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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

#191

Post by ShirsenduK »

Hii Olivier,

I am assuming I was in a similar place like you 8-10 years back. In retrospect, I have found that the following reasons affected my applications.

1. I was from an unknown college in an unknown place. Yahoo! or Microsoft wouldn't even look at my resume. Too much of unknown.

2. Startups wouldn't hire me as relocation is expensive and 8-10 years back the good startups were scrappy. Btw, aren't the best ones always scrappy? And you might have been applying to them as you want to work with the best.

3. I listed a lot of expertise which I had. But its hard to believe especially for HRs who get 100s of candidate everyday advertising they know everything only to be told by the interviewer that the candidate wasn't good. I am not doubting your skills but the problem is the noise. Most 23 year olds don't know how to read code.

How I overcame it and got a job.

1. I did my Masters so an MNC would hire me. I knew this hack/entry.

2. After getting into the MNC, I worked my ass off and kept applying to jobs focusing on the work I did at the MNC.

3. I got a job at an awesome startup!

And things started changing. Now I get replies to most of my applications.

And automated or copy paste resumes do work but HN crowd might not agree. But most of the industry is still very non HN.

Hope it helps. All the best and keep applying!

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

#192

Post by mixmastamyk »

balnaphone wrote: post #177
bsvalley wrote: post #158

Best tips for you. - Never mention where you're from or where you live. They'll figure it out when they'll give you a call (discrimination is bigger than you think). People hire similar profiles and take a lot of unfair shortcuts. If I'm not "franco-american", I'll have one extra information that could potentially make up my mind if I have 1000 Resume to look at. You're different than me, I will have to go outside of…

Agreed, providing information regarding age and nationality works against you. I wouldn't mention "based in Paris" either. The only point that may matter is if you have the legal ability to work in the US, and you can wait until they are interested to get into that. In fact, if you're an American citizen, use an American postal address -- it signals "you won't have to deal with immigration issues".

> providing information regarding age and nationality

While I believe it is common overseas, in the US it is considered a no-no. We like to think we live in a meritocracy.

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

#193

Post by gspetr »

verelo wrote: post #142
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 be…

> * 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.

If he was in Lima, Peru (It's also -5 TZ) would you have the same reservation?

Would you care if he was not american/canadian but say, a Russian living in Peru?

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

#195

Post by jacquesm »

Your best bet is to forget about writing applications but to get on the phone to the people that you've successfully worked with in the past and to ask them to refer you to one of their contacts in need of your skills. That's the fastest and most certain track to employment that I know of, it gets you to the head of the line without that pesky competition of 100 other guys and girls just as talented as you who are playing 'who can write the nicest resume' wars.

Best of luck!

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

#196

Post by jacquesm »

rajathagasthya wrote: post #155
tnones wrote: post #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. Perso…

> 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. Slightly off topic, but is being a generalist considered a bad thing?

It's great when you're 50, tends to message 'thin' rather than 'deep' when you're 23.

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

#197

Post by sparkling »

You might want to clarify your immigration status. You mentioned that you have previously worked in the US.

- Does that man you have a valid visa that allows you to work in the US?

- Do you have permanent residency?

- Do you have full (dual-)citizenship?

If so, mention that on your resume. There are many companies, especially small startups, who simply do not have the resources to deal with visa/immigration issues - perhaps that is why you are not getting any replies. If you currently do not hold a visa, you might want to specifically seek out companies that offer visa sponsorship.

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

#198

Post by olkid »

dtnewman wrote: post #66

A lot of the other comments are focusing on the content and style of your website. Here's the thing: Most employers are never going to look at that. Unless you are showcasing something truly incredible, even the ones who are actually interested may take a quick glance and then move on. What actually matters is your resume. That's the document that every single person is going to look at. Not everyone is going to read…

> snail mail

Uncommon advice. I like it! I am going to try it. Thank you.

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

#199

Post by kafkaesq »

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…

Saying things like "I learn fast" and "I'm a good communicator" don't get a recruiter's attention.

Right. You don't impress people by saying "I'm a good communicator." You impress them by... communicating well.

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