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Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

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Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#51

Make it very clear in your cover letter what role you are looking for. With roughly 3 years experience, a Product designer doesn't seem apt. (for the recruiter, although you may be a genius). So something like "Web developer, with ambitions of growing towards a product manager/designer role". Once you get an opening into a company, and its a good match, your talents will be recognizable instantly.

> Once you get an opening into a company, and its a good match, your talents will be recognizable instantly.

This.

It's usually much easier to "climb the ladder" internally than to get hired to top positions from outside.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your last sentence isn't necessary.

Probably not, but I did think a conclusion was necessary.

Fair enough. I thought the point about the sites looking nearly identical was strong enough to end on.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#54
preface: take my advice, and everyone elses with a pinch of salt

The programmer in me appreciates the neatness and simplicity of your site, but recruiters are not programmers. they will see a "plain" website by someone selling themselves as a "designer".

My advice would be

1. re-target yourself as a Full Stack Developer. You have the skills for every level, from client UI right down to server and db stuff.

2. re-style your website. you don't have to give it a major overhaul, but maybe just try a few slight variations on that theme. use some fancy CSS3 effects. drop some shadows. use some transitions.

3. put a photo up there. a photo goes a long way

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#55
Stop being so honest and play the game. The game is getting an interview. That's all your resume is for.

Do you have a job, any job? A lot of places won't even consider you if you aren't already employed.

Do you have a list of buzzwords near the top of your resume? Many places receive so many resumes that automated filters are used to search through them, usually by buzzword.

If I were hiring you it would be for an entry level web developer position. If you like to see something happen when you click a button you are more of a developer than a designer.

Red flag - Misuse of css classes.

    *
Classes are about the meaning, not the content. What if you want to use # instead of *? Do you change all the class names to "hashtag"? If I were interviewing you this is something I would ask about.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#56
post #7

Maybe it's that you're experience says DESIGNER all over the place, but you seem to look for a " DEVELOPER with some extra product-design attributes" type job. This confuses the heck out of most recruiters , since they like to put people in "boxes with labels", like "product designer, "graphic designer", "frontend developer" etc. I mean, people can't even figure out "who should interview this guy?"... which leads to…

Thank you for your insight.

The thing is, I've always been in between both and as a result truly fit in neither position, compared to people who've specialized in one side.

I thought I would apply on the design side because it has always come more naturally to me, but maybe I should reevaluate.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#57
Figure out what you want and craft your resume to reflect that.

Big companies, as an excellent (though curiously downvoted) commenter noted, love long lists of tools you've "mastered". This is because they employ recruiters who don't have the technical chops to evaluate nor appreciate the nuance of your past experience.

If you want to work at startups, you need to use a different tack. When I started only doing startups, I added more of my personality to my resume and applied only to jobs in niches I cared about. I also invested a modicum of time in my network, getting a colleague or friend or acquaintance to "introduce" or recommend me.

Most importantly, I've never gone through the front door. I consider the "Apply now" button to be a passive filter. I avoid it like the plague.

Instead, I chat future co-workers up at meetups, asking them about their work. I contact companies that aren't even advertising positions (every company that's not shrinking is always hiring). Most importantly, I research the company and email individuals I'd like to work with directly. Not my CV, mind you, but I send a small, respectful note and put my linkedin profile and github handle in my signature block.

I know some people find this approach annoying, but it puts your name and email in front of a real person, establishing a direct human connection. That's powerful. And, unlike recruiters or people tasked with handling the application queue, the person you email has little incentive to toss your email in the trash.

Remember, the goal is always to stand out from the crowd, show initiative, and demonstrate your creativity. Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably not, but I did think a conclusion was necessary.

Fair enough. I thought the point about the sites looking nearly identical was strong enough to end on.

Well, thanks for pointing it out. Either way; an insult wasn't a good way to end it.

Re: Ask HN: I’ve been applying to a million jobs

#59
Maybe you could benefit of a faster message flow. Something like:

Hello. I'm Olivier Breton, a 23 y/o Franco-American Product Designer; UI/UX Designer, Developer and Entrepreneur.

Instead:

@Olivier Breton (pause)

Lets put a nice line here for no reason

Hello. (pause)

My name is Olivier Breton. (pause, Yes, you said it before)

I'm a 23 year old Franco-American (pause)

Product Designer—UI/UX Designer—Developer—Entrepreneur. (and now, avalanche of terms)

Visually each term must have clear boundaries. There is not need to fuse it. I read this line as: I'm a product, I'm a Designer-UI/UX and I'm a Desigdevelopreneur, whatever It means.

That sounds a little shy, and maybe also robotic IMHO.

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