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Ask HN: What does one need to do to get a software job out of University

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Re: Ask HN: What does one need to do to get a software job out of University

#11
post #2

Did you ask for feedback from the internships? Usually intern conversion is the best way to hire new grads

All the companies gave a general overview of my ability at the end of the intership. The first company I worked at was a start up and they folded up. The second company was pretty great, code/tech was ok, told me they would love to hire me and the team lead said that I was probably a better dev then some of the current members on the team but they didn't reply when I messaged them. The 3rd company I refuse to go back…

I assume you've applied to all the big companies. Try applying again 6 months after the rejection.

Have you tried AngelList? It's where startups post their jobs.

Re: Ask HN: What does one need to do to get a software job out of University

#12

Job search doctors will tell you that hiring is an elimination process; if you are getting interviews then your resume is "good enough" and it isn't the problem, it is your ability to pass the interview. Most people make mistakes in the interviewing process that cause them to interview below their level. Don't be that guy. One class of mistakes is actions that offend some people: the range of these are large and if y…

You make a solid point about what you radiate in an interview. I can tend be passive which might come across as aloof or uninterested. I could probably be more active. I would love to live in Boston but I'm Canadian. Do you think I would have a chance of getting a visa and job in Boston? I've definity heard that if you want to progress in the software business you need to move companies often, unfortunately. I'm intr…

Many firms that have software operations in the US have operations in Canada as well, usually in the same time zone.

For instance Pac Northwest firms such as Amazon and Microsoft hire in B.C., Calgary has a scene in systems programming, embedded systems that I know of and probably lots that I don't. Toronto has everything from Geoff Hinton to internet porn. Montreal has game super-studio Ubisoft as well as ASP.NET and mainframe programmers, great nightlife, a goth loli clothing store, ...

So far as personality I would be worried more about a person who was too reckless than I would somebody careful.

If you want to appear interested in people it helps to ask questions. Sitting on either side of the interview table I would see it as an opportunity to get information I couldn't get any other way about the state of the industry so I am always interested. People mostly like talking about themselves and if they are talking you don't need to think of something to say or open your mouth and risk scoring an own goal.

To get in the mood you can pretend that you already have the job and you are coiled like a spring to start and you are going to ask all the questions you need to start such as "what kind of computer do i get?", "what is the schedule?", "where will I be working?", as well as getting an understanding of the job enough to get ready to do it.

If you find that hard to do consider acting lessons at a Meisner school and they will teach you to be coiled like a spring in the second term!

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