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Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

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Re: Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

#122

Post by helpmehn »

wickedchicken wrote: post #54

Don't underestimate the power of 'cold-calling.' While it's terrifying for people not used it to it, you'd be surprised how friendly people are when contacted out of the blue for a legitimate question. Find some developers on open source projects you like, see where they work (either location-wise or company-wise) and send them an e-mail saying "Hey, I wanted to thank you for writing/contributing to the X software pa…

Thanks. I appreciate the suggestion.

Re: Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

#123

Post by 18pfsmt »

helpmehn wrote: post #115
18pfsmt wrote: post #67

I may be able to help you directly with work rather than give advice. Whether you are married, have kids, or other obligations is of major importance, however. I could even possibly set you up with your own br/ba once my remodel is finished. I prefer not to use email without GPG, so rather than email I will put my phone number in my profile if I see you are actively following the replies.

Thanks. I appreciate this.

Apparently, I can't do what I thought I could. So, I am going to delete this phone number shortly (I will go to bed at ~2230 (MST).

edit: removed.

Re: Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

#124

Post by neilk »

helpmehn wrote: post #114
neilk wrote: post #60

Aside from the "move immediately" advice, I'd suggest getting your code out there in a more public way. This dramatically increases your chances of being hired, because it replaces the technical interview. You just have to prove that you're capable of dealing with other human beings, and most people can do that. Do something -- anything -- to get your code out there. Even if it's the most obscure and idiosyncratic li…

Can you tell me more about how you accomplished this?

I'm not sure I would call it an accomplishment. More like a happy accident, but in retrospect I should have been doing that sort of thing all the time.

Frustrated with my inability to find employment, I did a series of hacks which became really popular. One succeeded because I like hacks which produce pretty pictures and so do a million other blogs. Another involved AJAX, which was a hot buzzword at the time (2005), and that got attention from from employers, who started calling me out of the blue. Whereas a few months prior I'd washed out of an interview with a local website that did used car listings.

I was well-prepared for the mega-hyped trend that was AJAX and JavaScript (self-taught comp sci, graphic design, web experience), so I was lucky. I had to prove myself in other ways afterwards though. The point is, these days, having code out there that people can download and evaluate will at least get you through the front door.

Re: Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

#125

Post by Natsu »

justin_vanw wrote: post #75

Your description really isn't enough to give you advice. You should post your resume online somewhere and link to it. But, based on what you said, I can tell you: Using Python in school and at a job doesn't make you a Python Hacker. From your description of yourself it sounds like you mostly play with programming. It may just be the way you worded it, but what was the last 'major' software project you have worked on,…

I looked at that challenge. Is it really that much harder than FizzBuzz? Seems like it requires more string manipulation and about the same level of mathematics as FizzBuzz.

Or am I falling victim to the effect where everything I know how to do looks easy?

Re: Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

#126

Post by timtadh »

tptacek wrote: post #105
rdouble wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well I mean, are there any specific companies or industries in those towns? Or is the idea just a bigger town with more programming jobs at banks, insurance companies, etc? Genuinely curious. If the idea is to uproot to another mid-sized midwestern city to get a generic programming job, why not suggest somewhere civilized, like Minneapolis? Alternatively, if one is so desperate as to consider moving to Cleveland to f…

Cleveland isn't a terrible city. You don't have to be desperate to move there. I think we are ultimately in agreement that he should move to a real metro area.

@tptacek thanks for saying this. Cleveland really isn't terrible and there are programming jobs here. There is a bit of a startup scene and they are looking for programmers. I can try and dig up contacts if some one wants me too.

Columbus also has a pretty good tech scene. Battelle has good reputation in the area and there are a number of other good companies in Columbus as well. I am attending PyOhio this week and there are lots of Python people here as well.

In general I believe Cleveland has more VC chasing after ideas than Columbus, particularly biotech ideas (between Cleveland Clinic and Case Western there is huge amount of expertise in Cleveland on biotech). However, Columbus is in general more of a growing city.

Conclusion: there are jobs in both cities, and you don't have to be desperate to live there.

Re: Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

#127

Post by timtadh »

rdouble wrote: post #106
tptacek wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cleveland isn't a terrible city. You don't have to be desperate to move there. I think we are ultimately in agreement that he should move to a real metro area.

I agree with moving somewhere else but will have to "agree to disagree" about Cleveland... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

Yes it is a funny video but it isn't really representative of the city. Yes Clevelanders have all laughed at this video. For a positive take on the city see: http://juliaincleveland.tumblr.com/

Re: Ask HN: Desperate Python Hacker Seeking Help and Suggestions

#128

Post by wyclif »

pyre wrote: post #90
wyclif wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just curious, what do they do about visas for American employees?

NAFTA has some exceptions for software-type jobs, but there is a requirement of 2+ years of experience. I looked into this like 6 years ago, though. I don't know what the situation now is. Some companies are not too keen on treading the work visa waters though.

Thanks, I ask because in terms of geography and distance, it's an order of magnitude different than, say, a programmer coming to the US on an HB-1 or an American going to the UK. It seems like they could get some decent American programmers without the new hires having to move too far. But probably not without visa help, right?
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