[1 YOE] Software Engineer - Roughly 1 interview a week but no offers yet, need feedback on resume strength
TLDR at bottom
Self taught Full Stack SWE / Web Developer. Over a year now I've worked an unpaid internship but I just list it as a job because I believe my responsibilities and work there justify it, so my resume should read as a 1 YOE (and I can back that up come interview time). Trying to get my first real SWE job.
Located Denver, applying to only in-person/hybrid in my area since remote seems like a waste of time as entry level. Former commercial pilot, self taught for 3 years now. US citizen.
I had some websites built and was working the internship but once I got my AWS Dev Associate late last year, I went from zero interviews to consistently 1 interview a week. I just launched a realtime E2EE messaging app on web, apple, android, consumer grade UX, production level, with all the bells and whistles (as in CI/CD, IAC, Testing, serverless).
But still haven't gotten an offer yet. Some interviews seem to go well and then it's a no (made it to 3rd, 4th rounds a few times). Some sure, don't go as well and I brush up on what I flubbed. But I feel strong in most interviews, yet still no offers. I feel like my portfolio should be strong enough, but apparently not? I would love to know who I'm losing out against, how does my resume compare. Is this good enough.
I have good social skills and my former commercial pilot career I feel like should make me stand out.
I go to the monthly dev meet-ups in my area and talk to everyone, but the few people looking to hire always want senior. I try to be active on linkedin and networking.
I've overhauled my resume to be better formatted, and to try to STAR my accomplishments as much as possible. I hit the ATS buzzwords, and sell myself as unique and hard working.
Anyways thanks.
TLDR 1yoe, self taught, aws dev cert and production grade mobile chat app. 1 interview a week, but no offers yet. Is my resume not strong enough yet to get more interviews or offers.
Posted Feb 16, 2026, 3:05 AM UTC