Mark Sianipar spent months job-hunting after graduating from ActivateWork in June 2025, sending out dozens of applications for software roles—many of which went unanswered—before landing a position he loves as a Solutions Engineer with VisionLink, a nonprofit that develops and deploys software platforms for community service management and disaster relief.

We caught up with Mark to learn more about his job search, interview strategies, and how he staved off burnout throughout the process.

What’s one small thing you did during your job search that made a big difference?

Mark: Accepting that I should apply to software development-adjacent roles—that opened up a lot more doors without closing the path to becoming a Software Developer. I started getting more interviews, and in those conversations, I made sure to ask about opportunities to grow into a developer role.

My current role as a Solutions Engineer aligns well with what I learned in the Software Development bootcamp—it is mostly client-facing while still giving me the opportunity to do front-end customization and read other people’s code, which helped ease a lot of that initial imposter syndrome.

Did you hit any roadblocks along the way? How did you work through them?

Mark: One of the biggest roadblocks I ran into was constant rejection. It is mentally taxing and can take a toll on how you see yourself as a candidate.

What helped me work through it was learning not to take each rejection personally, staying consistent with applications, and using it as a chance to improve. I spent time looking back at previous interviews, resumes, and cover letters to identify areas I could strengthen. That included how I projected my voice, how I handled questions that caught me off guard, and how I presented myself on camera.

Over time, making small adjustments in those areas helped me feel more confident and prepared. While it may seem small and even a bit cliché, those incremental improvements really added up and made a noticeable difference.

What do you think helped you stand out as a candidate?

Mark: I think what helped me stand out as a candidate was not just my technical projects, but my experience outside of them. I had been showcasing the projects I built during my two bootcamps for over a year and a half, but the key factor that came up in interviews was my volunteer work as a board member at my church.

That experience showed that I can communicate clearly, understand client/church member needs, and balance those needs with technical limitations and budget constraints. The ability to manage expectations and translate between technical and non-technical perspectives set me apart for a Solutions Engineer role.

At the same time, my ability to understand code and implement front-end changes reinforced that I can still execute on the technical side, which helped round out my candidacy.

What are you enjoying most about your current role and team?

Mark: What I am enjoying most about my current role and team is the mission behind the work. VisionLink’s focus on disaster relief and integrating community services and programs into a single platform to connect people to the resources they need makes the work feel meaningful.

Being able to support communities and individuals who are actively seeking help is gratifying and a constant reminder of the real people I am working for. That sense of purpose carries across the entire team. From helpdesk to leadership, there is a shared understanding that times are tough for a lot of people and that the best way to support communities is to make resources more accessible.

What advice would you give to someone who’s feeling stuck in their job search?

My advice would be not to exhaust yourself and to lean into your network. Stay consistent, but give yourself space so you do not burn out.

One thing that really helped me was staying connected through monthly check-ins with my coach at ActivateWork. I know I am at my worst when it feels like my feet are stuck in the mud, and it seems like I am moving backward. In those moments, getting advice and encouragement from people like Kelli and Emily made a big difference and helped me keep going in my search for a role in tech.

Lean on others, seek honest feedback, and keep putting yourself out there. That combination of support and effort is what helped me get unstuck and eventually land where I am now.