Hey everyone, I just needed to vent and hope to find some advice. I'm a front-end developer with over 20 years of experience, mainly focused on React and design systems for the last 5 years. However, I got laid off in May this year, and it's been a tough road since. This is the first time in my career that I'm completely unemployed, and it's really hitting me hard. I've been applying for remote jobs because I live in Mexico and need at least $5,500 a month to support my two kids. Unfortunately, I haven't even been able to nail interviews; I keep getting ghosted or rejected, and the job market seems so competitive. I want to provide for my kids, but I'm feeling frustrated and defeated. I'm trying to improve my skills in Next.js and AI tooling, and I'm open to branching into backend or mobile development, but right now, it feels hopeless. Any thoughts or tips?
5 Answers
Just a heads-up, it seems like a lot of companies want full-stack now instead of just front-end. If you're considering the backend, make sure you brush up on something like Python or Node.js, as that could make you more appealing to potential employers.
It’s tough out there for everyone right now. Just keep pushing; your experience means something even if it doesn’t always feel that way. And remember, your kids need you around more than anything, so whatever happens, don’t lose sight of that. Take care of yourself first!
Hang in there! The job market is definitely tight for many right now, but things are bound to get better eventually. You're not alone in this struggle. Keep pushing through!
I feel you, man. I was laid off in February and it took me a few months to land something solid. Here are some tips that helped me:
1. Polish your resume with metrics; focus on achievements rather than just duties.
2. Practice coding challenges regularly to keep your skills sharp.
3. Leverage your connections—reach out to former colleagues for potential leads.
Here’s a tip that might help: when applying for jobs, take the job description and run it through an AI to get feedback on how your resume matches it. Similar to how Applicant Tracking Systems work; if you can get at least an 80% match, you’re more likely to get noticed. Also, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Post about your job search on LinkedIn and reach out to connections—sometimes it’s about who you know!
That’s really smart! I’ll definitely give that a shot!
Great advice on the networking front, very true!
I’m working on that, thanks for the heads up!