Stuck in job hunt loop? Try this instead!
Stop focusing on shortcuts and hacks. Build real skills, ship projects, and show proof of work. The job will follow.
I see a lot of people in community groups asking the same thing:
How do I apply?
How do I make an ATS-friendly resume?
How do I get more callbacks as freshers?
It feels like we're trying to win the job hunt with shortcuts. Formatting tricks, keyword stuffing, fancy templates.
While skipping the part that actually changes your chances: building real skills and proof of work.
Here's my take: If you care about your domain, care about the companies you want to join, and care about your growth, then your focus should be on doing the work.
Ship projects. Fix problems. Write clear case studies. Record short demo videos. Show what you've built, what moved a metric, what you learned when something broke.
Most of the people I've seen grow fast are not asking for hacks every day. They put their heads down and work.
They learn one or two core things very well, and they stay curious about the rest. When they apply, they're not just sending a document, they're sending proof.
Some simple anchors you can hold:
Build: pick one project that matters, finish it, and write what you learned.
Show: add GitHub/Figma/case study links so people can see your thinking.
Write: one clear page, problem, approach, impact. That's your best "resume."
Repeat: small projects stacked over months beat one perfect portfolio you never ship.
If you apply after spending real time in your domain, reading, building, breaking, fixing!
Your chances improve because your signal improves.
You're no longer just a name with a list of tools; you're someone who solves problems. Companies hire that, they are hiring for a change.
The people who stand out do the boring important work:
Writing clean docs, testing their ideas, learning from users, and shipping improvements regularly. It's not exciting in the moment, but it's the stuff that compounds.
So if you're stuck in the loop of applying everywhere and hearing nothing, pause. Cut down the number of applications.
Invest that time in building one solid project and telling its story well. Then apply to fewer roles that match your work. Don't try to look "perfect." Try to look real.
Focus on growing your skills first. Grow as a person second, discipline, patience, consistency. The job will follow. It's slower than a hack, but it's the only path that keeps paying you back.