Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 28 posts

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#11

Post by TheOneTrueKyle »

I have been looking for a developer position since 2013. I am still looking. I currently work as a test Engineer and have a steady income, but life is genuinely getting worse and worse as time goes by.

Contrast that with blog posts of 20 somethings telling you how to be happy and be productive on medium as they enjoy their Facebook job is quite frustrating and can make things worse.

I am starting to build a brand in the hopes that I can make something out of it and never have to worry about finding a development job.

Besides not listening to people on the interwebs, I don't really have any advice. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#13

Post by fuckdang »

I have been looking for a developer position since 2013. I am still looking. I currently work as a test Engineer and have a steady income, but life is genuinely getting worse and worse as time goes by.

Contrast that with blog posts of 20 somethings telling you how to be happy and be productive on medium as they enjoy their Facebook job is quite frustrating and can make things worse. On top of that, I get banned here for trying to get real questions while other hide behind logic so I don't ever really get advice and guidance from people.

I am starting to build a brand in the hopes that I can make something out of it and never have to worry about finding a development job.

Besides not listening to people on the interwebs, I don't really have any advice. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#14

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

fuckdang wrote: post #13

I have been looking for a developer position since 2013. I am still looking. I currently work as a test Engineer and have a steady income, but life is genuinely getting worse and worse as time goes by. Contrast that with blog posts of 20 somethings telling you how to be happy and be productive on medium as they enjoy their Facebook job is quite frustrating and can make things worse. On top of that, I get banned here…

What kind of brand are you trying to build with that username?

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#15

Post by fuckdang »

HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #14
fuckdang wrote: post #13

I have been looking for a developer position since 2013. I am still looking. I currently work as a test Engineer and have a steady income, but life is genuinely getting worse and worse as time goes by. Contrast that with blog posts of 20 somethings telling you how to be happy and be productive on medium as they enjoy their Facebook job is quite frustrating and can make things worse. On top of that, I get banned here…

What kind of brand are you trying to build with that username?

I'm not. Two separate things.

edit: downvotes are cool. I expect it from this community. Don't let people get you down OP. Probably go somewhere more supportive

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#16

Post by staunch »

You may want to specialize. Not many companies hire "Programmers". They mostly hire "$LANG Programmers" but that's fine because you can learn many values of $LANG.

So if you want an ASP.NET, NodeJS, or C# job then learn ASP.NET, NodeJS, or C#.

The trick is to specialize in something you're actually excited about, so that you can become proficient.

1. Learn ASP.NET (build projects, do free work, whatever).

2. Change your resume to say "ASP.NET Programmer".

3. Apply for ASP.NET jobs.

4. Ace ASP.NET interviews.

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#17

Post by isuckatcoding »

> Hoboken

> $1 billion

Definitely jet.com

I'd suggest removing that information in case your interviewer becomes aware of this thread

Also 40k is really low even for a new grad. Look elsewhere. Also don't apply to new grad jobs (nor should you present yourself as a new grad even if you are).

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#18

Post by codegeek »

$40K is low for entry level programming jobs in the tri-state area (NY/NJ/CT). If you have 2+ years of experience, you should definitely ask for more but I of course don't know your current situation.

If you are having trouble getting hired, look at your experience so far and focus on being a "specialist" of some sort. For example, don't apply to any random programming job. Pick a couple of areas which could either include specific languages/frameworks (node etc) OR a domain (finance, retail etc). You need to be good at one of those areas.

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#19

Post by EugeneFedotov »

isuckatcoding wrote: post #17

> Hoboken > $1 billion Definitely jet.com I'd suggest removing that information in case your interviewer becomes aware of this thread Also 40k is really low even for a new grad. Look elsewhere. Also don't apply to new grad jobs (nor should you present yourself as a new grad even if you are).

Sorry, it's not Jet. The company was The Children's Place (I should've said right by Hoboken, but was trying not to out them). Jet is actually a much greater company, and I have previously interviewed with them.

Re: Ask HN: What to do when you're denied to every New Grad position?

#20

Post by EugeneFedotov »

JSeymourATL wrote: post #12

Focus on Old School networking, actually go out and meet people. Here's a Hoboken Tech Meetup, good place to start > https://www.meetup.com/njtech/

I've been a part of that meetup. I actually volunteered at Propeller, and know Aaron Price well.
Post reply on HN