Feels like I must be missing something. Trying to figure out my weak spots

[blissful juniper]

I am able to get interviews but am having trouble actually landing a job. I have 3 years of experience currently and function as the 'anchor engineer' on my team and lead our product. I'm really at a loss at this point as to what is holding me back. I've identified some potential weaknesses and included my thoughts on each:

• I have had only one job and never had internship
  - Less attractive than a candidate with equal # years but split amongst other companies?
• I don't have impressive personal projects
  - I have some but they aren't amazing. I recently removed them from my resume because I feared a mediocre project is worse than having none
• My interview skills are lacking
  - Haven't spent much time on leetcode (35 total completed and accepted solutions)
• I am being too ambitious for my current career timeline (3 yr, one job)

Given the fact that I seem to be able to get interviews and make it to final round interviews at companies I would consider impressive (Amazon, Dropbox, Atlassian, etc) - maybe I should assume that my resume and projects aren't holding me back and that instead I need to work on my interview skills.

Questions for anyone kind enough to read this:

• Would you think it is safe to assume my interview skills need work as opposed to resume / other factors since I get to interview stages?
• Is it possible to do well in interview and then a weak resume / projects sways them to pick another candidate?
• Would it be best to focus on improving interview skills (leetcode, etc) as opposed to personal projects?

Thank you!

[plucky notch]

we dont know what ur resume looks like so dont know

usually people will see the resume BEFORE u interview so idk how they wouldnt know about a weak resume before u interview

if ur getting past resume screens then yes u can probably focus on interview skills

[blissful juniper]

That was my assumption - since the resume would likely exclude me from interview loops, it must be good enough and therefore my interview skills must be lacking

[plucky notch]

make ur focusing on behavioral as well and being able to talk through a problem. You can solve a leetcode question all day but if u cant articulate how u got to a solution OR if you are stuck, be able to speak on your current thought process, it isnt going to go well regardless.

[blissful juniper]

I generally feel like I do well on behavioral and social aspects but I guess everyone would like to think they aren’t awkward. I usually look up common behavioral questions per company as well as general/common questions and prepare answers in advance if possible

[mild hedge]

Yes, no, probably.

Except at very small companies, there usually isn't one particular headcount to fill and so they aren't doing a "let's look at the candidates and choose our favorite"; rather, there's a predetermined bar, people are constantly flowing through interviews, and if they meet the bar they get offers

[blissful juniper]

Thanks for the advice