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

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

#21

Post by shagie » Wed, May 01, 2024, 9:52 PM UTC

casegg wrote: post #16

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.

Make sure you don't have one resume. If you are applying to a backend Java application, make sure that the first skills in your list are applicable for back end Java and expand on relevant projects. Likewise, if you're applying to a front end JavaScript position, then have that be the thing you lead with.

On the other side of the table, here's an applicant showing JavaScript things for a backend Java position... and a bunch more that have Java first. The JavaScript focused resume isn't likely to get a second look.

Make sure that your resume reflects the position that you are applying for.

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

#22

Post by meiraleal » Thu, May 02, 2024, 12:12 AM UTC

It took me 6 years since I started coding to get a proper job as a software engineer. Before that I had created dozens of websites (some of them got revenue through ads) and many delivered successfully many freelancing gigs. Which at least half of them led me to work for free as it was very common to get scammed in the beginning. The market was almost nonexistent at the time in my country and remote working was a luxury not even discussed yet.

It is funny that we think that this beginning we had it easier than the current "I've done 1 year of coding bootcamp, where is my 6 figures job" mindset.

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

#23

Post by romerocarlos » Thu, May 02, 2024, 1:22 AM UTC

Don't be discouraged in such a competitive world these things usually happen. I understand that you need to put more effort into introspection, the question you ask would be the first step. You need to diagnose why you are being ignored by employers. Think of it as debugging practice. Regardless, I wish you all the best in your search for that dream job. You have a lot of work, don't give up.

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

#24

Post by thiago_fm » Thu, May 02, 2024, 4:23 PM UTC

You need to go in real life and talk to real people.

Visit any user group from any programming language and just be present, at first maybe you won't talk to anyone, but with time you may find somebody that is older than you and could offer you an opportunity.

It isn't the lack of skills that is holding you back, it's the networking. I'm sure if you find the first opportunity you'll catch up to whatever is needed fast, all you need is that first opportunity.

In the current market there are too many folks doing like you, sending CVs and waiting. This clearly don't work.

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

#25

Post by tacostakohashi » Fri, May 03, 2024, 12:43 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

I did really like programming, and sunk my teeth int C, C++ and Linux, and did get jobs using those.

I considered C / Linux (syscalls, shell scripting, etc) to be the "fundamentals" / foundational layer, that every higher-level language/fad was built on top of.

I now realize I was basically wrong, all that stuff is now abstracted away as "cloud" or hidden under kubernetes / docker or whatever, and while my experience doesn't hurt... there are lots of people who are clueless with command line, Linux, C, malloc, etc., that get their job done just fine. There are amazingly few jobs for C, C++, Linux these days, when you consider the amount of existing software written for those.

I enjoyed the culture around those things, but as career, it's not the future.

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

#26

Post by grobgambit » Fri, May 03, 2024, 10:42 PM UTC

I am not a dev but there is obviously a supply vs demand problem or you would at least be getting a single interview.

There is also a marketing problem in that everyone thinks they have to do the same thing to stand out but if you are doing the same thing as everyone else then you are doing the opposite of standing out.

At one point in my career when I was struggling to get interviews, I gave up and decided the jobs available to me are the ones my friends can help me get. You will amaze yourself with how much more effort you put into your network when you take the internet posting jobs off the table.

There is also much to be said for being able to program but doing something else besides pure software engineer.