Hi all, first post here as I’m sick of using Gemini for closure.
So first off, I’m a Frontend Engineer based in Berlin. I changed careers in Summer 2023 when I did a Fullstack Developer Bootcamp. Really happy I did, as I love it and I’m obsessed with coding. However, since then, I’m being supported by the Jobcenter as I’ve been unable to get a fulltime job.
I work on my own projects, do open source work for charities and worked at a small startup last year but only for 6 months, and it had to be part-time at the same wage as a working student as the CEO couldn’t afford more. This meant I still needed to be supported by the Jobcenter. The contract ended because the CEO didn’t have funds to extend it.
Anyway recently I interviewed at two companies and had similar experiences so I’m wondering if anyone can help me how I proceed with interviews
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#Company 1
Fast forward to February 2026, I start interviewing for this company who wants a Frontend Engineer with 2-3 years experience. I think perfect that’s me.
I do: Personality Test -> Interview with HR -> Interview with Engineering Manager -> Technical Interview with Team.
When I did the 1hr technical interview, they started by saying that some of these questions will be very hard and it’s completely ok if you don’t know the answers. To my surprise, I was able to answer every question and they keep saying how impressed they were. There was even a coding exercise and when I solved it, the interviewer said he was speechless. After the interview I thought, I’ve absolutely nailed this. A week went by, the company didn’t respond. I ask for an update and they said:
"sorry for the delay.
But due to business trips etc. we need a bit more time to discuss a few things on this part.
I will get back to you as soon as we agreed on how to proceed."
Not to worry I thought and I knew the last interview would be with the Head of Engineering. Another week went by and I heard nothing. I asked for any update and they said thanks but we’re not choosing you for this position.
I was in complete shock due to all the compliments the interviewers gave me in the tech interview and can only presume that they ran out of budget for the position?
I asked for feedback but I didn’t get it
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#Company 2
After the situation with Company 1, I managed to find another company and get an interview for a Frontend Engineer position (they wanted +3 years experience, I have 2.5exp).
First interview went well and proceeded to the next interview which was a chat with the Head of Engineering. I was extremely swift booking these as well. As soon as I got the invitation, I would select the timeslot that was the next day.
During the interview with the Head of Engineering, he asks me various questions. Not entirely sure if I nailed all of them but for example when he asked me how I would debug a Hydration error in Nuxt, I gave a very detailed answer. After my answer he said it was very in depth and he was thinking of something more surface-level. He then asked about my experience and I told him that I led a restructure at the startup I worked for. He seemed in disbelief but I clarified it was a very small startup and I was the only Frontend Engineer, to which he understood and I said that it meant I had to learn very fast. Towards the end he noted that the interview became more technical than he intended as when I spoke about my experiences we would discuss the tech and approaches.
At the end of the interview, he told me about the Case Study which would be the next stage of the process. He went in depth about what kind of questions to expect, and to only spend 1-2 hours on it. He also mentioned he’s not sure who will lead it but it might be him and he’ll give his feedback as soon as possible.
A week later I didn’t hear anything from them and I emailed them for an update. A few days later, the Head of Engineering emailed me saying that they’ve gone for other candidates.
Again I was shocked. I didn’t feel like I failed the interview as he seemed impressed with my experience and he gave me a big heads up with the Case Study.
Again asked for feedback, didn’t get it.
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So I don’t know what’s happening but it’s incredibly frustrating as I just want a Frontend job and am sick of still being supported by the Jobcenter.
In a week’s time I have an interview for a Junior Frontend Dev role but now I’m scared that the same thing will happen. I feel like I’ll have to hide my knowledge somehow?
So interested in your thoughts as all I’ve used for closure is Gemini and it keeps hallucinating haha