The job search lasted just over two months, with the first month dedicated to portfolio and case study updates and the second month focused on interviews. The interview phase involved ten companies and more than twenty-five interviews across multiple rounds. Three offers arrived: one verbal that stalled and two official offers, including two from Fortune 500 companies. The accepted offer matched team chemistry, confirmed by an in-person office visit, and avoided out-of-state relocation. Networking events, cold outreach, and referrals proved ineffective and emotionally draining for an introvert during the process.
I've been job hunting for a little over two months. The first month, I focused on updating my portfolio and case studies. The second month was filled with interviews: 10 companies and more than 25 interviews in total, since most had multiple rounds. Eventually, I received 3 offers. One was verbal but didn't move forward because of timing, and 2 were official. I also stopped interviewing with 2 other companies once I accepted the offer, so maybe it could have been more: I guess we'll never know.
What surprised me most was that 2 out of the 3 offers came from Fortune 500 companies, considering how unpredictable the process felt. I accepted the offer that made the most sense for me. I really liked the team that interviewed me, and visiting the office in person helped me realize I'd enjoy working there with those people. Another big factor was that it didn't require moving out of state.
One of the first things people say when you're job hunting is: "You have to network! Reach out to people! Ask for referrals!" But to be honest, none of that worked for me and as an introvert, it felt like torture at times. So let's break them down: 1. Networking events I went to 3 of them, and each one felt like a total waste of time. They were marketed as great opportunities to make connections, but in reality, I mostly ran into:
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