Personally when I was unemployed my side projects helped me learn new skills, and fit my desire to do something with my spare time. Applying for jobs was a pain, building something was enjoyable and gave me hope
How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
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Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#62Why do I have to build side projects and memorize algorithm trivia to prove to employers that I know enough to do a job? What's the value of my degree if it doesn't tell employers that I know what I'm talking about? Why are software engineers the only ones with this problem (can you imagine if doctors had to memorize random trivia to get a job)?
> (can you imagine if doctors had to memorize random trivia to get a job)?
Comparing yourself to doctors, with the implication that it's easier for them, is pretty silly. Doctors have to memorize perhaps the most shit to get a job, and are frequently reevaluated on it through examinations to keep their license.
Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#63Man this article is so flawed, it's not even funny. I was going to comment earlier today but I was certain it would get buried. I'm a bit disappointed that it's still on the main page. Here's my take..
> Make sure your side project isn’t a waste of your time
A side project is never a waste of your time. It's a way to build something new, to exercise your creativity and passion, and to (when it's all said and done) ship something! I'd wager that 90%+ of "coders" have never built something from zero to hero. That is inherently a valuable thing, regardless of what your future boss thinks.
> Your side project, by itself, probably won’t get you a job
Okay, so? I'm pretty sure no sane person is going to go through the hard work of building a side project to impress during an interview. Not only that, but for a side-project to be successful, it also needs marketing, PR, networking, and so on. You probably won't have to do any of those things at your next programming job, but you most definitely need to do it when launching a side project.
> 1. Is your side project relevant to the job you’re applying to?
Again, who cares? Side projects should never be contingent on what jobs you're applying to.
> 2. Does your side project have depth?
Doesn't matter. A side project can be as shallow as Snapchat 1.0 (disappearing images? Sign me up). Run with it. Build something awesome and win at life.
> 3. Has your side project at least had 2 iterations?
I actually agree with this. Most of my MVPs are kind of shitty until I show them to a select group of friends and family that more often than not rip them to shreds. Fail fast, fail often.
> You have to bring attention to your side project
Yes, yes you do. But guess what: looking for a regular 9-5 programming job is completely antithetical to "bringing attention" to your side project. The latter of which involves emailing zillions of people, setting up mailing lists, getting featured on blogs, product design, going to talks, giving talks, and so on.
Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#64My own experience as tech recruiter, who looks at dozens of resumes a day, is that I only take some minutes to review your publicly available code. If I see commented code, rough violation of coding standards etc., that is bad and I will ask about it. So if you share side projects, remember that it gives the interviewer "attack surface" to disqualify you. However, good interviewers won't look 20% for your weaknesses…
Commented code is a negative now? Damned if you do, damned if you don't in this industry.
Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#65My own experience as tech recruiter, who looks at dozens of resumes a day, is that I only take some minutes to review your publicly available code. If I see commented code, rough violation of coding standards etc., that is bad and I will ask about it. So if you share side projects, remember that it gives the interviewer "attack surface" to disqualify you. However, good interviewers won't look 20% for your weaknesses…
Commented code is a negative now? Damned if you do, damned if you don't in this industry.
I think they meant commented-out code.
Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#66Man this article is so flawed, it's not even funny. I was going to comment earlier today but I was certain it would get buried. I'm a bit disappointed that it's still on the main page. Here's my take.. > Make sure your side project isn’t a waste of your time A side project is never a waste of your time. It's a way to build something new, to exercise your creativity and passion, and to (when it's all said and done) sh…
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Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#67Feel like some of the other comments are sort of missing the point of the article although the author probably could have been clearer in what his point was.
My take is that this is targeted toward people without any sort of traditional/university CS background trying to get into tech from scratch and in addition to taking a basic javascript course or whatever are following the standard advice you hear of "you need to have some side projects to get employers attention." Think its just trying to give some pointers to people going down that path with the very specific larger goal of it leading to a full time job.
So ya, I would bet the author would probably agree that side projects are almost valuable in and of themselves, but some are going to be more likely then others to lead towards a full time position, etc.
Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
And many times, my side projects are my way of relaxing. Some people relax by partying, some relax by walking their dog, some relax by spending time with their kids. And my choice of relaxation time is often just building something interesting that has zero self-employment or market value, but is just funny or cool. It is refreshing to do something for pure happiness and fun, after dealing with the unhappy real world…
Like you, I find it extremely relaxing to build pointless things. Do you have the same trouble I do in explaining that this isn't "work" to people close to you?
I didn't have that problem much in Boston, but I do have that problem after moving to the Bay Area. People just don't seem to get it.
No, I'm not planning on raising money for this side project.
No, I don't have a million users.
No, I don't know why people would want this.
No, it's not for a startup.
No, it's not related to my actual startup at all.
It's called having fun, damn it.
Re: How to not waste time on a side project when trying to get a job
#69Man this article is so flawed, it's not even funny. I was going to comment earlier today but I was certain it would get buried. I'm a bit disappointed that it's still on the main page. Here's my take.. > Make sure your side project isn’t a waste of your time A side project is never a waste of your time. It's a way to build something new, to exercise your creativity and passion, and to (when it's all said and done) sh…
The article also misses the point about intrinsic VS extrinsic motivation in software. Personally I think being motivated by money, careers, nice cars — whatever — is just fine. But I think the only way to know if you really want to stick with Programming, and especially any particular branch of programming, is by finding out what intrinsically motivates you.
That can be your rock to hold onto as burnout approaches...