Just apply

There's no better way to learn how to get a job, or determine what role you want, than applying

“abstract, paperwork” / Midjourney

In the spirit of stomping on overthought, I’m trying out a new article format. Instead of going through a painstaking 10-step, 3-week process to create the perfect article replete with footnotes, I’m going to write about something that I’ve had a couple recent conversations about: getting a job that you’ll like more than your last one.

In short, you’re overthinking it¹. If you suspect that you want a new job (for whatever reason), just submit a few applications. If you’re not sure whether that job posting will actually make you happy, apply and find out (before you accept an offer, but after you apply). If you’re not sure whether you know how to do technical interviews (anymore, or at all), apply and find out.

If they ignore your application, you’ve learned you need to work on your resume. If the recruiter never calls you back, you need to work on your storytelling. If the rejection comes after the coding interview, you need to practice coding interviews.

Deprioritize² introspection. Deprioritize complaining at parties and meetups. Deprioritize reading a bunch of articles like this one³. Apply to a bunch of jobs that look vaguely like one that you think you might want, and go from there.

1. Just like me, when I was trying to write this article! (Yes, I’m keeping the footnotes.)

2. By “deprioritize” I mean that you should do a bit of this, but you’re probably doing too much of it.

3. But thanks anyways; make sure to Like and Subscribe!