A software engineer working at Meta has sparked a major online discussion by calling job applications "the dumbest thing" you can do. His unconventional advice challenges standard career search methods and has gone viral on social media platforms.
From Frustration to a New Strategy
Marmik Patel, based in San Francisco, shared his personal experience on X. He explained that he tried connecting with 1,000 recruiters and submitted 670 job applications without securing any opportunities. This frustrating outcome led him to completely rethink his approach to career advancement.
Building Impact Instead of Sending Applications
Patel decided to stop what he called "wasting time" on traditional applications. He shifted his focus to activities that created the "biggest impact." This involved traveling frequently to tech hubs like San Francisco and New York City. He also dedicated time to building products, creating content, and actively making professional connections.
"Applying to jobs is the dumbest shit you can ever do. I learned the hard way," Patel wrote in his viral post. He described the job market using a vivid analogy, stating that "the top 10% of people take 90% of the jobs." He compared this imbalance to other areas of life, suggesting it's a universal pattern.
The Dramatic Turnaround
The engineer's new strategy yielded remarkable results. Between January and May of last year, he reported that 83 recruiters proactively reached out to him with opportunities. These included messages from AI labs, Y Combinator startups, and well-known unicorn companies.
Patel concluded his post with a powerful statement about the modern professional landscape. "It's a winner-takes-all world. You have no choice but to become the winner. Or waste away your life fighting for scraps," he wrote, emphasizing his belief in building leverage rather than competing for limited openings.
Social Media Reactions and Broader Implications
The post quickly gained significant traction online, drawing varied responses from the professional community. One user likened the job market to a dating app where everyone swipes on the same few profiles. Another commenter noted that cold applying still has value, but building proof and relationships creates compounding leverage.
A third observer extended the logic beyond job hunting, applying it to product development. They suggested that creating something people genuinely talk about is more effective than cold outreach, mirroring Patel's core argument about impact over volume.
This discussion highlights a growing conversation about alternative career paths in the technology sector. It challenges the conventional wisdom of mass applications and suggests that personal branding, network building, and tangible project creation might offer more reliable routes to professional opportunity.
