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If you don’t have pet projects, I don’t think I want you

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Re: If you don’t have pet projects, I don’t think I want you

#101

Post by Fliko »

rickmb wrote: post #53

In my experience, candidates with major pet projects, especially ones that aren't related to their current job, fall into one or more of the following categories: * They don't have life, and are usually not the most pleasant people to work with, let alone communicate with non-programmers. * For some reason cannot find a job that involves the passion/knowledge/skill they put into their pet project. The job market for…

I do think that people can have a real passion for programming, have a life, and be able to work in a professional environment. They probably already have a job, or will get one very soon. All the points you listed are totally valid though, and I totally agree with your last point.

Re: If you don’t have pet projects, I don’t think I want you

#102

Post by dagw »

0x12 wrote: post #24

If you have a life, I don't want you. If you have a family, I don't want you. If you have enough energy to do your work but not enough energy that after work you can work some more, I don't want you. What is it that makes employers so enamored of people with 'pet projects'? Are they easier to take advantage of? Do they work long hours without expecting compensation? Does not having dependents mean that it's easier to…

If you have a family, I don't want you.

Is that really so unreasonable? I have a 1 year old daughter, and I'll be the first to admit that she'll take priority over any work project at any time. Looking around the office, the people without kids tend to work longer hours, to more unpaid overtime and take less days off. Is it really so unreasonable for an employer to want to those sorts of people.

Re: If you don’t have pet projects, I don’t think I want you

#104

Post by wccrawford »

jeromeparadis wrote: post #94
0x12 wrote: post #24

If you have a life, I don't want you. If you have a family, I don't want you. If you have enough energy to do your work but not enough energy that after work you can work some more, I don't want you. What is it that makes employers so enamored of people with 'pet projects'? Are they easier to take advantage of? Do they work long hours without expecting compensation? Does not having dependents mean that it's easier to…

Like the person who wrote the article and as someone who has hired for more than a decade for my own businesses, I've noticed my best developers had pet projects. They tend also to be the most passionate about developing. It's not an absolute rule, but I found a good indicator. As for having a life, let me tell you I have a 6 months old who spent 1.5 months of his life in the hospital, a wife, I'm CTO and co-founder…

"A good indicator" - And that's all it should be. This guy uses it as absolute criteria.

Re: If you don’t have pet projects, I don’t think I want you

#105

Post by jeromeparadis »

Fliko wrote: post #100
jeromeparadis wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Like the person who wrote the article and as someone who has hired for more than a decade for my own businesses, I've noticed my best developers had pet projects. They tend also to be the most passionate about developing. It's not an absolute rule, but I found a good indicator. As for having a life, let me tell you I have a 6 months old who spent 1.5 months of his life in the hospital, a wife, I'm CTO and co-founder…

I find it extremely hard to believe that you have 6-8 hours of sleep a night.

I would say 6 hours an average during weekdays. Maybe 9 hours of sleep during the weekend days.
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