Ask HN: How to get interviews?

#1

Post by anotherNae » Tue, Aug 14, 2018, 11:01 PM UTC

I am currently about 3 years in my career as a developer. I started as a Frontend Developer but now I mostly do Backend. I use Node.js but I have worked with variety of other languages, including Java. I have worked with 2 startups so far and am currently looking for a change, mostly because the current workplace is not very aligned with my career goals. I am from India without a CS degree. I would prefer moving to US or Canada.

I have been scouring tons of job listing websites like whoishiring, AngelList, stackoverflow jobs and applying actively but cannot get interviews lined up. Mostly I would never get a reply for the position and sometimes automated (or possibly not) rejection mails.

All this is degrading my work and I feel like I am not good enough while I know friends who are in the US who have similar work experience as I do getting interviews easily.

Are there things that I can do better? I have started a few projects of my own and will possible make them open source soon but I have heard from friends that it hardly matters. I am absolutely confused.

Re: Ask HN: How to get interviews?

#2

Post by mtmail » Tue, Aug 14, 2018, 11:12 PM UTC

> I am from India without a CS degree. I would prefer moving to US or Canada.

> I know friends who are in the US [...] getting interviews easily

Are you applying for full-time positions in the US and Canada from outside those countries without a visa? Companies take a risk in the visa process, e.g. they have to proof to the government (DHS, can't remember) they found nobody equally qualified in their own country, it's a time-consuming and expensive process. A candidate already in the country has a huge advantage.

Re: Ask HN: How to get interviews?

#3

Post by anotherNae » Tue, Aug 14, 2018, 11:14 PM UTC

mtmail wrote: post #2

> I am from India without a CS degree. I would prefer moving to US or Canada. > I know friends who are in the US [...] getting interviews easily Are you applying for full-time positions in the US and Canada from outside those countries without a visa? Companies take a risk in the visa process, e.g. they have to proof to the government (DHS, can't remember) they found nobody equally qualified in their own country, it'…

Sadly, yes. What options do I have in this case?

Re: Ask HN: How to get interviews?

#4

Post by mtmail » Tue, Aug 14, 2018, 11:31 PM UTC

anotherNae wrote: post #3

mtmail wrote: post #2

> I am from India without a CS degree. I would prefer moving to US or Canada. > I know friends who are in the US [...] getting interviews easily Are you applying for full-time positions in the US and Canada from outside those countries without a visa? Companies take a risk in the visa process, e.g. they have to proof to the government (DHS, can't remember) they found nobody equally qualified in their own country, it'…

Sadly, yes. What options do I have in this case?

You can try getting a position at a subsidiary of a US/Canadian company inside India. Then hope to transfer using an L1 visa (company internal transfer) after a couple of years. No company will promise that in writing to new hires of course.