Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#11

Post by _akhe » Wed, May 01, 2024, 3:49 AM UTC

casegg wrote: post #4

sandwichukulele wrote: post #2

>I feel like despite my lack of experience, find FOSS projects maintained by Big Tech and find ways to contribute value to those projects, this will get your foot in the door and will overcome the lack of experience and get you immediate attention from those already inside. This is a problem of visibility, not skill. The reality is that it's very difficult to get your message out when you're competing with so much ot…

I managed to stumble across my first contribution to a popular open source project about 2 months ago but haven't actively looked for one since. It could be worthwhile to take another look, but it's hard to not feel the imposter syndrome.

Yeah especially in that scenario. Do something super trendy with LLMs or procedural pixel art or something and do a Show HN.

Looking at nuance.js you seem to like writing libraries. The JavaScript side of AI needs lots of help with little utilities and stuff like this!

I think a project + Show HN would:

- build confidence

- get eyes and feedback on your work

- increase your legitmacy to others ultimately resulting in people contacting you

Make it a point to show Hacker News something awesome every Friday until you get a job, would give you a metronome and carrot-on-a-stick at least - "hope" I think they call it

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#12

Post by croo » Wed, May 01, 2024, 7:18 AM UTC

If your parents are working in tech and your friends are programmers why apply to random unknown jobs? Can't you just use their network to get recommended to somewhere? Why fight the firewall when you can avoid it?

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#13

Post by cheevly » Wed, May 01, 2024, 10:57 AM UTC

Your resume is the problem.

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#14

Post by hnthrowaway0328 » Wed, May 01, 2024, 2:21 PM UTC

Within this tech gloomy you really need to find connnections, however you can. Friends, families, whatever, just ask around. Buy people meals, ask for advices, do whatever you can to squeeze into the industry.

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#15

Post by carlosjobim » Wed, May 01, 2024, 3:38 PM UTC

sandwichukulele wrote: post #2

>I feel like despite my lack of experience, find FOSS projects maintained by Big Tech and find ways to contribute value to those projects, this will get your foot in the door and will overcome the lack of experience and get you immediate attention from those already inside. This is a problem of visibility, not skill. The reality is that it's very difficult to get your message out when you're competing with so much ot…

Nobody should work for free, especially not for the wealthiest companies in the world.

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#16

Post by casegg » Wed, May 01, 2024, 3:45 PM UTC

logtempo wrote: post #7

The industry see your CV, your git repo and your portfolio, if you don't have a second call in 300 applications it means either you're talking to the wrong people regarding your profile, or your profile is not appealing and work need to be done. I did an incomplete thesis on a niche research subject, traveled for month, switched to the industry now and even with that not so attractive profile from an industry POV, I…

Thank you very much for the advice!

I agree with your points, and I'll update my CV to reflect those changes. I knew the CV was likely the weak point but I just wasn't sure in what ways to change it, so your advice gives me hope.

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#17

Post by shrimp_emoji » Wed, May 01, 2024, 4:03 PM UTC

If you're applying to frontend stuff, every monkey can do that.

If you really like programming, sink your teeth into C and C++ and Linux and look for jobs using those. I think it's much more rewarding internally, and, externally, there's a shortage of talent in programming that isn't using the latest corporate Products--I mean languages/frameworks (Java/C#/Go/Node/React/Angular). ;p

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#18

Post by DarkTree » Wed, May 01, 2024, 4:29 PM UTC

shrimp_emoji wrote: post #17

If you're applying to frontend stuff, every monkey can do that. If you really like programming, sink your teeth into C and C++ and Linux and look for jobs using those. I think it's much more rewarding internally, and, externally, there's a shortage of talent in programming that isn't using the latest corporate Products--I mean languages/frameworks (Java/C#/Go/Node/React/Angular). ;p

counterpoint: don't keep doors closed by being dismissive of other peoples' careers/interests like this person

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#19

Post by sandwichukulele » Wed, May 01, 2024, 4:37 PM UTC

carlosjobim wrote: post #15

sandwichukulele wrote: post #2

>I feel like despite my lack of experience, find FOSS projects maintained by Big Tech and find ways to contribute value to those projects, this will get your foot in the door and will overcome the lack of experience and get you immediate attention from those already inside. This is a problem of visibility, not skill. The reality is that it's very difficult to get your message out when you're competing with so much ot…

Nobody should work for free, especially not for the wealthiest companies in the world.

You shouldn't have to game the system to get a job either, 300 application should be more than enough but it is not so. If I were desperate for work, it would also mean I have an abundance of time and I would use this time focused on those projects because it is one way I can think of to prove my business value. Focus on the root problem, that is find ways getting hired in the first place. You may not like my way but it is a definitive way

Re: Ask HN: Is it the industry or is it me?

#20

Post by shrimp_emoji » Wed, May 01, 2024, 9:08 PM UTC

DarkTree wrote: post #18

shrimp_emoji wrote: post #17

If you're applying to frontend stuff, every monkey can do that. If you really like programming, sink your teeth into C and C++ and Linux and look for jobs using those. I think it's much more rewarding internally, and, externally, there's a shortage of talent in programming that isn't using the latest corporate Products--I mean languages/frameworks (Java/C#/Go/Node/React/Angular). ;p

counterpoint: don't keep doors closed by being dismissive of other peoples' careers/interests like this person

Very true. Only be like me if your mind has permanently fallen into a singularity of cynical acrimony -- and probably only if you're privileged enough to afford to let it do that.