Apply for that job. Even if you're not qualified.

I applied for a job I wasn't qualified for. I was rejected twice before getting the first interview. I failed the last round of interviews. And then I got the job offer that changed my life.?

Back in 2017, I was looking for my first job as a software engineer, and things seemed bleak. For example:

1. I didn’t have a degree in computer science
2. I learned my craft in a coding boot camp, which some of my interviewers didn’t like (to say the least)
3. I was competing with smart and talented people from Stanford, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, and other prestigious universities
4. I was older than a typical new grad

Odds were stacked against me from the get-go, and my rejection rate was 95% - most of which came before any interviews. Recruiters (or ATS) were rejecting me without ever talking to me or giving me a chance. So, I started “fighting back”.?

Each time I received a rejection notice, I would ask for a coding challenge or any chance to prove my skills. Most of the time it didn’t work. But one time it did work - and it worked magically.?

Trying to get a job at LinkedIn

I’ve heard great things about LinkedIn and its company culture. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any open roles that would be a good fit at the time, but there was one role somewhat related to my field and I decided to apply for it, come what may.?

A couple of days later I received a rejection email from the recruiter. I asked for a coding challenge, just a chance to prove my skills - but I was rejected again. As a last resort, I explained my unusual path to software engineering and asked for a chance again. On my 3rd attempt, the recruiter gave in and invited me to the next round of interviews. I passed the first interview (technical phone screen), went to the onsite, and hilariously failed there.?

I knew I wasn’t qualified and they knew it too. As soon as I got rejected, my recruiter told me “We’ll call you if we have a more suitable opening”. I heard that line many times before, but nobody ever called, so I thanked them for their time and moved on.?

Another chance

I continued with other interviews, happy because at least I was given a chance with LinkedIn when about two weeks later my phone rang. It was my LinkedIn recruiter inviting me to another interview for a more suitable role. I tried hard to stay calm and “be cool” while she explained the next step, but I jumped from joy and accidentally dropped my phone as soon as she hung up ??.

This time the role was a perfect match, and all of my interviews went well. I wasn't sure that was good enough, but at least I was at peace because I gave it everything I had.

On July 14, 2017, I was walking down Market Street in San Francisco to meet my wife and go pick up our daughter from daycare. Just as we were about to meet, my recruiter called to tell me I got the job. I don’t remember what I said. Quite frankly, I don't remember most of what she said either. I just remember running towards my wife and giving her a big hug. I didn’t have to say anything, she knew right away.?

What's the point anyway?

So why am I telling you all this? If I could teach a single skill to everyone I ever meet it would be this - don’t wait until you’re ready or qualified. Just do it. Apply for that job. You never know where it might lead you.?

All you need is just one “yes”. Don’t stress too much about “no”. Remember - every “no” is one step closer to a “yes”.?

I am forever grateful to Mark Lee who gave me a referral even though we never met before. To Sam McLeod who let me take that first interview even though I wasn’t qualified. To Kate Parton who guided me through two full onsite interviews and called me to tell me I got the job. To James Gatenby who was my first software engineering manager and mentor. And to Anant Rao who helped me get another interview after I failed that first one.

If you like this article and would like to learn more, follow me on LinkedIn or visit https://careercompass.dev/