From December 2024 to June 2025, I sent out over 120 job applications for frontend-related roles.
Yes — one hundred and twenty.
The result?
1 interview — in April
A handful of polite rejections.
The rest? Silence.
And no — is’s not because I didn’t try hard enough. I tailored my CV for each job, wrote custom cover letters, and did my homework. But the reality is: the junior frontend job market in 2025 is nothing like it was five years ago.
The Harsh Reality of the Junior Market in 2025
Let’s cut the sugarcoating — breaking into frontend as a junior in 2025 is the toughest it’s been in a decade.
Why?
- Oversaturation – Thousands of bootcamp grads, course completers, and self-taught devs with GitHubs full of tutorial projects are applying for the same roles.
- No real junior positions – Companies often label a role as “junior” but still expect 2–3 years of experience.
- Automated rejections – Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filter you out before a human even sees your CV.
- Language barrier – In my case, many rejections were because I don’t speak fluent Dutch.
- Overqualification for a junior – Some companies literally told me: “We’ve decided not to move forward because you lack the skills we’re looking for” — for a junior role.
What This Means If You’re Starting Out
If you’re trying to break into frontend today:
- Your projects need to stand out – yet another to-do list app won’t get you noticed.
- Networking is more valuable than your CV – referrals and connections can bypass the crowded application pile.
- Have a Plan B – don’t count on landing your first role straight after a course or degree.
- Expand your skill set – combining frontend with backend, DevOps, or AI can open more doors.
My Takeaways After 120+ Applications
After half a year of constant applications, here’s my game plan:
- Open-source & portfolio – building a blog, showcasing projects with real-world value.
- Networking – LinkedIn, meetups, and dev communities.
- Widening my stack – Next.js, Node.js, eventually DevOps and cloud integrations.
- Radical honesty – accepting that the junior market isn’t what the bootcamp ads promised.
Bottom Line
Can you still get into frontend in 2025 as a junior?
I think so — but not the way it used to be. You’ll need more than just React knowledge and a decent CV.
You’ll need projects that prove your value, a strong network, patience, and the humility to accept that it might take longer than you hoped.
Is it hard?
Yes.
But I’m not giving up.
And if you’re in the same situation — stick around. I’ll keep writing about what the journey really looks like, without the fluff.
