2024 is tough for junior frontend developers.
I know because I get DMs daily from devs who can't find a job.
Even when they're trying hard, most are making costly mistakes that make their chances of getting hired close to zero.
Let's change that.
In this post, I'll share 7 mistakes junior devs make—and exactly what to do instead.
👉 Learn how to become a Senior Frontend Engineer without a CS Degree or natural talent ✨
Mistake 1: You're Applying Without a Plan
Sending out hundreds of generic applications everywhere and hoping one of them sticks? That's not a strategy—it's burnout waiting to happen.
Here's why it doesn't work:
Generic applications don't stand out. Recruiters can tell.
Rejections crush confidence. And desperation shows.
You're wasting time. Time spent applying could be used to sharpen your interview skills.
What to do instead:
Target companies. Choose ones that excite you and align with your skills.
Do your homework. Check the LinkedIn profiles of employees to see where you fit.
Tailor your resume. Customize it for every job description.
Network smartly. Connect with people at your target companies on LinkedIn.
Ask for referrals or advice. Many people are happy to help, but you need to ask.
Real-Life Example:
In 2018, I got a job offer from Pinterest by simply messaging an employee on LinkedIn.
Mistake 2: Your LinkedIn Profile is a Mess (or Nonexistent)
If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, you're invisible to recruiters.
Why LinkedIn matters:
It's where recruiters search for candidates.
It's a goldmine for researching roles and employees.
How to fix it 🛠️:
Make sure your profile includes:
Location. Be specific.
Education. Where you studied and what you studied.
Experience. Projects, internships, and accomplishments.
Summary. A compelling pitch about why you're the perfect hire.
Pro Tip: Not sure where to start? Watch this video from an ex-Google recruiter for practical tips.
Mistake 3: You're Not Networking Enough
"It's not what you know; it's who you know."
This isn't just a cliché—it's how the hiring world works.
Job portals are crowded, and standing out there is almost impossible 😬.
What to do instead:
-
Tap into your alumni network. If you went to college, connect with alumni for referrals or advice.
Example: In 2017, I contacted a Google alum from my school. His guidance helped me get job offers from Palantir and Pinterest.
Leverage social media. Use LinkedIn, Reddit, or even Twitter. Be polite and direct—skip the "Hi" messages and get straight to your ask.
Mistake 4: Your Profile is Generic
Most junior dev profiles look like this:
MERN Developer. Next.js fan. I love building websites.
It's forgettable. Recruiters spend only 6-8 seconds on a resume (source).
How to stand out:
Highlight your unique qualities. For instance, I'm a Black woman with strong tech experience, which makes me stand out in a sea of male programmers.
Showcase challenges you've overcome. It shows resilience.
Prove why you're the best fit. Use concrete examples instead of buzzwords like "hard-working" or "passionate."
Mistake 5: You Have Unrealistic Expectations
Here's the truth:
If you have zero experience, holding out for a high-paying, fully remote job with perfect 9-to-5 hours is unrealistic.
What to do instead:
Get any relevant experience first.
Highlight that experience on your resume.
Look for better roles once you have a solid foundation.
It's easier to negotiate when you're not worried about paying rent.
Mistake 6: You're Not Technically Prepared
This one's obvious but often overlooked.
Don't spend weeks landing an interview just to fail it because you weren't ready.
Before interviewing, ensure you:
Know the basics. Depending on the job, this could mean DSA (data structures and algorithms) or core technologies (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, libraries like React).
Practice interviews. Try mock interviews with friends, online platforms like Prepfully, or AI tools.
How to handle rejection:
Even with preparation, you might fail. I've failed Google and Goldman Sachs interviews but still landed two great offers.
What matters is learning from failure and improving for the next round.
Mistake 7: You Lack Soft Skills
Even the most technically brilliant devs struggle to get hired if they lack soft skills.
Key soft skills to master:
Communication. Use the STAR framework to explain your achievements clearly.
Likability. Be someone people want to work with. Don't badmouth past employers or experiences.
Curiosity. Always ask thoughtful questions during interviews—it shows genuine interest.
Summary
Breaking into tech is tough, but it's possible.
If you avoid these 7 mistakes, you'll rise above the competition and get closer to landing your dream job.
Stay focused, stay consistent, and most importantly—don't give up.
💡 My tip of the week
💡 Food for thought
That's a wrap 🎉.
Leave a comment 📩 to share a mistake you made (and how you overcame it).
And don't forget to drop a "💖🦄🔥".
If you're learning React, download my 101 React Tips & Tricks book for FREE.
If you like articles like this, join my FREE newsletter, FrontendJoy.
If you want daily tips, find me on X/Twitter.
Top comments (30)
This is a great article!
I'd like to add that you should update your GitHub profile. And, work on side projects that you care about, and keep them public — don't hide your awesome work...or your flaws. Be proud of what you've learned.
Also, don't try to sound like all the cool kids - be yourself. Be honest, human and....be you.
Just my two cents 🙈
This seems to be increasingly important. I often see job posts now that list "GitHub profile showing off your code" as a plus. I don't recall ever seeing that before a year or two ago.
As an interviewer myself, I always check GitHub links when I find them on resumes, and they do help candidates stand out.
That is very good to know Randall!
I wouldn’t have guessed that! What type of activity do you like to see?
The main thing I want to know is whether they have built something significant and valuable, whether they can "walk the walk". So I look at their projects, pick one that stands out, glance at the README and learn about it, and then glance through some code. If the project solves a real problem and/or at least looks well-built, then I'm happy.
I only have a few minutes at most, so it is a rapid judgment. I never think worse of a candidate after seeing their GitHub. Maybe if the quality was truly horrible I might, but I don't remember that happening (and I'd check the project's age too, and give them a break if it's old).
That makes sense!
These are all great advice @itsmeseb 😀
I was sad when facing rejection. Some people laughed after me.
You lost confidence and self esteem. You must persevere by loving, dedicating, and embedding in many projects.
At least, you will gain in experiences and esteems.
Yes!
That also happened between 2016 and 2018. The job market wasn't bad, but I didn't have the right skills.
I faced many rejections before landing a job at Palantir.
Right.
In 2024, I hired a round of junior developers - for three roles, we had many hundreds of applicants, and we stopped reviewing resumes after 150 - so getting in early is also essential. These three roles were for very early stage juniors, either first or second job in the industry with a focus on JavaScript and React. We wanted to shortlist people who could demonstrate and explain their own work well, so the next review of documentation ruled out people with only personal profile websites or very generic To/Do app projects.
Personally, I couldn't care less about DSA in the recruitment of juniors; I care about the ability to deliver - so after a series of calls to assess fit, we tested people's JavaScript knowledge and React knowledge with a series of tests developed internally that highlight our coding standards and frequent patterns. The tests comprise a series of code fragments that an examiner walks though and asks the how and why about each one, they start simple and end up in pretty intricate patterns.
After the test step, we ended up with only 5 people at the final round, which was discussing a project they'd already made and defending its architecture. We chose three out of the 5; 4 people made the cut, so it was a dice roll and personal fit that made the final selection.
I guess from that my summary is: Write a CV or resume that details the projects you've worked on and highlights how you feel you can contribute; only apply for jobs that you have some demonstrable experience - there will be hundreds of applicants with relevant experience, you'll be cut if you can't show competence in the recruiting company's stack. Be personable, be honest about the extent of your knowledge, but brush up on the details for examinations.
Do more projects, make things - don't copy other people's projects because you won't understand them enough.
This is an amazing reply! Thanks for sharing your perspectives 😃!
This is so different from my experience.
At Palantir, we can afford to train junior devs (the most critical skill they need is to learn quickly and be comfortable with CS basics).
If they don't know the stack, it is okay.
But applying early still gives you a leg up!
Yes it's great if you can train - we have a 3 month boot camp to get people onto our framework, but it requires you know JavaScript and have at least an understanding of the principles of React. Our devs end up being able to work full stack, we have JS front and back end with a very declarative API, but our training also helps to decide which side of the line people should spend most of their time.
That is amazing Mike 🙌
That is very practical! It must help people focus on your strengths. Do you have job postings or others I can share with my +2,000 X followers?
I know that technical expertise doesn't lie. Either you master or not. It is about making a task efficiently. Anything else !
True!
This article really resonates with the challenges of navigating job rejections. One thing I’ve found helpful during such times is focusing on building new skills or side projects that can add to my portfolio. I worked on improving my understanding of app ecosystems like CapCut, and I even compiled resources on my website for those interested in free, user-friendly video editing tools.
That is very interesting @hildegardrafey 😀
Do you have target companies?
Why do you prefer to be employee when you can become boss? Why not do startups?
That is a good point. Every person should do what works for them!
Yes, lots of programmers are too focused on coding and lack soft skills, especially good communication.
You said it well David 🙌
That is a must have skill
so 😢
It doesn't have to stay sad. There is always room for progress :)
I hope you will find a good job soon
Helpful article. Thanks for sharing, Ndeye! 🙌🏻
Glad you like it Shefali 🙌
Well Written!
Thanks Akash 🙌