The CS market is rough right now, and I wanted to be real about what I’d do differently if I had to start recruiting from zero again. In this video I break the whole process into three parts: how to stand out when applying, how to actually crush interviews, and how to navigate the tech space (including startups) to create your own opportunities. My biggest application takeaways are simple but underrated: apply insanely early (like within 3 hours of a posting), tailor your resume to the job description, and accept that there’s always a little bit of luck involved. I also go through what’s actually worked for me: building relevant side projects (it’s way easier now with AI), having a “spike” you’re known for (full stack, backend, ML systems, etc.), and making your resume ATS-readable with selectable text. I show how I pack my resume to the brim, bold keywords recruiters want (Python, React, SQL, etc.), and even why your graduation year can help. For interviews, I talk OAs (practice LeetCode—there’s no hack), behavioral (STAR method + know your resume), and technical (treat the interviewer like a collaborator). And if you’re overlooking startups, you’re missing out—dig through VC portfolio companies, reach out directly, and build in public so people can validate what you’re shipping.