mej10 comments on Advice On Getting A Software Job - Less Wrong

22 Post author: alyssavance 09 July 2012 06:52PM

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Comment author: fubarobfusco 10 July 2012 01:08:51AM 6 points [-]

Honestly, I should probably just apply to some places and see if I can get a better job, but for some reason I am afraid I will just get turned down.

Consider it rejection therapy, then. It turns out it's OK to be turned down; and you might at least learn something about the interview experience.

Some thoughts:

  • Try working for a larger organization where there are more diverse internal opportunities.
  • Try working for a much smaller organization (i.e. a startup or small nonprofit) where you are compelled to work on different aspects of the project.
  • Try programming-as-sport: programming competitions such as Ludum Dare.
  • Try a different technical hobby — learn digital electronics, for instance.
  • Find an open-source project that you already have an incentive to work on. Do you use an open-source text editor or other tools? Are there features you'd like those tools to have?
Comment author: mej10 10 July 2012 02:24:42AM 1 point [-]

Thanks for responding, this is a good comment and I have considered some of what you suggest.

I do work in a very large organization, and there is a huge amount of technology in use here. The big problem is that technology is a cost center. They will never (without major changes to how the business works) do anything technologically innovative due to this. That is part of my problem with it.

I am looking at several startup jobs in the area that use more interesting technologies. I'm hoping that my incomplete side projects are enough proof that I don't only know/care about Java.

I use a ton of open source stuff (emacs, rails, countless libs) I just have problems putting myself out there when it comes to contribution.

Comment author: gjm 10 July 2012 11:12:18AM 4 points [-]

my incomplete side projects

Complete at least one.

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