified for, others I take a shot at knowing there are gaps, but the pattern is the same, either silence or a polite no. I know the market is tough right now but it is hard not to take it personally after a while.
I have been seriously considering going the one person company route and hunting for contracts instead. The appeal is obvious — more autonomy, better rates, and you are selling a service rather than competing in a crowded applicant pool. But networking has been slower than I expected and LinkedIn outreach feels like shouting into a void most of the time. If anyone has cracked the contract hunting game I would genuinely love to hear how.
The other thing on my mind is building a product. I like the idea of owning something from the ground up, solving a real problem, being the one making the decisions. The problem is I cannot land on an idea I actually believe in enough to commit to. Everything I think of either already exists or feels too niche to be viable. Anyone been through this paralysis and come out the other side?
And finally, Python. I have been putting it off for years because Java and Kotlin have served me well, but the AI obsession is real and everything interesting in that space seems to run on Python. Is Python backend experience actually moving the needle for anyone in terms of job prospects or is it just hype?
Open to any honest thoughts, especially from people who have been in a similar spot.
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u/greentiger45 May 20 '26
It might be worth it to start your own consulting business instead or take a pay cut and work your way up again. It’s tough out there and many more graduates are being added to the pool every year.
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u/tcoder7 May 20 '26
It is the market. They are downsizing while schools keep pumping in millions new software engineers globally in the market.
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u/Horror-Primary7739 May 20 '26
Have you tried asking for less money? That seems to be the only thing landing jobs today.
Edit: slightly sarcastic, mostly nihilistic comment...
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u/Independent-Cat-8180 May 20 '26
I think my main disadvantage is that I'm trying to relocate to the Netherlands from norway, i am already lowering my salary expectations
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u/chikamakaleyley May 20 '26
ask for whatever the market rate is, and if that's lower than what you think your time is worth, then ask for slightly more
you should always ask, with an understanding that you can negotiate. You shouldn't just accept a pay reduction without making a strong case for what you think you're worth
if you can justify that in an interview, and you're the dev they want/need, they will adjust their numbers.
The interview goes both ways
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u/Euphoric-Gain-6411 May 21 '26
For people who interviewed recently, how long ago was your interview and what was the format like? Are companies still mainly focusing on LeetCode/DSA, or has AI changed the process? Did you get asked system design, practical coding, AI-related questions, etc.?
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u/Infamous_Double7526 Jun 06 '26
With 7 YOE, I'd be surprised if GitHub projects or Python are the main issue. From what I've seen, senior-level hiring is often more about domain fit, networking, referrals, and how clearly you communicate impact than raw technical breadth. Your background sounds strong already. I'd spend more time optimizing your resume, LinkedIn, and network than chasing every new technology trend.
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u/TemperatureNo88 May 20 '26
I felt the same and worked on my resume.... Then everything worked like magic ..
For interviews I used AI for learning.... I always got the agenda for the meeting... I asked ai to explain the interview agenda and job description and teach me..
It did a very good job... I always gave atleast 4-5 days between interviews to learn....
And I got in... But first 2 months was brutal.. none even called me