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

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

#141

Post by rvdm »

Hi Olivier,

These are just my thoughts and they are based on nothing tangible, other than that I own a tech company and hire developers and designers. I also come from a mixed engineering and design background and am probably from about the same area in Europe as you are and now live & work in California.

— You're young and it's hard for someone your age to master multiple disciplines. I'd focus on presenting one discipline. If I were you I'd sharpen and highlight your development skills. Maybe you can present yourself as a design-driven front-end developer?

— Recruiters often search by keywords. LinkedIn can help you experiment with what keywords get you the most attention. You could for example try learning React.js which is very popular right now, or further developing your iOS skills and change your LinkedIn title to React.js developer or Swift & iOS developer. Try different things and see what gets you more attention.

— Some recruiters like seeing big names on resumes. Have you considered applying to, for example, big international ad agencies that have Paris offices? Companies like Grey, Ogilvy, BBDO might have local offices that need design sensitive front-end developers. I have no opinion about any of these companies, I just know they're big agencies that have offices all over the world. You might be able to transfer or those names might open some doors for you in the US.

Again, please take this with a grain of salt. These are just some quick thoughts.

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

#142

Post by verelo »

verelo wrote: post #136

I'm not trying to be mean, but when i read: "I'm passionate about all things visual" on your website* ...my brain instantly replied to me: "This website tells another story" * http://imgur.com/a/TRtno

Also, to reply to myself :) ...I've hired a fair few people, your resume wouldn't make my first round of cuts if it were submitted to me.

Reasons:

* Website looks odd (see above comment). I just don't love the branding, and honestly there is too much text for too little message.

* You talk about yourself as an Entrepreneur. These people in my experience are often some of the hardest to work with, especially at the beginning of their career. You're likely to stick around for 12-24 months and then leave (even if I pay you really well, and treat you as best as I can). It puts me in an endless hiring cycle and annoys other staff who are here between hirings, which puts them at risk of leaving.

* You describe Skyler as a product, but it honestly looks like an extension of your blog, and a bit like a school assignment. Tell me what I need to know quickly, it's way too hard for me to figure out why i should care about this project.

* While I'm in Toronto, it's the same timezone as NY. You'd have to be something super special for me to want to hire you remote in Paris. In fact, this simple point alone would be the sole reason you were not looked at further. 9/10 interviews are unsuccessful (roughly), the chances you're the 10% are low...and then I still need to want you enough to deal with you remotely. It's a non-starter...remote work is generally something I'm into if you have a special skill I need (in which case i'll reach out to you, or you'd be introduced by a trusted source)

Suggestions: * Make your website simple, get rid of all the words and give me a simple, clean message. Tell me why I should care!

* You're at the beginning of your career in a less than ideal location for what you're after, I'd suggest looking for local work or opening up to moving.

* Pick what you're good at and sell that, you're claiming to be a silver bullet. There are no silver bullets.

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

#143

Post by klenwell »

d--b wrote: post #87

I think you should chill a little. How are supposed to read your post? "I'm so good and nobody hires me, wtf?" I'm sorry to say so, but this makes you come across as the quintessential millennial entitled brat. If I was recruiting right now, I would think: this guy will want to control everything he touches, and will be extremely negative whenever something doesn't suit him. And then he'll leave, shouting how crap ev…

> I'm sorry to say so, but this makes you come across as the quintessential millennial entitled brat.

I think this is a bit harsh and would have been better edited out.

But otherwise, as someone whose is in the process of hiring a junior developer, I think you expressed the concerns I have exactly.

I'm usually looking for someone smart, talented, dedicated, etc... but most importantly, they need to have the patience and the discipline to churn through the boring stuff (bugs, documentation, code reviews, learning and following team practices) that is in my experience the core of being a reliable developer. Seeing three different positions listed for 2016 alone doesn't inspire that kind of confidence.

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

#145

Post by graham1776 »

The one thing I always tell anyone on the job hunt, which few ever seem to take me up on: Informational Interviews. These are informal "can I take you out to coffee?" talks with people in your industry to see what they are working on, what is happening with them, what is going on in the industry. Every job I have ever gotten is through informal meetings with people I have met through my network (whether its the current employer, your friends, parents, relatives, or other).

At the end of every one I ask: "Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?" and "Do you currently have any opportunities at your company for me?". Rinse repeat. I guarantee investing in 30 informational interviews will yield huge dividends vs. 30 career fairs, a personal pitch deck, starting a blog, dusting off your resume, or God Forbid: applying to a million jobs on online portals.

http://www.grahamwahlberg.com/book

I wrote a free guide on this if anyone is interested, would love feedback.

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

#146

Post by d--b »

klenwell wrote: post #143
d--b wrote: post #87

I think you should chill a little. How are supposed to read your post? "I'm so good and nobody hires me, wtf?" I'm sorry to say so, but this makes you come across as the quintessential millennial entitled brat. If I was recruiting right now, I would think: this guy will want to control everything he touches, and will be extremely negative whenever something doesn't suit him. And then he'll leave, shouting how crap ev…

> I'm sorry to say so, but this makes you come across as the quintessential millennial entitled brat. I think this is a bit harsh and would have been better edited out. But otherwise, as someone whose is in the process of hiring a junior developer, I think you expressed the concerns I have exactly. I'm usually looking for someone smart, talented, dedicated, etc... but most importantly, they need to have the patience…

Yes, I agree that was too harsh. The guy is probably not, but in some ways that is what his post conveys.

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

#147

Post by FussyZeus »

fosco wrote: post #128
fecak wrote: post #78

I write resumes and coach job seekers who have difficulty in finding work or navigating career issues (my HN profile has links). My background includes nearly 20 years in recruiting for east coast startups. You have a few things going 'against' you in most cases. I haven't seen a resume yet, but based on your site and post: 1 - You're relatively junior (at 23). 2 - You now live in France and want either remote work o…

-->3 - You're applying to a million jobs, which likely means you are sending out rather anonymous letters instead of something even remotely targeted. I think this is important, in a sense personalizing it for the company, and also the specific position you are aiming for. rather than aim for the entire goal net aim for a specific cross stitch within the net. on a side note, all of the comments of others offering hel…

Can speak from experience: If your application was submitted by a robot (or feels that way) I don't look at it. If you can't be bothered to apply in person, I can't be bothered to read it. ;)

I'm a huge advocate for automation but there is such a thing as too much.

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

#148

Post by throwaway413 »

I'm 23 as well, co/founded a few startups now. I never tell people my age - ageism is a real thing and sets in the second they identify you as someone young enough to be "inexperienced" even if you are far from it. When I don't tell people my age, they generally assume I'm late 20's to early 30's, which allows me to command more seniority and respect from my coworkers.

Your youthfulness is your most valuable weapon. It also makes you a risk. There are two types of companies - those that will seek to mitigate that risk or not get involved altogether. And those that will recognize that with great risk comes great reward.

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

#149

Post by nojvek »

fecak wrote: post #139
pmiller2 wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree that it's ideal to have numbers attached to accomplishments, but how many devs actually know those numbers? I've written code that's run literally millions of times, because it's deep in the core of some task execution code, that enables easier debugging of tasks, and I have no idea how much debugging time it's actually saved. I wrote a large part of a couple of important features in a product for the company…

We all understand that it's often highly complex if not impossible for most devs to quantify an accomplishment. It's easy for some things to be quantified obviously - downloads, traction - though those aren't exclusive to engineering (could be marketing). Scalability numbers and measurable performance improvements are relatively common. So if you built something that is able to handle n requests maybe. The amount of…

I saw your website. It's great. I would advise networking and attending meetups, asking for referrals.

Every job I have is mostly due to referrals. Someone putting a good word on behalf of you means a lot.

Also don't fire and shoot. Target like a sniper.

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

#150

Post by yazan94 »

bogomipz wrote: post #97
azurelogic wrote: post #74

Tossing CVs down an HR portal (to nowhere) isn't a way to find jobs. You find jobs by knowing people . I'm sure there are some developer/designer meetups in Paris. Find one (or many) and start going. That doesn't mean sit in the back silently. You need to network. This doesn't have to be cheesy. Make small talk. Get to know them and their interests. Maybe you'll have the same favorite CSS framework. Talk about that t…

>"Tossing CVs down an HR portal (to nowhere) isn't a way to find jobs. You find jobs by knowing people." No you can find jobs by applying for positions on listing on Indeed, Simply Hired, or direct listing on companies sites. It happens all the time. Yes developing a network is also good but that is not the only way to find a job as you are implying. I've gotten my last 3 jobs without "knowing people."

I am assuming that by changing your career 3+ times, you would be considered an experienced developer. If so, I would say that it's then safe to assume that your skill set and accomplishments speak for themselves to a degree. But for a junior developer without much professional experience, knowing someone or getting face-to-face time with someone may be their best shot at landing that entry position job. As a recent graduate, my 1st internship and ft offer were both through a career fair, and my other internship was through a friend's recommendation. When your skill set is so similar to so many other people in your position, sometimes the only thing that would set you apart is a personal touch.
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