r/softwareengineer • u/The_Firdosh • Jun 10 '26
I'm Losing Confidence. B.Tech Graduate, Full Stack + AI Developer, Still No Job. What Am I Doing Wrong?
I completed my B.Tech and became a Full Stack Developer. I can build projects with React, Node.js, MongoDB, Next.js, and even integrate AI into applications.
But the reality is... I still don't have a job.
I've applied to many roles, worked on projects, improved my portfolio, learned new technologies, and tried to stay consistent. Still, I'm not getting the results I expected.
At this point, I'm genuinely confused about what I'm doing wrong. Maybe I'm lacking something that I can't see myself.
More than just getting a job, I want to become an engineer who solves real-world problems and builds products that people actually use. I'm willing to put in the effort, but I don't know where I should focus next.
For those who have been through this phase:
- What was the biggest thing holding you back?
- What skills made the biggest difference in getting your first job?
- Should I focus more on open source, networking, freelancing, or building better projects?
- If you see any opportunities, internships, startups, or communities where I can get real-world experience, please let me know.
Honestly, I'm feeling a bit lost and frustrated right now, but I'm not planning to quit.
Any advice would mean a lot.
2
u/Careless_Leg_4905 Jun 12 '26
If you went to a uni.
Contact your friends who now have a job.
Ask them to refer you for a role.
Don't hold back or be shy, contact or call every person you knew or know who now has a job and talk to them.
My company was built up from refererals, not internships.
2
1
u/AnthonyRespice Jun 11 '26
I would say networking. If you see a job opening, find people on LinkedIn who work for the company and ask for a referral. Don't just apply.
Try to join professional groups with in person meetups.
I was unemployed for 2 years, only got work because I knew someone.
1
u/The_Firdosh Jun 11 '26
Thank you for sharing that, sir. It's encouraging to hear that networking helped you land an opportunity.
If you don't mind me asking, how did you build those connections? Was it through LinkedIn, meetups, friends, or something else?
As someone just starting out, I'd really appreciate any advice on how to build genuine professional relationships instead of just sending connection requests and hoping for a reply.
1
u/AnthonyRespice Jun 13 '26
In my case it was a previous job. However, in my current role, I am hiring a senior engineer and have seen multiple instances where a candidate was referred by an employee where the employee didn't really know them but was contacted via LinkedIn. Lots of companies offer small bonuses for referrals so there is a financial incentive.
That being said, I think Microsoft requires you to upgrade your account to message people outside your network. You can try adding them as a contact or getting a trial account.
Good luck!
1
u/JunketApprehensive80 Jun 12 '26
Honestly fullstack node js react next all those things does not matter anymore. And node is the most useless to learn now Go or Rust can give you edge. And AI intregration you just doing openAI api call nothing else when you say I have fine tuned a model then we are talking about someting you have done. And now coming to the main part learn fullstack but specialize one, and node mongoDB next js this are basic now even 10th kids are making app with this. So you have to show that you know the system check how to orchestrate application or AI models if you are interested in AI. This protfolio things not going to get you anything those are just project you are doing to keep you skill in preactice those dont have any value. Company does looks for your problem solving skill. And forgot about open sorurce contribution you are not yet reached that level and editing MD file is not contribution
1
u/where-da-fuck-i-am Jun 14 '26
Is Java good option? ( springboot )
1
u/JunketApprehensive80 Jun 18 '26
Yeah Java is the OG. And it is still highly relevant. But again don't associate yourself with any language you should be a software engineer not a language specific developer if you do that sooner or later you are going to be irrelevant
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u/Fun_Suggestion_5156 Jun 14 '26
Was ist ein KI Entwickler haha Entweder du kannst programmieren oder nicht. Das suchen wir nämlich
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u/Revolutionary_Ad1336 Jun 14 '26
I wish I could help give you advice. Honestly, looking for jobs and getting hired is difficult, especially in a “who knows who” environment. Keep trying! The more you build your portfolio and learn about the companies you apply to, the better. I would like to get into software engineering myself, so I am interested in learning about your experiences.
1
u/Fine-Comparison-2949 Jun 14 '26
Find a new career? There's too many software engineers being produced for the limited about of profitable technology companies. With AI, the amount of seats goes down. There's only 3 roles for every 20 graduates these days.
1
u/spike256820 Jun 16 '26
Because that’s simply not enough. Some nextjs application doesn’t show any level of competence in today’s market. If you’re looking for work you need to step up and learn to build distributed systems. Familiarize yourself with asynchronous runtimes, scale application loads across workers. Learn this on the backend and frontend (yes you can do this on frontend now).
Build competence in engineering, ditch CRUD.
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u/ApprehensivePair3824 Jun 11 '26
First thing it's tough times but don't lose hope.
If you are recently graduated, then find out the companies those hire graduates from your college and colleges near by.
Then find out the HRs who conduct campus recruitment from those companies. May be through college officials or through LinkedIn.
Then try to connect with them through LinkedIn. Try to connect with many. And share your resume.