[toast0]

My first job was a student worker at my school district in Information Services. Got that because my physics teacher put in a word for me (and I interviewed ok).

My first 'real job' out of college was a 'noc techician' at a company a good friend was working at. Although that wasn't a great use of my skills, at least it got me started, and I think there was a chance of moving towards development, eventually.

Next job was through a niche job board.

Since then, I've been hired my original skip level boss from that job twice.

Job interviews are a lot different when they are trying to convince you to join, vs you trying to convince them to let you.

Making an impression on someone who has opportunities for you later can work out well.

I've also had a couple other people reach out for what I think would have been a similarly easy interview for me, but one of them I didn't want to work with again, and the other one, the company location and business wasn't a good fit for me.