How I Landed My First iOS Developer Job After a Year of Struggles

Breaking into the tech industry is rarely a smooth journey, and for me, finding my first job as an iOS developer was no exception. After a year of relentless job searching, numerous failed interviews, and countless hours of self-improvement, I finally secured my first opportunity. In this article, I want to share my experience and insights to help others who are on a similar path.

The Struggle of the Job Search

After dedicating myself to learning iOS development, building personal projects, and expanding my skills, I believed I was ready for the job market. However, I quickly realized that landing a job as a junior developer was far more challenging than I had anticipated.

For an entire year, I applied to countless positions, attended multiple interviews, and faced rejection after rejection. Many of the interviews went poorly — not because I lacked passion, but because I wasn’t fully prepared for the technical questions and coding challenges that companies expected candidates to handle.

Learning from My Mistakes

Rather than letting rejection discourage me, I decided to turn every failed interview into a learning opportunity. I started documenting every question I was asked during interviews in a dedicated file. This allowed me to identify recurring topics, understand my weaknesses, and focus on improving specific areas.

Additionally, I compiled a collection of coding exercises based on the problems I encountered in technical interviews. By consistently practicing these problems, I not only improved my coding skills but also became more comfortable with the types of challenges typically presented in interviews.

Gaining Experience Through Low-Paid Projects

During my job search, I also took on small projects where I was paid very little. While the financial compensation was almost insignificant, I saw these opportunities as a way to gain experience and expand my knowledge. My goal at the time was to learn rather than earn, so I decided to accept these projects, knowing that they would help me sharpen my skills and improve my portfolio. Looking back, I believe this decision was crucial in accelerating my growth as a developer.

The Importance of Personal Projects

One of the most valuable things I did during this time was continuing to work on personal projects. These projects allowed me to:

• Apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

• Demonstrate my ability to build functional applications.

• Showcase my problem-solving skills and creativity.

While many of my personal apps never made it to the App Store, they served as proof of my capabilities when discussing my experience with recruiters and hiring managers.

Expanding My Network

Realizing that job applications alone weren’t enough, I focused on networking. I became more active on LinkedIn, connected with other developers, and engaged in discussions about iOS development. Sharing my progress and experiences on LinkedIn helped me get noticed by recruiters and industry professionals.

Collaborating with other junior developers also played a crucial role. Working on small projects with peers not only strengthened my technical skills but also provided valuable experience in teamwork and communication — skills that are just as important as coding in a professional environment.

The Breakthrough: From Rejection to My First Job

One of the most difficult moments of my journey happened on my birthday, January 30th. That day, I was “let go” from a small project I had been working on. Feeling devastated, I decided to take a leap of faith and sent an email to the HR department of my current company. To my surprise, they responded quickly and scheduled an interview within a few days.

The interview went exceptionally well, and their interest in me was so strong that I received a call later that same day — I had officially landed my first job as an iOS developer! That moment was the culmination of all my efforts, struggles, and perseverance, proving that consistency truly pays off.

Advice for Aspiring iOS Developers

If you’re currently searching for your first job in iOS development, here’s my advice:

1. Learn from every rejection — Treat each interview as a learning opportunity and keep track of the questions you’re asked.

2. Practice coding challenges — Many companies test problem-solving skills, so regularly practicing algorithmic questions is essential.

3. Build and showcase your projects — Even unpublished apps can serve as a portfolio to demonstrate your abilities.

4. Be willing to work on small projects — Even if the pay is low, gaining experience is invaluable in the early stages.

5. Network and engage with the community — LinkedIn, GitHub, and developer forums can help you connect with professionals and find opportunities.

6. Stay persistent — The job search can be tough, but with consistency and perseverance, the right opportunity will come.

7. Don’t be afraid to take initiative — Sometimes, reaching out directly to companies can open unexpected doors.

Looking Forward

Now that I’ve secured my first role, my journey as an iOS developer is just beginning. In my next article, I’ll discuss how to navigate the first few months on the job, adapt to a professional development environment, and continue growing as a developer. Stay tuned!