Understanding Job Application Rejections in Entry-Level React Roles: Insights and Reflection
Navigating job interviews, especially for entry-level development positions, can be a challenging and sometimes disheartening experience. Recently, I participated in a second interview for a junior React developer role, and I wanted to share my experience, reflect on where I might have gone wrong, and seek advice from the community.
Here’s a brief overview of the scenario I faced:
The Task:
The interview involved a technical challenge where I had to conceptualize and explain how I would build a React form component. The form needed to include three required inputs—first name, last name, and email—with specific requirements:
– A maximum character limit (160 characters) for the first name, with a live character count
– Submission handling and validation before sending
– Accessibility features, including proper labels and ARIA labels
– Visual indicators (red asterisks) for required fields
– Error messages displayed under fields if validation fails
– Simulate sending data to a third-party service that checks for existing emails, returning a JSON response
My Approach in the Limited Time (30 Minutes):
– Started by creating a new Git branch for the component
– Reviewed existing code to understand integration points
– Planned the component structure: I chose a single form component for simplicity
– Built the skeleton, focusing on state management using React hooks
– Implemented change handlers to unify input handling with dynamic state updates
– Used native HTML attributes for required fields and placeholders, prioritizing clarity
– Hardcoded the red asterisk in labels for simplicity
– Developed a basic validation function: trimming inputs, regex for email validation, and setting error states accordingly
– Managed validation errors via an errors object in state, conditionally rendering messages
Due to time constraints, I did not extend into advanced features like async email validation, loading states, or comprehensive testing, but I outlined how I would handle these in a real-world scenario.
Post-Interview Feedback and Reflection:
The interviewers appreciated my approach but concluded that my skills weren’t sufficiently deep for their needs, especially for tasks they expected to be handled at a more advanced level. I received no detailed feedback beyond that, which leaves me questioning my standing.
Questions and Self-Assessment:
– Did I fail to meet their expectations in technical depth?
– Was my lack of professional experience a significant factor?
– Did I overlook any critical aspects, such as handling
