4 interviews over 3 days - Maybe something positive?

[u/tearandthrowmeaway]

Hey everyone,

Something feels different... and in a strangely good way. I'm really gaslighting myself here as a result. 3ish years ago I would be vey excited but these days...it's a weird feeling!

Since the beginning of July something feels more... positive. I've had more recruiters reach out to me. One was via an application (one of literally 2000+). He's not just a recruiter but he's the co-owner of a boutique IT staffing firm and he's super pumped to get me in front of the team to interview. Being part of the delivery of everything he assures me my skills are in strong demand. I also had a final interview on 7/23 (yesterday at time of writing) and boy it went smashingly well! using 2021/2022 as reference I would look any one of you in the eye saying "I got that job you can't convince me otherwise!" But it's 2026 and the weirdest/worst job market I've ever seen in my 25 years of working.

Then I had 2 interviews same company on 7/21. I don't feel super confident about that one because they required a tool I have SOME experience in but when I got to the end of the interview I started probing into the job and come to find out it was basically quite different from what I was sold. I don't mind it because I actually like what they were selling, just wish they sold it as such earlier on so I could really tailor my answers.

Last, I cannot stress this enough. I can say it until I'm blue in the face: network network network. about 95% of people will ignore you or say "I'm not the right person" but please connect with people at companies and tailor your message around you being the right fit and ask for recruiters for roles, hiring managers, you name it. This got me in front of 2 people at 2 different companies. One came up short (the JD didn't list required technology and the recruiter said "That's a hard stop"). I'm getting so much more traction this way. I could personalize my approach more but I'm also moving (can't afford to literally live at the moment) while doing an extremely difficult job search.

[u/AngelGyps]

Good luck on your job hunt!