LocalNo1880's journey

I finally received a $100k offer for my first tech job as a cloud engineer! I've been applying since February and it's been quite a journey. Last year was tough; I made a bad crypto trade that wiped out my entire net worth and left me with about $60k in credit card debt. I spent the last year freelancing, building a portfolio, and honing my skills. I even completed several certifications in just three months, which usually take years. Despite the negative narratives about the job market, I stayed positive and focused on the high-demand tech skills I was developing, particularly in AWS and Kubernetes. I went through numerous interviews, faced many rejections, and learned something valuable from each experience. One final stage interview in February didn't work out, but I kept pushing forward. The interview process for this new role was straightforward: an initial screening with a recruiter, a technical and architecture challenge on-site, and a values interview with four senior team members. From the initial screen to receiving the offer took about a month. One key takeaway for me was that thorough preparation made a significant difference. I found that when I over-prepared, I could excel in interviews and engage with interviewers more effectively. I learned to maintain a calm and confident demeanor, which helped create a comfortable atmosphere for discussion. I realized that the less I chased opportunities, the more they seemed to come my way. By applying to numerous positions, I created a sense of abundance and trust in the process. I hope my experience can inspire others to stay persistent and believe in their journey.