Frontend developer with 4+ years struggling to land interviews - what should I do next?

Frontend
1

I’m reaching out because I’m really struggling with my job search right now and could use some guidance from this community.

I have about 4 years of frontend development experience, all remote work. My background includes working at a startup in India for about a year, then spending over 3 years at an eCommerce company based in the UK.

For the past month I’ve been actively job hunting. I’ve sent out applications to more than 40 companies but the response has been terrible. Got rejected by 10 of them and the others just ignored my applications completely. This is so different from a few years ago when I was getting multiple interview calls and offers.

I’m mostly targeting remote positions outside India since the pay is much better. But it seems like companies now prefer hiring locally which wasn’t the case before.

The Indian market is frustrating too. Most offers don’t go beyond 15L even though my previous salary was higher. Plus everyone expects you to be good at algorithms and data structures which I really don’t enjoy.

I’m trying to figure out my next move. Should I spend months preparing for algorithmic interviews even though I hate them? Maybe start doing open source work to get noticed? Or just accept a lower paying job for now?

I’m also wondering if I should keep focusing on JavaScript roles that I’m strong at, or force myself to learn React better even though I prefer Vue.

Money wise I’m fine for now with savings and some investments I can sell. But this whole situation is really getting to me mentally.

I think I made a mistake staying in eCommerce for so long working with platforms like Shopify and Magento. Now I feel like these skills aren’t valued much and I’ve limited my options.

What would you do if you were in my situation? Any advice would be really helpful.

2

honestly the market is brutal right now, same thing happened to me last year. maybe try reaching out to recruiters on linkedin instead of just applying cold? also your shopify/magento experience is actually pretty solid - lots of agencies need that stuff. dont stress about react vs vue too much, good devs can pick up new frameworks quickly.

3

The job market has indeed become more challenging recently, and you’re not alone in this struggle. Companies are often seeking local candidates for remote positions due to budget constraints and compliance issues. However, your experience with platforms such as Shopify and Magento is valuable; consider targeting eCommerce agencies or SaaS firms that develop tools for online retail, as they require developers familiar with these platforms. Additionally, there’s no need to force yourself to learn React if you prefer Vue; focus on companies that utilize Vue or are open to various frameworks. Deep expertise is often prioritized over broad knowledge, especially for senior positions. When it comes to algorithm interviews, focus on applying to firms that align with your current strengths first, as startups and mid-sized companies typically value practical experience over theoretical problem-solving skills. You might also want to explore freelancing opportunities, as they can provide solid work and may lead to full-time roles.

4

Wait, you said you got multiple offers before - what’s different now? Did you change your resume or keep the same format? Also, when did you start applying? If it was during the holidays, that’d explain why companies aren’t responding.