It all started with my resume. I tailored it to highlight my experience with backend frameworks, databases, and APIs, as well as a few key projects. A few days after submitting, I got an email confirming they were interested in moving forward – a great first sign. The next step was a technical screening call with a recruiter. They asked about my experience, my preferred languages (I’m strongest in Python and Java), and a bit about the types of databases I’ve worked with, like PostgreSQL and MongoDB. The call was pretty straightforward, and I felt comfortable answering the questions. The recruiter mentioned that they’d follow up about the next steps within a couple of days, which they did.