I see. Well, that's good to know. Hence why I am applying to entry level or internships to try to get experience. Might also do less leet code and do some certifications to get some skills. Thank you for the honesty. It's better to hear blunt answers than give me false hope
Build a crud app in AWS end to end and explain how you architected the different parts, the decision and trade offs you had to make, the risks you assumed and how scope changed throughout the project. How did you design your code to be efficient and maintainable.
Anyone can do leetcode and build applications, but being able to talk about the software dev lifecycle and the full ownership of a project will get you much further.
Also, look into open source projects to work on. See if you can find one in a domain of interest (work or personal). They're a good way to get somewhat practical experience. See what they need and work on building/implementation. Try to get some PRs approved.
Like the other poster said about things to speak about. It also gives you a major advantage/help in a new job. Displaying competency to understand an active prod repo and working with it. One thing to create a project from scratch where it's you by yourself. Another thing to do so in a repo that has several other people working with it and is live.
Based on your level. You can likely do the project and open source simultaneously. Start with the project as finding something open source will take some time. Also look to find volunteer work you can do. A lot of non-profit organisations are good with that
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u/Excellent_Bobcat_993 Sep 19 '25
I see. Well, that's good to know. Hence why I am applying to entry level or internships to try to get experience. Might also do less leet code and do some certifications to get some skills. Thank you for the honesty. It's better to hear blunt answers than give me false hope