Rejections to 3 Offers in Europe
Well, have you ever sent out dozens of job applications, only to be met with rejection after rejection—or worse, silence?
That’s exactly where Amit, a 31-year-old Data Engineer with 6.5 years of experience, found himself. He dreamed of moving to Europe, picturing a life filled with better opportunities and new adventures. But while his skills and determination were strong, his journey was anything but easy.
The Rough Start: The Month of Rejections
For Amit, August became a month he would never forget—and not for good reasons.
He sent out dozens of job applications, hoping for at least one interview call. But instead of opportunities, his inbox filled with rejection emails—or no responses at all. Some companies didn’t even acknowledge his applications.
With every rejection, Amit’s confidence crumbled. He began questioning himself:
- “Am I good enough?”
- “Why are my applications being ignored?”
- “Is this dream of moving to Europe even realistic?”
What Went Wrong
Here’s where Amit struggled:
- He didn’t understand Europe’s hiring cycles.
August is a holiday season in Europe. Many decision-makers are on vacation, causing hiring to slow down. Amit unknowingly applied during this lull, which meant fewer responses. - His resume lacked clear, quantifiable achievements.
Amit’s resume listed his tasks but didn’t show measurable impact. Recruiters couldn’t see the value he could bring to their teams. - He wasn’t networking effectively.
In Europe, many jobs are filled through referrals or connections. Amit wasn’t leveraging LinkedIn or reaching out to professionals in his field. - He used a one-size-fits-all approach.
Amit’s applications were generic, with the same resume and cover letter sent to every job posting. This made it harder for recruiters to see why he was the perfect fit for their roles.
Turning Point: Lessons Learned
By September, Amit knew he needed a fresh strategy. He joined the Career Designing Academy by the end of August. I advised him to take a step back, analyze his mistakes, and start making changes:
And made critical changes:
- He revamped his resume.
Amit added quantifiable achievements, such as “Improved data processing speed by 40%, reducing project timelines by 20%.” - He learned the importance of timing.
Understanding the European hiring cycles, Amit shifted his focus to applying during peak recruitment months like September and October. - He prioritized networking.
Amit started connecting with recruiters, hiring managers, and peers on LinkedIn. These relationships opened doors he couldn’t access before. - He tailored his applications.
Each resume and cover letter was customized, aligning his skills with the specific job requirements.
The Best Month: 3 Job Offers in Europe
By December, Amit’s efforts paid off in ways he couldn’t have imagined. He received three job offers—from Germany 🇩🇪, France 🇫🇷, and Sweden 🇸🇪—all while sitting in India.
Each offer wasn’t just an opportunity; it was proof that his dream was achievable. Amit had cracked the code of moving abroad.
Why August Mattered
August taught Amit some of the most valuable lessons of his life: Success isn’t just about hard work or skills. It’s about timing, strategy, and persistence.
Had he not experienced those rejections, Amit wouldn’t have learned the changes he needed to make. Those failures became the foundation for his success.
Recruitment Timeline in Europe: A Quick Guide
Here’s how hiring works in Europe throughout the year:
- January–February: High hiring season. Companies start fresh, and job postings flood the market.
- March–May: Momentum builds. Companies prepare for the second half of the year, and interview processes ramp up.
- June–August: Summer slowdown. Hiring slows as decision-makers go on vacation.
- September–October: Peak hiring season. Companies finalize budgets and urgently fill roles before year-end.
- November–December: Mixed activity. Some companies rush to finalize hires; others slow down due to holidays.
The Takeaway
Amit’s story proves that rejections are not the end—they’re just stepping stones to success.
If you’ve been dreaming of moving abroad but feel stuck, remember: The right strategy can turn any rejection into an opportunity.