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Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

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21–30 of 259 posts

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#21
You're like the dream person i'd love to have on my team. What im about to say is going to sound really odd and a little hocus pocus -- but i assure you -- it's meant as a re-assurance and not to demoralise you in any way. I went through something very similar to you about 4yrs ago. In the end i realised jobs are not for me. I was born to be an entrepreneur. A master of my own domain. I think the universe is trying to tell you that you're made for better things than a job that sticks you into a box.

I'd love to get to know you. I'd love to help you through the challenges you're currently facing and maybe if that leads somewhere we can talk about working together.

My website is http://krmmalik.com

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#22
post #2

Your target audience ( recruiters ) may not like the style of your website. Although I have no doubt that your are unique, you might consider it styling it a bit more close to the norm.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a clean, functional and good looking website. Can't speak for recruiters, but I like the style.

Same. Though as others have said it may work better as a developer's portfolio than a designer's.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#24

I get hired all day, people bang down my door after im hired, and all I do is explain the tools I used each year. I never graduated high school, never went to college, never really built anything that I can show off. I just talk about the tools I use. thats it. www.markentingh.com

Yeap a list of tools, the longer the list the better.

I'm completely agreeing with you, but I cry a little tiny bit inside. Sad that its this way.

PS don't think it fair that you are being downvoted. You are giving sound advice.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#25

I get hired all day, people bang down my door after im hired, and all I do is explain the tools I used each year. I never graduated high school, never went to college, never really built anything that I can show off. I just talk about the tools I use. thats it. www.markentingh.com

Your page breaks/is not responsive for widths greater than 1920. I'd probably still hire you, but might be a good year to fix that.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#26
I take it you're applying to NYC startups without a US working visa. Even though you are willing to work remote it is an extra hassle to hire you instead of a local. Most startups won't go through the trouble if they can get comparable locals. So either indicate why you are unique and so much better than Americans or start looking for jobs in Europe.

Also, it helps to know people.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#27

Last resort: the pity play. Some chivalrous HN startup guy will offer you something. Like 10% stake to build his vision...

I downvoted you because this guy just asked for advice. And judging from other comments, he got a pretty good one. No need to be snarky about that.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#28

I get hired all day, people bang down my door after im hired, and all I do is explain the tools I used each year. I never graduated high school, never went to college, never really built anything that I can show off. I just talk about the tools I use. thats it. www.markentingh.com

I don't understand why you've been down-voted. At least from an experimental perspective I find you statement and CV fascinating.

Had you asked me if this approach would work, I'd have said 'no', so I appreciate the learning.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#29
Well.

You've only graduated 2.5 years ago, so trying to push yourself as a Product Designer is probably out of your reach, and comes across as unrealistic. This is a senior-level role where experience is more important than ticking off skills. In combination with the breadth you listed this doesn't make you seem like a genius, it makes you seem like a generalist who lacks focus and probably has a touch of ADHD.

Personally your website also doesn't impress me, nor do any of the projects shown. They all have the same blank slate look of plain sans-serif fonts on white backgrounds with little or no colors and virtually no iconography. That might be good to sell consumer goods, but it doesn't demonstrate your skill and it contradicts that you're "passionate about all things visual". There are no illustrations, no flourishes, the artistry and aesthetics are absent.

In fact, what seems to be your "showpiece" for product design is IMO a self-sabotaging demo. Instead of showing off the creative process and focusing on the creative possibility space, it's a long-winded and visually dull story of navel gazing about details, interspersed with random code screenshots and programmer art. The end result, buried at the very bottom instead of pulled out at the start, is an ugly neon monospace table view with only an out of place Mario coin for graphics.

The golden rule is show, don't tell, and to not force people to do the heavy lifting for you. Also, drop phrases like wanting to work "at your cool startup", it screams try-hard. You don't want to join the startup because _it_ is cool, you want the startup to hire you because _you_ are cool.

Don't talk about writing witty copy or designing mesmerizing colors and dazzling typography, just make me laugh, mesmerize me, dazzle me.

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