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Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

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Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#311

Post by deanak »

snakedoctor wrote: post #110
void_mint wrote: post #18

Have you tried asking any of the jobs that rejected you're getting rejected? Honestly, just a guess, you're probably giving off bad interpersonal vibes/people don't really like talking to you. Half of interviewing is just being very personable/being able to talk comfortably with other people. Generally in this space (this space meaning those interested in tech/startups/etc) sometimes people struggle in this area but…

I've tried asking companies for feedback. Some respond, and some don't. I think that most don't due to legal reasons. I did move to Austin when I received a lump sum of money, and hanged with some people IRL. Some would ratify that I'm awkward lol. But there was a lot of good vibes while I was in Austin. Now that I'm back where I grew up I find that I'm more depressed, and surly. State goverment here is more Laissez-…

I would not listen to any advice on HN. I have a pretty solid hiring strategy, but it got downvoted to hell because HN skews to people without much real world experience. They can only think of tech products to sell to other tech companies. (I'm a CTO, and I've raised seed money for two different products. Our market is small -- under 200MM ARR -- but our nearest competitor starts at $30k per year and their product is terrible).

Focus on smaller companies that need help solving actual business problems with automation. Offer to do a project for $20 an hour. Get a job doing straight up IT stuff until you earn their trust, and then show them what you can do software wise. There is a lot of room for competent IT people, but you need to be way more realistic about who is going to hire you.

Honestly, I don't know why anyone wants to work for Google anyways. I took a developer course from one of their former employees, and it was a fucking joke. His ego trip was so ridiculous he said the words "no good Javascript developer uses four space indentions. Have you ever seen one??" And I was thinking, yes, in the library you had us review last week.

Lots of imposters and jackasses out there. Do honest work for smaller companies. It can lead to a lot more opportunity.

Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#312

Post by snakedoctor »

soso_sesame wrote: post #209

I'm assuming you're trying to get an engineering job but its a bit unclear? I think what a lot of people miss about engineering jobs is that the first job is definitely hard, partly because people are giving you a bunch of money to do something that is difficult to quantify that may or may not make their business. Apply everywhere and be very ready to take the first job. If you want to get a big tech engineering job,…

I google'd OHP and Oregon Health Plan was the first thing that popped up. It seems like only people living in the state of oregon qualify for OHP. I currently live in the southern united states. I've used interviewcake, and looked at leetcode problems etc.. to prepare for dev interviews.

Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#314

Post by irjustin »

santoshalper wrote: post #292
klyrs wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, you're absolutely right. I wish that I'd said "this behavior sounds creepy / learn to avoid creepy behavior."

Well, there is an edit link right there in your post. I would describe op's behavior as "desperate" more than creepy. Desperation is really easy to spot and unappealing, my guess is that is shows through in interviews.

Desperate is what the primary person feels. Creeped out is what the receiving person feels.

When does desperate become creepy? Everyone has a different definition.

If I was an exec on the receiving end, I'd definitely be put off by all of this.

Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#315

Post by pierrefermat1 »

rsweeney21 wrote: post #84

I'm a software engineer that runs a technical recruiting company. I worked at Microsoft and Netflix for a decade. Email me at robert at facet dot net. I will interview you and tell you why you're not getting hired.

Just wanted to say this is really wholesome!

Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#316

Post by deanak »

deanak wrote: post #311
snakedoctor wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've tried asking companies for feedback. Some respond, and some don't. I think that most don't due to legal reasons. I did move to Austin when I received a lump sum of money, and hanged with some people IRL. Some would ratify that I'm awkward lol. But there was a lot of good vibes while I was in Austin. Now that I'm back where I grew up I find that I'm more depressed, and surly. State goverment here is more Laissez-…

I would not listen to any advice on HN. I have a pretty solid hiring strategy, but it got downvoted to hell because HN skews to people without much real world experience. They can only think of tech products to sell to other tech companies. (I'm a CTO, and I've raised seed money for two different products. Our market is small -- under 200MM ARR -- but our nearest competitor starts at $30k per year and their product i…

PS: Never sound desperate. If you have the skills, confidently and honestly explain them to anyone who will listen. Tell them you'll work for cheap to prove yourself. You should have a job in no time.

Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#317

Post by livinginfear »

Your post provides a recruiter any number of reasons not to hire you. In addition to providing a personal history of failure and excuses, you're airing the dirty laundry of the companies you did work for. Your misgivings with these may or may not be legitimate, however what recruiter wants their name attached to you the next time you feel like airing your grievances with the last company to lay you off?

> "I tried cold contacting executives at a few companies..."

I'm not an executive, however I am a team lead. If you found some way to contact me directly, unsolicited, on my work phone or email, I would blacklist you. Especially if you had circumvented some security measure in order to do so, let alone spoofing what we can only assume is the phone number of another employee? The time and attention of these professionals is valuable. Procurement process exists to prevent executives at prominent, successful companies being interrupted in such an inappropriate manner.

You sound like you need to adjust your attitude. From your perspective it may seem that you're an underappreciated talent just waiting for someone to give them a chance. From the perspective of a recruiter or hiring manager you look like a serious liability. Especially if you're looking to make a leap upwards into your career's 'next step', it's extremely imperative that you demonstrate your ability to succeed in simpler, entry-level positions.

Your writing is terrible, and unprofessional. If you can't get through this thread without discussing your mental health problems that's a serious red flag.

Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#319

Post by iux »

My 2 cents and honest opinion. Don't give up too easily. Why did you quit IBM without another offer? You had a job though with low pay. Getting you step on the door is the hardest part. Don't give up after that. Try to get any job for that matter and I can assure you persevering will pay off. I'm talking from my experiance

Re: Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?

#320

Post by iux »

My 2 cents and honest opinion. Don't give up too easily. Why did you quit IBM without another offer? You had a job though with low pay. Getting you step on the door is the hardest part. Don't give up after that. Try to get any job for that matter and I can assure you persevering will pay off. I'm talking from my experience
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