u/Left_Worldliness_938

Hey everyone,

Been applying for AI Engineer and LLM Engineer roles in London for a few months with almost no responses. Wanted some outside eyes before I keep sending it out.

Quick context: 3 years production AI experience, RAG pipelines, agentic systems, LangGraph, AWS. MSc in AI from a UK university, 2025, Commendation. Currently listed as independent/self-directed since Jan 2026 which I suspect might look like unemployment to some recruiters.

One thing worth flagging: there is a 3 month role on my CV which was a short contract I took while relocating to the UK, as the visa process took longer than expected. Not sure if that raises red flags or not.

Main things I am unsure about: does the independent work hurt me, does the short role look bad, am I missing ATS keywords, anything that would make you immediately pass on this?

Brutal honest feedback welcome. CV below.

https://preview.redd.it/euk1ki43j52h1.png?width=1254&format=png&auto=webp&s=abd85dd6ac8c00578d7bb555da41eea0d557dca8

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate some honest advice.

I’m in the UK on a Graduate visa with 18+ months left, so I have full right to work and do not need sponsorship immediately, but I’m still struggling to get interviews.

I have 3+ years of experience in Applied AI / Generative AI, Python, FastAPI, React/Next.js, backend and full-stack development, RAG/LLM systems, PostgreSQL, Supabase, AWS, and GCP.

I’m mainly applying for roles like:

- Applied AI Engineer

- Generative AI Engineer

- AI Software Engineer

- Backend Engineer

- Full-Stack Engineer

- Python Engineer

I’m trying to understand whether the main issue is the market, my positioning, the Graduate visa, or a mix of all three.

I’m also open to volunteer or pro bono work with charities/nonprofits if that’s a sensible way to keep building recent experience while I continue applying.

If you were in my position, what would you focus on over the next 30 to 60 days?

I’d really value practical advice, especially from anyone in the UK tech market or anyone who has dealt with Graduate visa challenges.

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate some honest advice on how I should approach my situation.

I’m based in the UK and have been struggling badly to get interviews, despite having 3+ years of experience. At this point I’m even open to junior-level roles if that helps me get my foot in the door.

My background is mainly in:

- Applied AI / Generative AI

- Python, FastAPI

- TypeScript / React / Next.js

- Backend and full-stack development

- RAG / LLM systems

- PostgreSQL, Supabase

- AWS / GCP

- building and shipping production-style software and AI systems

I’m targeting roles like:

- Generative AI Engineer

- Applied AI Engineer

- AI Software Engineer

- Backend Engineer

- Full-Stack Engineer

- Python Engineer

I’m not targeting C++, C#, or Java-heavy roles because that’s not my background.

I’ve been applying consistently, but I’m still barely getting interviews. I’m trying to understand whether the issue is:

- the market itself

- my positioning

- my CV/profile

- the level I’m targeting

- or some combination of all of these

At this point I’m also open to volunteer or pro bono technical work with charities/nonprofits if it helps me keep building recent experience while I continue searching.

What I’d really like guidance on is:

1. How should I position myself better in the UK market?

2. Should I keep applying as mid-level, or intentionally target junior roles too?

3. Is volunteer/nonprofit work a sensible way to stay active and improve my profile?

4. If you were in my position, what would you do in the next 30-60 days?

If helpful, I can also share an anonymised CV.

I’d really appreciate practical advice from people who understand the current software/AI hiring market.

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate some honest advice on how I should approach my situation.

I’m based in the UK on a Graduate visa, with over 18 months left and full working rights, but I’m still struggling badly to even get interviews. I have 3+ years of experience and I’m open to being considered at fresher/junior level if that helps me get in.

My background is mainly in:

- Applied AI / Generative AI

- Python, FastAPI

- TypeScript / React / Next.js

- Backend and full-stack development

- RAG / LLM systems

- PostgreSQL, Supabase

- AWS / GCP

- building and shipping production-style software and AI systems

Before anyone says “just apply more,” I’ve already been applying consistently, but I strongly feel the Graduate visa is causing employers to reject me early, even though I still have 18+ months left and do not need sponsorship immediately.

I’m targeting roles like:

- Generative AI Engineer

- Applied AI Engineer

- AI Software Engineer

- Backend Engineer

- Full-Stack Engineer

- Python Engineer

I’m not targeting C++, C#, or Java-heavy roles because that is not my background.

At this point I’m trying to think practically.

I’m open to volunteer or pro bono work with charities/nonprofits to keep building recent experience while I continue my search, if it helps me keep building recent UK-based experience and avoid looking inactive while I continue applying.

What I’d really like guidance on is:

1. How should I position myself in the UK market?

2. Should I keep applying as mid-level, or intentionally target junior/fresher roles too?

3. Is my problem likely the visa, the market, my positioning, or all three?

4. Is volunteer/nonprofit work a sensible move to keep my profile active?

5. If you were in my position, what would you do in the next 30-60 days?

If helpful, I can also share an anonymised CV.

I’d really appreciate practical advice from people in the UK tech market, especially anyone who has dealt with Graduate visa issues or has hired candidates on this route.