Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job? • Hacker News Board

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#11

Post by codeslush » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:27 AM UTC

stc wrote: post #9

codeslush wrote: post #8

Where are you geographically located now? From your prior comments, I've seen NY and SFO.

Thats where I spend most of my time. NY right now for the holidays.

I'm curious if you've considered work that isn't 100% dev focused, but a combination of tech/people focused. e.g. systems/sales consultant? Do you like to travel? Can you talk to people? Do you desire to be deep in dev, or more surface level?

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#12

Post by mark_story » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:28 AM UTC

I come from a similar situation. I graduated with a degree in commercial art and illustration. After slinging coffee for a year, and trying to get freelance work started unsuccessfully, I threw in the towel.

I went into programming, as it was a good fit for me. Since I too had no formal experience, I got involved with open source as a way to gain experience and learn from people who were more experienced and knowledgable. Getting involved in open source, was probably the single best move for my career that I ever made. It opened opportunities I would have probably never had, allowed me to talk to really brilliant people, and gave me visible experience that has helped me land all of my employment. I highly recommend contributing to an open source project as a way to get experience and exposure.

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#13

Post by andrewljohnson » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:37 AM UTC

Make an iPhone app, make some money, and never get a job.

I would recommend you either make a Bible app, or a Menstruation Calendar app. Those would both not require any server-side programming, and they are proven ways to make money.

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#14

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:38 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#15

Post by chc » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:43 AM UTC

andrewljohnson wrote: post #13

Make an iPhone app, make some money, and never get a job. I would recommend you either make a Bible app, or a Menstruation Calendar app. Those would both not require any server-side programming, and they are proven ways to make money.

I see so many people suggesting this, and I just don't get it. A very small percentage of iPhone apps even get into the high four-figures. That's not even quit-your-side-job money, much less quit-your-day-job.

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#16

Post by angelbob » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:43 AM UTC

The github account is nice, but it requires effort to explore, and you're trying for an entry-level position. You may need a better presentation of your skills.

That probably means an online portfolio with tools, summaries and screenshots. It's not hard to put one together, but here's a really simple "step-by-step" one that you can push to Heroku within about 15 minutes: https://github.com/noahgibbs/bobfolio

ETA: My own portfolio is here, for comparison: http://angelbob.com/portfolio

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#17

Post by jfeldstein2 » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:44 AM UTC

Use the same approach that works well for classically trained engineers:

Make something good, keep learning. Then show you are doing both of these.

Hired.

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#18

Post by stc » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:45 AM UTC

codeslush wrote: post #11

stc wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thats where I spend most of my time. NY right now for the holidays.

I'm curious if you've considered work that isn't 100% dev focused, but a combination of tech/people focused. e.g. systems/sales consultant? Do you like to travel? Can you talk to people? Do you desire to be deep in dev, or more surface level?

Funny you should ask. I come from a sales/marketing background and can talk to people. I do not need a 100% dev role but also do not really like sales however something that included consulting and really providing value I could be interested in.

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#19

Post by angelbob » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:50 AM UTC

[deleted] wrote: post #14

[deleted]

Well, do you have a resume? That's the big obvious box to check, and what I'm surprised not to see here. You can include personal and class projects on your resume, as well as links to your github account and, if you have one, a portfolio or other online project(s).

Re: Best approach for self-taught developer looking for job?

#20

Post by codeslush » Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 3:54 AM UTC

stc wrote: post #18

codeslush wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm curious if you've considered work that isn't 100% dev focused, but a combination of tech/people focused. e.g. systems/sales consultant? Do you like to travel? Can you talk to people? Do you desire to be deep in dev, or more surface level?

Funny you should ask. I come from a sales/marketing background and can talk to people. I do not need a 100% dev role but also do not really like sales however something that included consulting and really providing value I could be interested in.

You can be very technical and still involved in the sales process and add value! In fact, the combination of people skills and tech skills is very rare and commands a pretty good salary. If you're totally turned off by the sales process, you can go into professional services and be much more technically involved, but still work with people. Professional services requires almost 100% travel, and isn't for everyone. Let me know if you're interested in either of these and I'll reach out to you.