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Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

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Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#171

Post by kitsune_ »

playingchanges wrote: post #43

One more angle since I haven’t seen anyone mention it. Instructions on how to bootstrap a software portfolio: Pick a language (sounds like you chose JS which would be my pick as well), buy a copy of cracking the coding interview, make a leetcode.com account, make a codepen.io account, and get to work. If you’re smart and dedicated you can teach yourself this stuff and these are the best tools to help you in my opinio…

I think this is partially bad advice, sorry.

Sure, algorithmic thinking is valuable, but linear programming and complexity theory has no bearing on 99% of all web development jobs that require JavaScript and in this context I think this fetishisation of Informatics Olympiad style puzzles is the wrong advice for someone trying to enter the field. You do not need an in-depth understanding of computer science to get started with programming or survive in the field, especially not in an enterprise environment. I met Java developers who I suspected didn't even know what class is to be honest. But people like this can thrive at big corps.

In the first year of university I had Prolog, EBNF and partial derivatives, theoretical foundations of computing, linear algebra and stochastics but how much of that stuff do you really need when programming a UI? The complexity lies elsewhere, understanding business requirements, talking to people, avoiding technical debt by talking PMs out of weird requirements, structuring your application in a modular fashion, staying up to date with the eco-system etc.

I agree that focusing on HTML, CSS and vanilla Javascript before jumping into React, Vue or whatever is a good idea tho. For frontend development job, the best thing in my view would be a solid understanding of the web fundamentals + experience in one of the big three frameworks. Outside of that, I think there are probably a lot of jobs where being able to just work with Wordpress templates is good enough tbh.

Anyways, when I'm hiring "juniors" or I'm looking for something that tells me the person a) actually likes programming b) has some demonstrated talent (problem solving, compositional thinking, whatever you want to call it) and is able and willing to learn and c) is able to work together with people (which is the biggest problem with self-taught solo-devs, not having worked in teams before) d) is not an asshole

Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#172

Post by kitsune_ »

onion2k wrote: post #150
playingchanges wrote: post #43

One more angle since I haven’t seen anyone mention it. Instructions on how to bootstrap a software portfolio: Pick a language (sounds like you chose JS which would be my pick as well), buy a copy of cracking the coding interview, make a leetcode.com account, make a codepen.io account, and get to work. If you’re smart and dedicated you can teach yourself this stuff and these are the best tools to help you in my opinio…

Cracking the Coding Interview and leetcode are good advice for getting a job at a FAANG or a startup (not that startups hire juniors..), but they're much less relevant at small- and mid-sized software companies. Applying to a FAANG/startup you're up against top graduates, people who have been coding for decades (even for junior roles), and highly motivated people who already have more demonstrable experience than you…

Agreed. I know plenty of highly intelligent, super talented and experienced people who had to take multiple rounds to get into Google. I myself tried it once and made it to the hiring committee, but was ultimately rejected. I was an experienced developer and prepared myself pretty well and was still nervous as hell.

To be honest I don't know how without any prior experience or graduating from a top uni you would get an interview at a FAANG in the first place.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#173

Post by blackrock »

sokoloff wrote: post #67
cjohnson318 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> pays well, and the learning curve is a bit lower I've done development and testing, and I would characterize QA as "same job, less pay". In both roles you struggle with vague requirements, lots of edge cases, and unrealistic deadlines. It is surprisingly difficult to get out of the QA pigeonhole. People assume the job is easier, and that you're not as capable as a developer.

QA and dev are not the same job IMO/IME. Simplified: QA is “the system should do this; does it do it?” Dev is “the system should do this; make it do it.” I’m not putting one above the other as both functions are needed for most successful companies. I am saying they’re not the same job.

Not exactly. QA is all about breaking shit.

It’s already assumed that the product has certain features. And that those features work a certain way. But what if you did something else, that was unexpected. Then does it break the system?

As a QA Engineer, your job is to find that fault, and break it. Because you are possibly the last line of defense, before that software goes out into the real world.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#176

Post by AlexDanger »

mettamage wrote: post #159
AlexDanger wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Make multiple resumes, each with a focus on one thing. Use the resume that's best for the job. I recently saw somebody who must have had 20 different resumes to match the jobs they were applying for. It worked. I'd like to second this methodology. It is a very effective approach. I've worked across multiple specialties within technology and I always tailor my CV to the job I am applying for. I highlight the most rel…

Question: how do you deal with gaps in your resume? Let's suppose you were a machine learning engineer for 2 years, a web developer for another 2 and a product owner for 3 years. I presume that some experiences would almost make it seem that you're not dedicated to the role you're applying for if you leave them in. So you have to leave them out. How do you deal with that?

fecak's reply is the best answer. In particular this quote:

>As I mentioned in another comment, you can also use a summary to define yourself. If you're applying for product owner jobs, you define yourself as a product owner with skills in web dev and ML. If you're applying for a web dev job, you define yourself as a web dev with skills in ML and product.

This is great advice. Make sure you still include all the roles in your CV to illustrate a consistent period of employment. Just highlight the aspects of each role that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. If a previous role is barely relevant, just summarize the experience in a couple of sentences.

The point is to make most of your CV relevant to the role. Dont make the employer hunt through your CV for relevant experience. Most people will make a snap judgement within a minute or two of scanning your CV. Make it easy for them.

I also think a summary is very important. Sum up your best points with some dot points at the top of your CV.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#177

Post by klondike_klive »

ldjb wrote: post #163
mettamage wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Question: how do you deal with gaps in your resume? Let's suppose you were a machine learning engineer for 2 years, a web developer for another 2 and a product owner for 3 years. I presume that some experiences would almost make it seem that you're not dedicated to the role you're applying for if you leave them in. So you have to leave them out. How do you deal with that?

That's an interesting question and something that hadn't really occurred to me. Personally, over the past few years I've been a developer, a product owner and now a product manager. But if I were to apply for a new developer role, would I leave out my current product manager role from my CV? Absolutely not! It's generally considered a bad idea to have gaps in your CV. And actually having worked various roles can actu…

How about if I was a stay-at-home dad for a year? I haven't included that in my resume - I figured if I were asked I have no problem speaking about it, I'm actually super proud of it, it just doesn't strike me as something I should put in my list of experience.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#178

Post by devoutsalsa »

fecak wrote: post #164
geocrasher wrote: post #99

I am sorry about the position you're in. For the last several years I have been balancing taking care of my terminally ill wife who recently passed away, all while working remotely in the web hosting industry. It's hard to balance. Harder than you think. Setting boundaries will be vital to being successful in any WFH role. Now that that's out of the way: You need to focus. You've described your abilities and that's f…

Resume writer here. Don't overdo the resume customization thing - I've had clients who wanted to spend lots of time tailoring each line of a resume to the job, and the time invested really isn't worth it. Especially if it becomes far too clear to the reader that you were essentially pandering. For most people, different resumes for different roles (web dev, mobile dev, etc.) make sense, but if you have 20 resumes for…

I’lol also add that someone hiring a green person for entry level work may be looking for enthusiasm, aptitude, and general excitement. Stripping all that away may be detrimental. There was definitely a time where I had no real experience to speak, and plenty of times I feel like me experience isn’t worth the time I spent writing a resume, and if I’d stripped out the passion I had, I’d might still be doing crap work. If you have little experience to focus your focus, some enthusiasm sounds great to me!

Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#179

Post by 40four »

leesalminen wrote: post #55
scomp wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Side question sorry, what happened to the side business after the PE firm acquired it?

It’s still going strong today! It’s led by my “protege” and they have 40+ employees now with 8-digit revenue. They just acquired a second competitor in our space. I couldn’t be more proud of them. Check out www.gingrapp.com.

I have used Ginger! There is a Pet Paradise in my city we used to go to, and I booked through the app all the time. Small world haha

Re: Ask HN: Advice for finding an entry-level remote job?

#180

Post by leesalminen »

40four wrote: post #179
leesalminen wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s still going strong today! It’s led by my “protege” and they have 40+ employees now with 8-digit revenue. They just acquired a second competitor in our space. I couldn’t be more proud of them. Check out www.gingrapp.com.

I have used Ginger! There is a Pet Paradise in my city we used to go to, and I booked through the app all the time. Small world haha

Oh, awesome! We love Pet Paradise- they run a good business and the leadership really does care about pet safety.
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