Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#1

Post by samfisher83 » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 4:57 PM UTC

All these hackerrank/leetcode tests + White board tests + all day interviews. How is it possible to work a full time job and dedicate enough time to get another job? Especially if you have been out of school for while. I got like 100 on my algorithms classes, but its been so long ago and its not like most developers write red black trees, suffix tree, heaps etc. I have started to review this stuff and it takes so much time.

Why can't we have some sort licensing board like a medical board so that you prove you can code, and then interviews aren't so time consuming.

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#2

Post by issa » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 5:11 PM UTC

I think one reason is that the interview process isn't JUST designed to check if you can code. While I agree that the process is broken, there are legitimate reasons why companies put up high barriers to entry.

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#3

Post by pradhyo » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 5:14 PM UTC

I am in the exact same situation - I am trying to get into machine learning from being a web developer so I am learning a lot of new things too.

After months of not finding time to do courses online, I've been studying between 5-7am for the last couple of weeks. Previously I would wake up, go straight to work, come back home tired and waste time on Netflix before going to bed. Now I spend less time for entertainment after work and sleep sooner because I have to wake up early.

This may not help you but thought I would share my experience.

Edit: Reading your question again and looking at the other comment, looks like your question may not be about time management so this may be irrelevant.

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#4

Post by lbriner » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 5:35 PM UTC

Doctors still have interviews even though they are licenced. As issa said, an interview tests your personality, ability to think on your feet and even how committed you are to the application - the effort proves you are very interested.

I totally agree on better industry accreditation though, it would be good to prove a basic level of qualification and experience although we have all met people who are great on paper and useless in real-life!

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#5

Post by joezydeco » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 5:45 PM UTC

You have to plan ahead. Use lunch breaks to talk to recruiters (don't do it in the office). Bank up vacation time to go on interviews. Use the occasional sick day to handle last-minute requests, but don't abuse it.

We all do this. Yes, it's a hassle.

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#6

Post by kentosi » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 6:47 PM UTC

I just went through this so let me give you my thoughts/experience.

Separate work and job-hunting as two different skill sets in your mind.

Use any note-taking tool of your choice (I used EverNote) and write up:

- Standard algorithm questions and answers to quickly revise on

- Soft questions (like name a time you rose to the challenge/etc) with pre-prepared answers.

- ANY f*ckups from previous interviews and how to not do that again

- ALL tech questions you were asked + solutions to revise.

I hope you get the gist of what I'm saying here. Job-hunting is a "mode" you enter in. It's like preparing for an exam where you're learning a whole bunch of stuff before-hand, but knowing very well that once the exam is over you'll forget everything.

This has already happened to you with algorithms. Same thing goes with jobs. You'll enter into algo-solving and interviewing mode, but once you have an offer you'll have the luxury of forgetting it all once you start working.

It's when you're back on the path of finding a job again that these notes you've taken serve as an anchor for quickly getting back into that job-hunting mode.

It's served me for years.

All the best.

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#7

Post by wan23 » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 6:55 PM UTC

Some kind of accreditation for software would save our industry so much time. It's crazy how many hours we spend asking and answering the same basic questions over and over. Imagine if we could focus on the important stuff in interviews!

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#8

Post by tomiplaz » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 7:08 PM UTC

pradhyo wrote: post #3

I am in the exact same situation - I am trying to get into machine learning from being a web developer so I am learning a lot of new things too. After months of not finding time to do courses online, I've been studying between 5-7am for the last couple of weeks. Previously I would wake up, go straight to work, come back home tired and waste time on Netflix before going to bed. Now I spend less time for entertainment…

How do you stay motivated? Do you have negative days, days full of doubt, insecurities, etc.?

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#9

Post by legohead » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 7:13 PM UTC

start studying[1] for the annoying whiteboard interviews. we all hate it, we all have to deal with it.

apply for some jobs you aren't that interested in to get used to interviewing again. you will typically get phone interviewed first so not much risk of interfering with your job.

you may need to take vacation (sick days) for some interviews.

[1] https://github.com/mtdvio/every-programmer-should-know

Re: Ask HN: How to get a job while having a job?

#10

Post by bootsz » Fri, Dec 07, 2018, 7:22 PM UTC

Yes, the system sucks. That said, there are ways you can deal with it. Everyone's situation is different, and I don't know yours. But there's basically two main approaches you can take:

1) Don't devote much time to studying, and focus on companies that don't rely on whiteboarding leetcode-style interviews. They're harder to find, but they exist. FAANG probably isn't going to be an option, unless you get lucky.

2) Go all-in on studying. Make the time. Even an hour a day. Cut back on work and social obligations. Chip away at problems for several months. Keep track of the ones you get stuck on and re-do them a few weeks later. Try some practice interviews at sites like interviewing.io with real humans, and listen to their feedback. Repeat, repeat until you feel more confident. It takes time, but it pays off.