A little context: I'm disabled, and I'm trying to get into web development so I can finally support myself -- and so I can get out of the terrible, terrible city I live in (within USA).
I learned programming (PHP, MySQL) about seven years ago, but at the time going into it as a career wasn't a good option. February of this year, I decided to go for it. I've done a lot of studying, coding, a few good projects, etc.
My primary tech is React, and the rest is listed below (resume).
For around five months, I've been trying to get a remote job as a web developer, and I believe I've put in more than 1,200 applications.
There are two reasons that I don't already have a job:
1) It's a crap shoot as far as what kind of challenges I get in an interview. Sometimes it's heavy leetcode, sometimes YDKJS, sometimes it's React-based, etc.
2) It's absurdly difficult to get an interview at all.
I did pretty well in my last two, but not well enough.
One told me that if it was March, he'd give me a position now -- but for the current tasks he needs done, the candidate needs to have strong DS&A skill. I'm not unwilling to learn DS&A, but most interviewers so far have wanted me to be strong in React/YDKJS, not DS&A, so it seems unwise to focus too much attention on that.
The other was for a mid-level role and the challenge was all React / web-dev based. He knew I had zero work experience, but wanted me to try anyway. I'd say I did pretty well; I passed the first technical interview, but on the second one they decided that I was closer to junior level. Unfortunately they're not in a position yet to take on juniors, and he told me that they liked me and he would offer me such a role if he could.
I feel like getting better at coding will have marginal impact on my ability to get my first job. At this point, I think I just need more interview opportunities, but I'm rarely getting offered any interviews. I need advice, please. I'm stressed about not having a job yet, and because I'm getting less attention rather than more.
Resume:
I learned programming (PHP, MySQL) about seven years ago, but at the time going into it as a career wasn't a good option. February of this year, I decided to go for it. I've done a lot of studying, coding, a few good projects, etc.
My primary tech is React, and the rest is listed below (resume).
For around five months, I've been trying to get a remote job as a web developer, and I believe I've put in more than 1,200 applications.
There are two reasons that I don't already have a job:
1) It's a crap shoot as far as what kind of challenges I get in an interview. Sometimes it's heavy leetcode, sometimes YDKJS, sometimes it's React-based, etc.
2) It's absurdly difficult to get an interview at all.
I did pretty well in my last two, but not well enough.
One told me that if it was March, he'd give me a position now -- but for the current tasks he needs done, the candidate needs to have strong DS&A skill. I'm not unwilling to learn DS&A, but most interviewers so far have wanted me to be strong in React/YDKJS, not DS&A, so it seems unwise to focus too much attention on that.
The other was for a mid-level role and the challenge was all React / web-dev based. He knew I had zero work experience, but wanted me to try anyway. I'd say I did pretty well; I passed the first technical interview, but on the second one they decided that I was closer to junior level. Unfortunately they're not in a position yet to take on juniors, and he told me that they liked me and he would offer me such a role if he could.
I feel like getting better at coding will have marginal impact on my ability to get my first job. At this point, I think I just need more interview opportunities, but I'm rarely getting offered any interviews. I need advice, please. I'm stressed about not having a job yet, and because I'm getting less attention rather than more.
Resume: