How much time does it take?

Let's be realistic. Once you start actively looking for work, expect it to take 5 to 12 months (for a good offer) depending on luck and how prepared you are.

You need to be patient. Here's a back-of-the-envelope breakdown of why it takes so long:

• 1–2 weeks of actively sending resumes before you get your first HR call.
• 3–6 stages per company, and you can usually only pass 1–2 stages per week.
• You're competing with other candidates at every stage.
• Sometimes you just get unlucky — the company picks someone else.
• Sometimes Christmas, Easter, or summer vacations hit and nobody is hiring.
• First companies always seem to save up rejections for you, just to build character.

Add it all up and yes — it's a lot of time. But it's worth it. One good offer changes everything.