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Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

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Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#131

Post by syshum »

Tepix wrote: post #127
notch656a wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't believe in having multiple classes of free citizens. If a free person wants to, they could easily abduct a child, barring them from taking care of kids is a laughable feel-good policy that insults the notion that there should be no free second class citizen. If someone can't be trusted to not abuse children, they need to be jailed or on probation until they can be trusted. Those people can't be trusted in pub…

There is a huge grey area. Statistically, people who have committed a crime are more likely to commit crimes again than those who haven't. That makes for a good argument not to trust them as much, generally speaking. On the other hand, integrating them back into society (something that's lacking in the US) works well for most.

Well that depends on the crime, and a whole host of other factors including the fact that it is ciruclar logic.

We cant trust them because they re offend, but they re offend because of lack of opportunities created by society not trusting them....

It is certainly true for property crimes, drug crimes, and other such actions.

Violent crimes may be an exception to this, but then to the OP's point, if they are violent why are they out in the population to begin with?

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#132

Post by abakker »

3pt14159 wrote: post #114
gtaylor wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen background checks at most of the mid-to-large sized tech companies I've worked at.

I believe you, but I haven't. Though I haven't done much large sized tech company work other than the Nasdaq gig I mentioned, which was background checked. I think the overall point doesn't really change. Apply. Let other people dismiss.

I think it might be fair to point out that just because they ran a BGC on you, doesn't mean your current employer told you they did. Background checks are incredibly common and the low-stakes kind are pretty cheap to just run ad-hoc.

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#133

Post by emeraldd »

3pt14159 wrote: post #6

Apply for everything. Let other people say no for you. If people find out about your past be 100% straight with them, but you don't need to be the one to bring it up. Work your hardest to provide value, ask for feedback and correct where necessary. You'll be fine. There's a lot of work in cybersecurity these days. Also, you should list the country you're in. Who knows, someone on HN could reach out with an opportunit…

This seems very appropriate and relevant:

“By the time I was fourteen the nail in my wall would no longer support the weight of the rejection slips impaled upon it. I replaced the nail with a spike and went on writing.”

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/848294-by-the-time-i-was-fo...

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#134

Post by vageli »

abakker wrote: post #132
3pt14159 wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe you, but I haven't. Though I haven't done much large sized tech company work other than the Nasdaq gig I mentioned, which was background checked. I think the overall point doesn't really change. Apply. Let other people dismiss.

I think it might be fair to point out that just because they ran a BGC on you, doesn't mean your current employer told you they did. Background checks are incredibly common and the low-stakes kind are pretty cheap to just run ad-hoc.

Doesn't an employer need your consent to run a background check on you?

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#136

Post by [deleted] »

dazhbog wrote: post #123

Given your skills, I would recommend a startup or a consultancy (anything self-employed). This way you shield yourself from having to worry about disclosing your past to others, worrying about background checks, or the self-taught part (which should be irrelevant but oh well). Plus you grow in whatever direction you wish. If you want the job route then you need to apply to as many things as possible and find a story…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#137

Post by tgflynn »

If you've done so well with bug bounties do you really need a job, can't you make a living doing that ? I'm personally very interested in the answer to that question because that's a route I'm considering pursuing myself, being for a variety of reasons, outside the window of traditional employability. But if with your skills you can't make a living at it then I certainly don't have a shot.

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#138

Post by kelnos »

tgflynn wrote: post #137

If you've done so well with bug bounties do you really need a job, can't you make a living doing that ? I'm personally very interested in the answer to that question because that's a route I'm considering pursuing myself, being for a variety of reasons, outside the window of traditional employability. But if with your skills you can't make a living at it then I certainly don't have a shot.

Not the OP, but personally I'd be worried about the inconsistency of income. Maybe in the span of 4 months you make $100k off various bounties, but then in the next 4 months you only make $10k.

Then there's also the extra taxed you have to pay when you're self-employed, and the cost of health insurance (assuming US here, OP didn't say where they're from). Some people just like the security of full-time, salaried employment, with benefits.

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