In May, Andrew Chen could not stop thinking about ticking watches. He was just a few weeks from receiving his The degree of computer science From the University of California to San Die – and still has not arranged a job.
Then a glimpse of hope landed in his mailbox: an electronic letter from Amazon, inviting him to interview him The role of software development After 10 days. He knew that he could not spend this opportunity, so he made a plan: to skip in his room to study – and document his preparation for a large day on a tiktok in order to hold himself accountable.
“I canceled all my social obligations, locked myself in my room and mainly left the house to have lunch,” said the 22-year-old. “I thought if I do not receive this work, it is all for nothing.”
Chen among many Recent college graduates who struggled to find a job. As of June, the most recent available data, 4.8% of Americans aged 22 to 27 years from at least the resulting degree of bachelor were unemployed, than 4.0% unemployment among a wider population of working age, which back with a typical trend in recent decades.
These problems reflect a broader slowdown in hiring, which especially diligently reached the initial level. Against the background of the uncertainty of tariffs and the early consequences of AI, American companies have been hired in one of the slowest steps since 2014. Technological specialists, including Graduates of computer sciences Like Chen, especially injured, with dismissal in companies such as Amazon, Google and MicrosoftThe field is actually in US development. Rejected More than 70% of their peak in 2022.
While some new graduates are still looking for, others, such as Chen, used a creative search for work and Interview preparation strategies To provide offers.
Almost refuse the development of software
Chen began to look for permanent work in the summer of 2024. As a computer science specialist, he always assumed that he began his career in the field of software development. But after filing an application for more than 400 jobs and with all his might trying to get traction, he expanded his search, including the management of the product and the role of the design.
But he did not refuse to develop software. In the period from September 2024 to the beginning of February 2025, Chen turned to several roles to develop software in Amazon.
In mid-February, he was asked to complete the online estimate of one of the roles, to which he turned, he was still not sure what kind of such a boat included the coding test and behavioral issues. He thought that he had succeeded – the news that he excitedly shared with his parents – but since last months he had never received an updated update about the status of his statement.
“My parents will continue to ask for updates about Amazon Because this is the name of the brand, ”he said. “And I eventually told them that they rejected me, I thought that if I had not heard from them a few months later, this would probably not happen.”
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By the time Amazon turned in May, Chen said that he had deeply entered an interview to manage the product and design roles – and almost completely abandoned the development of software.
An unexpected opportunity to return to his preferred field was welcomed, but his time became a challenge. Having focused on other types of roles, he largely ceased to practice his coding skills and should have been growing rapidly to the interview.
Publishing on Tiktok to hold yourself accountable
Chen had only 10 days to prepare – and still had to spend time for an interview with other companies, in addition to school exams and final projects. Thus, he developed an attack plan, dividing his days into blocks for Coding practice on leetcodebehavioral training and training for other interviews.
He intended to read everything that he could, on platforms such as Reddit and Blind, about the process of interviews Amazon and the experience of past candidates, practice general technical issues, study the principles of company management and remember Star format Personal stories that illustrated how he embodied these values.
“It was the first major company to give me a chance for some time,” he said, “so I really wanted to get it.”
But to pull out all this seemed frightening, and Chen felt that he needed something to help him remain motivated. Then he had an idea. He was interested in creating content on social networks, but published only a few tiktoks. What if he began to document his preparation for an interview with Amazon? He believed that publicly updating updates to Tiktok, he would add what pressure he needed to remain locked – and, possibly, even attract tips from others that went through the process.
On May 19, Chen published a Tiktok with the inscription “10 days before Carng The final interview: “Share how much he did, how many classes he missed, how many caffeine he consumed, and how many souls he took. He followed him with similar updates in the following days.
Chen said that his video, which received up to 2.6 million views, caused a wide range of reactions, including skepticism, that he could take on a role, given his limited training time.
“The video brought many doubts from the audience, but, fortunately, there are also a lot of advice and support,” he said.
Preparation for behavioral issues turned out to be important
When the day of the interview came at the end of May, Chen was excited and deprived of sleep. He said his Amazon “Loop” Interview process consisted of three virtual interviews with small breaks. The first round was devoted to technical issues, the second in behavioral scenarios related to the principles of the leadership of the Amazon, and the third included a combination of both.
“I thought that these few hours would determine whether I work,” he said.
Chen gradually settled when the day came and left the interview, feeling that he had done everything possible. On June 3, shortly after the end of his third interview with the day for Namazon’s roles, he saw a notification by e -mail on his phone. He received an offer from Amazon with a salary with sixth -digit.
On June 5, Chen published a Tiktok with news that received more than 941,000 views. He graduated in mid-June and after moving to New York, he began to work full time in July.
Chen said that his largest conclusion from the interview with Amazon was the company's accent on behavioral issues related to his leadership principles – what he felt playing on his strengths.
“They care very much about your success stories outside your technical experience,” he said. “I think I am the best speaker than the encoder, so I was very excited by it.”
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“Many times I felt hopeless, but I think this is really a game of numbers,” he said. “You just need to contact everything you qualified for.”
