I’ve been a software developer for 20 years this year.

I quit my job in 2024 and moved country to be with someone I fell in love with.

Last time I’d interviewed it was 2020 - yeah, I had my pick of roles. This time after 5 applications a day every day for two months plus Leetcode and System Design practice round the clock I landed a dozen interviews and 2x offers.

I never thought I’d have to send 300+ job applications to get a job but my wife whilst sympathetic opened her job applications folder which had some 100+ applications in her field (manager in tourism sector) before she received a job offer.

It’s tough, software devs have never faced that level of friction before but it’s present in other industries.

A quote from Churchill which I carry with me is ‘if you’re going through hell, keep going’.