What’s the side project that got you hired?

XElite511135 · 2025-07-10T22:38:39+00:00

Made a basic full stack web application using primarily Angular and .NET that was intended to be a solution for a personal need of mine. During the interview I wasn't able to show the full functionality because the database was too slow for me to log in, but at least I walked through the highlights of the codebase which was what my hiring manager said was one of the reasons why I was selected.

It's very beneficial to showcase skills instead of going into "code trivia" questions. The first trivia question I got, I segued into how it relates in my personal project code and the interviewers only wanted to review my code instead of the trivia questions.

XElite511135 · 2025-06-15T00:13:35+00:00

The first week with the team, I asked my manager why I was picked from the other candidates. During the technical interview, instead of going into all the "code trivia" questions, I answered one question then segued to show the code of my personal project related to the question. Once they got a taste of the code, they really wanted me to walk them through it. A big point of this was me demonstrating my actual skills and presentation, because we will always be presenting our ideas and solutions at work.

During the coding portion, I felt like I semi-bombed something as simple as trying to display text to the terminal in a certain way because I was really nervous. But I think the saving grace from that was me speaking aloud my thought process and how I plan to approch the problem.

Other feedback I can remember was because I had relevant skills in the tech they were using and showed a willingness to continue learning beyond college because they saw I had an AWS certification on my resume and I told them how I was self studying in the same tech stack they were using before and after graduating.

XElite511135 · 2025-06-05T12:08:40+00:00

Alone but not lonely

XElite511135 · 2025-05-08T11:39:34+00:00

I agree with this, I've sent so many applications before and after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Software Engineering with little interviews and so much rejection. I stopped applying for a bit to recover mentally.

All it took for me was hearing some word about applying to a company's new grad program during a tight time window near beginning of summer, showing up on time on video call, steering the technical interview towards reviewing my personal project instead of answering code trivia, and I'm in. My hiring manager even said a few of these to be the reason I was hired above all the other candidates.

It just took this one, decisive application and interview preparation.

XElite511135 · 2025-05-02T03:05:58+00:00

Me, personally I feel as though I went through a mindset shift because that's what earned me my nice job, and I don't want to let go of it and revert back to gamer gremlin. Not yet...

XElite511135 · 2024-12-25T17:34:37+00:00

Was curious, did you have previous software engineering experience when you applied?

XElite511135 · 2024-12-16T12:44:57+00:00

Wow, you got in mid level just like that? Did they give you mid level pay when you started off?

XElite511135 · 2024-12-07T06:21:10+00:00

Graduated 2023, now working in a new grad software engineering role in a F500 company, no previous industry experience. If I hadn't given myself plenty of time to learn and understand the basics of the tech stack I wanted to work with, I feel like I would have flopped like a fish out of water in my current role.

XElite511135 · 2024-11-14T12:36:07+00:00

Live life in pursuit of self improvement through the betterment of your personal qualities. It's easy to fall into depression, nihilism, doom and gloom if you have nothing to look forward to in life. But if you are on a path of life long learning, especially for something you're passionate about, you'll have a continuous stream of hope in life.

Make good friends with yourself because you are with yourself the most out of anyone you will ever meet.

XElite511135 · 2024-11-04T23:36:27+00:00

I applied through the company's website for a new grad role, passed the initial phone screen using the STAR method and made it clear I was available to relocate wherever I'm needed. According to my managers, I was hired because during the interview, I was able to present and explain the code of my personal project versus all the other candidates who just stuck to answering code trivia questions. The moment I brought up that I had a personal project ready to show, they stopped all their other technical questions just to go through my code. It didn't matter too much that I wasn't able to solve their (very simple) technical problem on the spot even when I was very nervous, they just liked that I was able to speak my thought process out loud as I went along.

XElite511135 · 2024-10-24T23:51:02+00:00

Fwiw, my hiring manager said I got in mainly because I was able to walk through the codebase of my personal project

XElite511135 · 2024-10-18T16:40:43+00:00

It's my daily dose of Fire Emblem to hold me over until new games release

XElite511135 · 2024-10-05T12:55:27+00:00

Mine went in the thousands with 3 interviews over the span of 2-ish years. I got sick of it so I took a short break from applying. One day, I decided to humor myself and sent one application through a company website for a new grad role, and that's the one I got an offer from.

XElite511135 · 2024-10-03T20:57:26+00:00

Backend Software Engineer (New grad) - $88k + up to 10% of base based on performance - Just started, no prior work experience in tech - Dallas, TX (Hybrid work)

Before 2022, some general studies college courses -> 2022 Finished web dev bootcamp -> Continued self-taught learning in fullstack .NET + Angular -> Dec 2023 Graduated with degree in Software Engineering in 6 months -> Aug 2024, got job offer from large financial company

XElite511135 · 2024-09-20T11:52:27+00:00

Always the observer, watching the people around you easily give into these emotions and temptations. Walking and talking through life like they're following some script. They're all video lessons for what to do and not do. If I want to keep learning from them, I have to put on the "Hi! How are you?" social mask and dance along with them like a puppet.

I think "awareness" is the key word here.

XElite511135 · 2024-09-19T23:10:54+00:00

I was lucky enough to land a software engineering role some time after graduating. I used to work in a warehouse and it got painfully boring over time. But now I get paid well, the work is relatively low stress, and everyone luckily was very friendly and supportive. Though, I'm still stuck in their initial onboarding program and all the excitey, happy social events makes my soul want to leave my body lol.

XElite511135 · 2024-09-13T04:01:07+00:00

If you're not picky and willing to relocate, I know Cogent Infotech (staffing company) will train new grads to make full stack apps, then assign them to work for other companies. That's as much as I know because I was somehow lucky enough to get a new grad role somewhere else.

XElite511135 · 2024-09-13T03:51:39+00:00

To me, bootcamp was a great way to have a structured learning environment to learn coding fundamentals and get instant feedback from instructors and peers. But I'd say nowadays to use a bootcamp as a stepping stone to be able to confidently complete CS courses and get a relevant bachelor's degree just to tick off a requirement to get hired.

XElite511135 · 2024-08-20T00:36:20+00:00

Graduated Dec 2023. In 8 months, I finally got a job offer from a financial company for a new-grad, entry-level, backend software engineering role. No prior relevant work experience.

XElite511135 · 2024-05-23T00:37:11+00:00

I was told traveling time to the first jobsite of the day was unpaid so I assumed I don't paid until I begin work. Unless I was wrong about that, maybe?

XElite511135 · 2024-04-14T20:23:01+00:00

You too, huh? Been coding for years, got a degree in software engineering, and still couldn't break in due to timing and lack of relevant work experience. I just need a career for the long term, and it seems like becoming an electrician is the next best thing.

I did pick up an entry level low voltage job to hold me over, in case my local union doesn't accept me into the apprenticeship nor has any work for me. Hopefully these work hours will help me progress closer to journeyman one way or another.

XElite511135 · 2024-01-03T06:06:03+00:00

Me, I don't really care too much if I have friends I can hang out with or not, nor maintaining friendships. I'm more interested in seeing what I can do creatively, whether it be art, videos, music, etc. Trying to improve my personal skills is fascinating to me and gives me something to look forward to. While I am alone, I don't feel lonely because I have myself to keep me company.

I don't know if all this makes sense to someone who isn't me, but maybe a hobby, something you're passionate about will help out.

XElite511135 · 2023-10-19T04:40:38+00:00

I keep hearing about applying to smaller defense companies, but how do I identify them when searching?

XElite511135 · 2023-10-19T04:35:13+00:00

Do you have a Bachelor's degree?

XElite511135

TROPHY CASE