Answers
One question per page — the answer first, the numbers named.
- July 19, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
How long does it take to find a job in 2026?
Plan for three to seven months — longer if you spray. New grads report 7–9 months and 200–400 applications per offer (CNN Business, Aug 2025). The faster pattern: fewer, targeted applications with proof, sent early.
Read the answer - July 21, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
Do employers actually read cover letters anymore?
Most do — 83% of hiring managers read them even when optional (Resume Genius, 2025). But 36% spend under 30 seconds, so the first sentence decides everything. Customization matters more than length.
Read the answer - July 22, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
How many jobs should I apply to per week?
Ten real applications per week beats a hundred sprayed ones. Real means fresh listings, proof attached, and a reason you fit. Volume without targeting is not a strategy — it is a shredder.
Read the answer - July 23, 2026 · 5 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
What should I put on a résumé with no experience?
Lead with projects that have outcomes, not education. List specific skills you have used. Skip soft skills and objective statements. One link to a project a reviewer can open does more than any paragraph.
Read the answer - July 24, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
What is an ATS?
An applicant tracking system collects, sorts, and stores résumés. Most large companies use one. It does not hire anyone — it filters the pipeline so recruiters search faster. Know how it works and you stay visible.
Read the answer - July 25, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
Is it worth applying to a job with 500+ applicants?
Usually not — unless you apply in the first 48 hours with proof attached. After that, your résumé sits under a growing pile. A reposted role is a better bet than an old listing with high volume.
Read the answer - July 26, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
How do I follow up on a job application?
Wait one week, then send one brief email to the hiring manager or recruiter. State the role, restate your fit in one line, and attach your proof link. One follow-up is professional. More than two is noise.
Read the answer - July 27, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
Should I apply to jobs I'm not fully qualified for?
Apply if you meet 60–70% of requirements and can prove the rest. Most listings describe a perfect candidate who does not exist. The gap between required and preferred is opportunity — if you have evidence.
Read the answer - July 28, 2026 · 5 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
How do I negotiate salary as a new grad?
Negotiate — 85% of employers expect it. Anchor with market data, not personal need. Ask for 10–20% above the offer, justify it with one concrete achievement, and stop talking. Silence is the strongest close.
Read the answer - August 5, 2026 · 5 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
What salary should I ask for as a junior in 2026?
Ask for $72,000–$91,000 base for a junior software role in the US. Total comp at large tech companies runs $100,000–$140,000 with equity. Location and company tier matter more than your script.
Read the answer - August 7, 2026 · 6 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
Do companies actually hire without degrees in 2026?
Yes — but the gap between promise and practice is wide. 85% of employers claim skills-based hiring, yet Harvard found fewer than 1 in 700 hires went to candidates without degrees. Real change needs proof, not policy.
Read the answer - August 8, 2026 · 5 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
How do I write a résumé an ATS can read?
No major ATS auto-rejects for formatting. Recruiters spend 6–10 seconds scanning, and knockout questions filter before your résumé is read. Use standard fonts, one column, and match the job's exact language.
Read the answer - August 9, 2026 · 6 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
Are bootcamp grads getting hired in 2026?
Yes — 79% land tech roles within six months. But the hiring bar has risen since 2021. The bootcamp gets you through the door. What you build after it decides whether you stay.
Read the answer - August 15, 2026 · 5 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
How long should a senior engineer's résumé be?
Two pages. The one-page rule is for entry-level candidates. At the senior level, depth beats brevity — but every line must earn its place.
Read the answer - August 17, 2026 · 4 min read · Matthew LaCrosse
How do I write a LinkedIn headline as a senior engineer?
Write for search, not style. Recruiters type keywords like 'Staff Engineer Python AWS' — and LinkedIn returns headlines that match. Lead with your title, follow with your specialty, end with proof. Skip adjectives.
Read the answer