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Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

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Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#11

Post by dromedariusCase »

MisterSandman wrote: post #9
f1shy wrote: post #6

In line with the other comments, which I find extremely good. Just follow the KISS principle: first experience, then education, last languages (with skill level). Awards, Projects and further comments, at the end, if there is place for that in one page. Maybe if they are asking for somebody with BLAS experience you can add that specific point, but if not, maybe better do not even mention it. Mind you: you are searchi…

As someone applying for internships rn and has talked to recruiters, the expected order is: Education, Experience, Projects. Not a huge deal at all but if you're from a decent university then making it standout is important. (This is for inter ships and new grad)

Just wanted to interject and ask, Am I from a decent university?

I've been thinking about trying to transfer to one a bit better but I dont know if it's worth the time / money

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#12

Post by dromedariusCase »

jjice wrote: post #4

Some resume tips (not a professional, just a software engineer who has looked at lots of resumes): - Keep it to one page. Not a hard and fast rule, but generally recommended. The times where 2 pages is generally more acceptable is when you're a senior engineer with serious breadth of experience. - Maximize space on the page. Goes along with the previous point, but your resume can be tight. I personally used a smaller…

Thanks for responding with some tips,

Any examples of what would be an impressive junior developer resume? I think I'm lacking a lot of content which is why I added so much filler.

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#13

Post by dromedariusCase »

roflyear wrote: post #3

Hi boss, First, you can view your name in your GitHub. Might want to remove that for HN. Your GitHub activity is also private. I would just remove the link if you don't want to make it public. I also don't like your GitHub picture. I would use something else or no picture. Put a BIO in your GitHub if you're going to keep it. Regarding your resume, I would put the awards near the bottom. Start with any job experience,…

Thank you for the long response,

About experience, the thing is I don't have any... and I don't know how to get my foot into the door to get some. Any tips?

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#14

Post by roflyear »

dromedariusCase wrote: post #13
roflyear wrote: post #3

Hi boss, First, you can view your name in your GitHub. Might want to remove that for HN. Your GitHub activity is also private. I would just remove the link if you don't want to make it public. I also don't like your GitHub picture. I would use something else or no picture. Put a BIO in your GitHub if you're going to keep it. Regarding your resume, I would put the awards near the bottom. Start with any job experience,…

Thank you for the long response, About experience, the thing is I don't have any... and I don't know how to get my foot into the door to get some. Any tips?

Try to see if anyone you know is looking for an intern.

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#16

Post by dromedariusCase »

gardenhedge wrote: post #15

It looks like you're not finished your degree? If you're finishing this year put a date in. If you're not finishing this year then that is why you aren't getting any offers.

I'm finishing my degree in the year 2024, I'm actually class of 2025, but I think I rat-raced enough in HS with AP tests that I can probably graduate in 3 instead of 4 years. Are internships mostly for graduating students? I thought they were everyone above 1st year.

Should I just look for junior-dev jobs to do while in uni instead?

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#17

Post by VoodooJuJu »

web99 wrote: post #5

Start contributing to open source projects you like, and write blog posts on topics you learn about. Then reach out to engineering leaders at growth stage startups. They are always resource constrained. And generally speaking they hire for potential at the entry levels based on demonstrated passion for coding and systems design via Github and/or blogs. And yes, fix your resume with the other tips in this thread.

How would you search for a "growth stage" startup? Any telltale keywords or signs?

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#18

Post by jjice »

dromedariusCase wrote: post #12
jjice wrote: post #4

Some resume tips (not a professional, just a software engineer who has looked at lots of resumes): - Keep it to one page. Not a hard and fast rule, but generally recommended. The times where 2 pages is generally more acceptable is when you're a senior engineer with serious breadth of experience. - Maximize space on the page. Goes along with the previous point, but your resume can be tight. I personally used a smaller…

Thanks for responding with some tips, Any examples of what would be an impressive junior developer resume? I think I'm lacking a lot of content which is why I added so much filler.

Honestly, junior resumes are hard. There's a lot of them and there isn't a ton to me that jumps out. Prior experience (catch 22, I know) is always a big plus, but a few concentrated projects you're proud of is nice.

I personally don't care about projects that are listed as class projects, but something that someone went of of their way to explore.

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#19

Post by woopwoop24 »

advise another engineer gave me, when i was younger, was: "be confident and expect you are 100% the candidate they are searching for" e.g. don't say something i would like to hear back or whatever, say something like: "i am happy to tell you more in phonecall or face to face" expecting that the person on the other end wants to meet you, or even more so has no other choice than to pick you after reading your resume.

ps. looking at your resume i would also restructure, not leading with awards and what is "Wrote Software for Upwork " supposed to mean? also a lot of your github repos lack proper readme's. And i don't know what you put in your cover letter but i cannot see what you want to do or learn or what you are burning for.

Re: Ask HN: What am I doing wrong?

#20

Post by gardenhedge »

dromedariusCase wrote: post #16
gardenhedge wrote: post #15

It looks like you're not finished your degree? If you're finishing this year put a date in. If you're not finishing this year then that is why you aren't getting any offers.

I'm finishing my degree in the year 2024, I'm actually class of 2025, but I think I rat-raced enough in HS with AP tests that I can probably graduate in 3 instead of 4 years. Are internships mostly for graduating students? I thought they were everyone above 1st year. Should I just look for junior-dev jobs to do while in uni instead?

I totally missed the word 'intern' in your post. I don't know much about applying for internships to be honest. In my company (not big tech, not USA) we normally take people through organised agreements with colleges
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