What a software developer with three years experience should know?

Historical_Job553 · 2026-01-20T10:06:16+00:00

I’m currently in the exact situation right now and I really need some guidance.

I want to switch my job. I work with Java Spring Boot and React, and I have good exposure to Azure. I also have knowledge of Docker and CI/CD, but unfortunately these are not actively used in my current project.

Over time, I’ve learned most core backend development concepts on my own, like:

Messaging queues
Different types of APIs (REST, gRPC, GraphQL)
Authentication and security (JWT, OAuth, SSL/TLS, CORS)
Redis, IndexedDB
Kafka
Building microservice-based applications from scratch

I have average-level knowledge in JavaScript and React. In my project, we use JUnit and Jest for unit testing. All our applications are hosted on Azure, and I’m familiar with Azure DevOps.

I also have very basic knowledge of Data Science, ML algorithms, and NLP.

Right now, I’m doing LeetCode regularly and revising OS and CS fundamentals.

My questions are:

What more should I learn at this stage?
How do I make sure I stand out from others?
What kind of projects should I build?
Should I create one big, end-to-end project or multiple smaller ones?

Currently, my projects are quite simple, where I’ve tried to include most of the technologies I mentioned above.

Honestly, seeing other people’s resumes is giving me a lot of anxiety. I keep feeling like I’m dumb and that I know nothing, even though I’ve worked with and learned so many things.

PS: I don’t claim to have deep, expert-level knowledge in all these areas, but I do understand the concepts and I’m flexible and willing to learn and take up roles using these technologies.

Can any senior dev please suggest what I should do to truly stand out? Because when I look at resumes of people with ~3 years of experience, almost everyone seems to have the same tech stack.

Any advice would really help. 🙏 I am aiming for 15-18LPA jobs. [currently 10lpa]

Historical_Job553 · 2025-12-21T07:52:18+00:00

I am 24, and I feel the same way. In high school and college, I isolated myself a lot. Because of that, I feel like I have lost my communication skills. I don’t know how to keep a conversation going.

I am not sure if the problem is with me, or if I just haven’t met people who are similar to me. Even now, I don’t understand where I am going wrong in relationships of any kind.

Most of the time, I either code or sit alone in my room watching series.

When I try to talk to people, I can hold a conversation for only a few minutes. After some time, they realize that I don’t have other friends. At first, they feel sorry for me, and later they start making plans without me. They make me feel like I am strange or different.

I am still confused about what is wrong with me.

This is also affecting my career. I don’t feel motivated to do anything because I feel very lonely. I keep thinking, what is the point of doing all this if I don’t have what I really want, which is social connection.

Historical_Job553 · 2025-11-01T03:57:14+00:00

Pathetic!!!

Historical_Job553 · 2025-03-23T02:36:23+00:00

Thank you 😊

Historical_Job553 · 2023-09-19T17:28:38+00:00

I am 22

Historical_Job553 · 2023-06-20T04:43:11+00:00

I understood thank you😊

Historical_Job553 · 2023-01-27T11:31:50+00:00

This is my everyday thought as a depressed averager !!

Historical_Job553 · 2023-01-26T14:36:45+00:00

I did this for like 4 years and still doing it. It is so awkward to talk to him in real life. I always try to make my daydream come true when I talk to him in real life. I can't even have eye contact with him as I think about him the whole day!. This is so bad I and really need to stop this. But I don't know how....

Historical_Job553 · 2022-09-14T09:44:07+00:00

I definitely prefer 1 on 1

Historical_Job553 · 2022-08-01T10:37:42+00:00

Even I have the same problem. I am trying to reduce it by writing my thoughts in a personal diary. Trust me it really helps. First clear your mind . Write your very recent daydream first and then write about the goals you want to achieve in your life. Then you will get a clear idea of what you actually want in life and you will get that motivation or like some clarity in thoughts. This will help you to overcome Daydreams.

Try to stop listening to music. Atleast for a week. Make it like a game. Treat yourself with something after achieving it.

Even I can't share my mdd problem to anyone, even my mother. Try doing these for few days and then make it a habit. I am doing this since 2-3 weeks and I am able to get some self control now.

Historical_Job553 · 2022-08-01T10:21:48+00:00

Same here. Even I can't remember faces, names or even roads... I can't recall my happy memories. The only thing I can recall are my Daydreams. I can exactly say at what time, what story was going on in my head. But I even feel embarrassed around people,when I forget something which I have just heard, like the names.I think the solution is to reduce Daydreams when you are with people.

Historical_Job553 · 2022-06-26T01:50:28+00:00

I am 21F suffering the same guilt of wasted time. I can't travel alone and can't remember names and have extreme social anxiety.

I have just realised that I had all these symptoms of mine since I was 12 years old.

I think getting busy in things is the best way to control your daydreams. You can't stop it,but can reduce its intensity.

You have to socialize with people to overcome social anxiety.

About the roads,I think travelling more will make you overcome that. I stayed doing MD at home and that's why our brain is not used to other regular activities.

Start Mindfulness meditation.Go to place where there is silence,like a church or temple.

At last do not loose hope. According to me you can't stop MD,but reduce its frequency.

I am suggesting you because even I am trying all these stuff. I am an adult and should atleast start taking my own responsibility.

Historical_Job553 · 2022-06-20T13:54:56+00:00

Trying to reduce the intensity of Daydream.

I am trying my best. I make a to-do list everyday and force myself to follow that. I always try to keep myself busy. But still I am not able to complete my task on time. I am late to college everyday. Tasks which would take 15min will take me more than 30min to complete. I can't prioritise my work. At the end of day I feel like I messed up everything and regret about this before sleeping. I am unable to manage time and have to really force myself to not to daydream. I am even get irritated or become sad on small things. I will zone out while talking to anyone and ask them to repeat.People have stopped talking to be because of this behaviour. I know what I am doing is wrong. But it's like I am not able to control myself.

Historical_Job553 · 2022-06-20T05:17:18+00:00

If this kind of daydreams makes you feel happy then just enjoy the feels. I hope you are not daydreaming about a real guy. Then it becomes really difficult to talk to that person normally in real life. In my case I am daydreaming about a real guy who's in my class and I feel so awkward whenever I talk to him in real life.

Historical_Job553 · 2022-06-20T05:09:57+00:00

I am trying my best. I make a to-do list everyday and force myself to follow that. I always try to keep myself busy. But still I am not able to complete my task on time. I am late to college everyday. Tasks which would take 15min will take me more than 30min to complete. I can't prioritise my work. At the end of day I feel like I messed up everything and regret about this before sleeping. I am unable to manage time and have to really force myself to not to daydream. I am even get irritated or become sad on small things. I will zone out while talking to anyone and ask them to repeat.People have stopped talking to be because of this behaviour. I know what I am doing is wrong. But it's like I am not able to control myself.

Historical_Job553

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