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Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

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Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#71
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Said society has fairly simply automated self-cleaning restrooms. It’s really not that hard, or expensive.

Based on the fact that they are not in widespread use already, and I have never heard or seen one, it seems reasonable to assume that they do not exist, or are very expensive, or have some other limitation. I would be interested in looking at a link for these bathrooms that do not require human labor for upkeep. Either way, the point is different types of work exist with different difficulties/desirabilities, and peo…

Hard to imagine you’re posting in good faith when using the search engine of your choice with text “self cleaning restroom” comes up with more than enough.

That said, don’t think further debate with you will be anything close to fruitful.

edit:

In the year 2022, anything on the internet containing close to

> I have never heard or seen one

Very much leads me to believe the poster has an incurable case of brain worms

Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#72
post #70
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't recall hearing of (non-opensource) proprietary code being shown in an interview. Is that common in some circles? In a startup, I think I'd have to get an NDA from everyone, even if the code was mindless bulk glue code -- if only to avoid having to later mention that practice to investors who are checking our IP diligence. Would the following alternative work for you? In a great engineering environment, people…

This may happen more at large companies than at startups, but having interviewees sign NDAs is normal, isn’t it?

>but having interviewees sign NDAs is normal

I've certainly never had to sign one.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#73
post #30

Check out the Digital Services Coalition. https://digitalservicescoalition.org/#/story Like others have said, it depends a lot on what you find interesting, but these companies are doing good work trying to improve digital services for people who are in or interact with the government. Sometimes the projects are greenfield and you can choose your stack; sometimes you'll be dealing with legacy code, skeptical stakehol…

If someone is bored at work going to work for the federal government will _not_ improve that situation. Talk about boring and useless work!

Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#75

> I would kill for a job that feels even remotely useful or interesting. Public service as a freelance contractor. No, really. Depending on where you leave, this may pay good money (Netherlands) or next to nothing (Poland). But there will be many useful projects to work on.

What are some examples of this?

Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#77
This is a very hard question to answer.

If I would to say, find a product, service, or idea you believe in and see if the company behind it is hiring.

Your resume would likely get lost in the regular pipeline, so look for networking opportunities with existing employees.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#78
Sometimes you can get lucky and land an interesting job, but I think getting to do interesting work takes time (and luck). An anecdote from my past as an illustration: When I started my job at [FAANG] I was assigned a project. It was not mind-numbing, but not sexy either -- modernize the infrastructure while not messing up the site. Being new, I gave it my all and was rewarded a couple of years later by having the option to work on a very interesting project, used by tens of millions, with a clear user-visible outcome. Afterwards I usually had my choice of projects and teams inside that org.

Edit: I guess the actionable advice is to get into a company that is big enough to have _some_ interesting projects.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#79
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. Why is that though?

Because people who value specifics about a career or have a passion do it more out of that passion because they know it doesn't come with high pay. Take teaching for example. Also people working for non profit or other socially beneficial companies probably know the company budget goes to help more people not to pad CEO pockets... The lowest rung of essential jobs are the easiest ones to get so those most desperate f…

So a 1 bed appt in the state of Texas costs $1300 a week?

Re: Ask HN: Where do you find the interesting jobs?

#80
post #8

The weird irony of our society seems to be that the most useless jobs pay the most, while the most essential jobs pay the least. A lot of important work is being done by volunteers and charity organisations. The best paying jobs are often parasitic. Like stock manipulation.

Interesting downside of human psychology/market dynamics, if many want to help others e.g. as nurses or teachers, that positive trait is punished financially due to the high number of applicants

“teachers, that positive trait is punished financially due to the high number of applicants”

There are teachers shortages throughout the country. States are rushing to reduce certification standards. “A high number of applicants” isn’t the cause of low teacher wages.

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