Junior Developer Simulator
A glimpse into my life as a college grad who has applied to over a hundred jobs in the last year and gotten no interviews
I graduated from college in June of 2023. I started applying for jobs in my field around January so I would be able to work over the summer and avoid moving into my Mom’s house. Since then I’ve sent out over a hundred job applications to junior jobs in my field as well as other low-level jobs including restaurant staff, delivery driver positions, floor sales at department stores, and many more.
I’m still unemployed.
With all of my personal development, knowledge, skill, and personality, I only seem skilled enough to tutor AI so it can take my job someday. I’d love to abstain on moral grounds, but I truly can’t. There is no alternative.
Without Medi-Cal, I’d have no health care. Without my Mom, I’d have no home. I’m incredibly thankful for both. I have plenty to complain about sure, but I can’t let that overshadow what I’m thankful to still have.
Without the student loan income-based repayment plan I would have already filed for bankruptcy. So I sit in horror as the dam continues to fill hoping it doesn’t break.
Nothing crushes the spirit more than applying to jobs online. Succumbing to dementors would be gentler on the soul.
Feedback is everything. It’s how you judge where you are, how you are doing, where you should be, and how to improve. With online applications I find myself struggling to prove I existed at all.
Of the applications I’ve sent out, only around 40% of the positions respond. 100% of those responses are rejections with 95% of them copy-pasted. No interview, no conversation, nothing.
I’ve made countless resumes and cover letters. I’ve reached out to friends, family, and anyone who might be able to help. I’ve done conferences, job fairs, and so on. The only people who have taken my name are the other unemployed. The juniors.
I’m not mad at recruiters, hiring managers, or even the companies. We know not the criteria in which we are judged. We know not the machinations that lead to success or failure.
I can only speak from the perspective of someone who is under the foot of the machine. I stand amongst hordes of people, my colleagues, who are being crushed by its weight. Our humanity is ground down to nothing but grey matter and deemed unworthy.
The companies continue to tout how many jobs they have open and how great it is to work there. “You should totally apply again!” Yet the goalpost remains elusive.
I’ve put together a small art piece I call “A compilation of unfortunate regrettable messages.” It’s a compilation of all the feedback I’ve gotten since I started applying for jobs.
Enjoy.
A Compilation of Unfortunate Regrettable Messages
By Nick Pastoria
I apologize for the sour article. I was recently in a pretty bad car crash, and have been suffering quite a bit due to a lack of quality insurance. My car was totaled, and I don’t think I’ll be able to get another one even with the money I get back.
Fortunately, my body is ok and I made it out without any broken bones!
I felt like this would be relatable for a lot of other young people in the same position as I am. Sometimes the best way to get the feelings out is to share them.
Have hope, and stay strong!
Nick
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Very relatable! Sorry to hear about the crash, but I’m glad you’re okay.