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Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

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Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#1

Post by ccdev »

As in, to obtain a job through someone in that network. That's my situation at the moment. I'm a software engineer who doesn't have any peers that work a similar job. I also lost my job, and socially I mostly keep to myself as an introvert. Also, I am not entry-level in this. I have been in the field since 2007.

I was laid off from my last job and my ex-employer doesn't know anyone else that is looking to hire a software engineer. He just sometimes messages me saying "I might have some work for you to do" as short term gigs but it's nothing full-time and not sustainable at all to make a living of.

With that said, I started submitting job applications as a total stranger, but also tried hitting up the people I already know. It is then that I realized none of my local friends are in software engineering.

I posted an announcement on my Facebook wall saying I'm currently in the market and that if anyone knows anyone that's hiring for a SWE to send me a message.

I didn't get replies from the post (have 120 or so FB friends). One of my friends re-posted it with similar wording, but he didn't get any replies either.

So now I'm thinking that I'm approaching my network wrong. There has to be a better way to find the diamonds in the rough. If you had to find a new job and don't have one, in what way would you approach a network if it was like mine?

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#2

Post by Cozumel »

Maybe you're looking at it a little wrong. Maybe some of your friend run a business and need some IT help, maybe they need a website?

Try reframing it from their perspective, not what they can do for you (tell you if people are hiring) but what you can do for them (make them a website, sort out their IT etc)

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#3

Post by ccdev »

Cozumel wrote: post #2

Maybe you're looking at it a little wrong. Maybe some of your friend run a business and need some IT help, maybe they need a website? Try reframing it from their perspective, not what they can do for you (tell you if people are hiring) but what you can do for them (make them a website, sort out their IT etc)

Well, I did already post an announcement on Facebook saying that I'm looking for web development/software engineering work, and it got reposted by a friend. It didn't get any replies.

I also occasionally PM some of my friends on Facebook and on Hangouts if they are hiring or looking for web development help. None of them have any idea. I've been going on regular rotation with the PM's for about a year (I've been unemployed that long) and they always say sorry, they don't know anything about jobs for me.

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#4

Post by pszczurko »

Play the numbers game. You definitely have software development experience so apply 'as total stranger' to as many places as you can through their jobs section. With the giants (Google, FB, Amzn, etc) it may be harder to hear back from this way, but mid-sized and smaller companies are more likely to respond to you. While applying for internships and new grad positions, overall I applied to more places 'as total stranger' as opposed to via referrals from friends and received responses.

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#5

Post by ccdev »

pszczurko wrote: post #4

Play the numbers game. You definitely have software development experience so apply 'as total stranger' to as many places as you can through their jobs section. With the giants (Google, FB, Amzn, etc) it may be harder to hear back from this way, but mid-sized and smaller companies are more likely to respond to you. While applying for internships and new grad positions, overall I applied to more places 'as total stran…

Oh I'm playing the numbers game. Hitting up companies of all sizes. But I don't think it's something I should be doing for all your career.

>While applying for internships and new grad positions, overall I applied to more places 'as total stranger' as opposed to via referrals from friends and received responses.

I'm not a fresher, though. I have been working in the industry since '07. And yes this is how my network looks like. Zero fellow programmers, zero leads (apparently) to get work.

I never thought of the career as a chain of jobs where one job leads to recognition that helps you more easily get the next job. I thought one could do fine just looking for work in a vacuum every single time. But guess I was wrong...

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#6

Post by nilson »

ccdev wrote: post #5
pszczurko wrote: post #4

Play the numbers game. You definitely have software development experience so apply 'as total stranger' to as many places as you can through their jobs section. With the giants (Google, FB, Amzn, etc) it may be harder to hear back from this way, but mid-sized and smaller companies are more likely to respond to you. While applying for internships and new grad positions, overall I applied to more places 'as total stran…

Oh I'm playing the numbers game. Hitting up companies of all sizes. But I don't think it's something I should be doing for all your career. >While applying for internships and new grad positions, overall I applied to more places 'as total stranger' as opposed to via referrals from friends and received responses. I'm not a fresher, though. I have been working in the industry since '07. And yes this is how my network l…

Have you tried to ask previous coworkers maybe they know somebody? There are certainly some programmers in your network. but mybe not on first "node".

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#7

Post by ccdev »

nilson wrote: post #6
ccdev wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh I'm playing the numbers game. Hitting up companies of all sizes. But I don't think it's something I should be doing for all your career. >While applying for internships and new grad positions, overall I applied to more places 'as total stranger' as opposed to via referrals from friends and received responses. I'm not a fresher, though. I have been working in the industry since '07. And yes this is how my network l…

Have you tried to ask previous coworkers maybe they know somebody? There are certainly some programmers in your network. but mybe not on first "node".

Yeah. I usually ask if they also know anyone that is hiring. So getting into second-degree connections. It's weird considering I live in a big city. I felt like I was dealt a bad hand, but just made it worse.

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#8

Post by dudul »

I think you may be confusing friend network and business network. After 10 years in the field, it is inacceptable that you don't have at least a dozen of past colleagues to call to get an internal referral. I personally don't use Facebook but it doesn't strike me as the best platform for that. Your buddies and college friends are one thing, your ex coworkers/reports/managers are another.

TBH, it should be easy to find a gig simply by applying to open positions that you find on interesting companies websites. However, I strongly recommend that you start working more seriously on your professional network in the future. Make sure you keep in touch with good colleagues, make sure you remain in good terms with everybody, etc.

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#9

Post by zhte415 »

Type up your CV and find recruiters.

They sometimes get a bad name, but that's also sometimes undeserved, and the good ones are like gold; they will often know people in their clients' business well. That's your pre-made network.

No need to show loyalty to one recruiter at the start. Get in touch with a few, and continue with the ones you like. You'll also be in their rollerdex forever more.

As you're still on good terms with your former employer, mention, emphasise this - you're laid off because of circumstances out of your control, not performance related.

Re: Ask HN: How would you leverage a network that doesn't know what you do?

#10

Post by ccdev »

dudul wrote: post #8

I think you may be confusing friend network and business network. After 10 years in the field, it is inacceptable that you don't have at least a dozen of past colleagues to call to get an internal referral. I personally don't use Facebook but it doesn't strike me as the best platform for that. Your buddies and college friends are one thing, your ex coworkers/reports/managers are another. TBH, it should be easy to fin…

I have a couple of work colleagues. I don't know if it makes a dozen. All but two of them have left the state since I've worked with them, so I can't meet most of them face to face anymore. They all do seem to have better careers than I do, though, so the potential to find a good position through them seems high. I have them on LinkedIn and have let several of them know that I'm currently looking for software engineer work. Currently they just don't know of any open positions.
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