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Looking for a Job Is Tough

(blog.kaplich.me)
184 points skaplich | 6 comments | 14 Nov 24 01:15 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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purple-leafy ◴[14 Nov 24 05:25 UTC] No.42133365[source]▶
It’s insanely tough. I’m currently searching.

For context - I’ve made 4 personal projects that currently have over 1000+ daily active users (numbers are ~1500, ~6000, ~14,000, and ~430,000) all created within the span of the last year. I’ve also sold software.

On top of all that, I have an Engineering degree, 4 years experience, no breaks in employment, study on my afternoons and weekends (C, Go, C#) and take extra university courses, and have some other high level achievements/recognition.

I apply for Intermediate and Senior positions.

So far I have 3 interviews lined up out of ~30-40 applications. About 10 rejections so far. 1 of those jobs is actually decent, the other 2 are desperation applications.

It’s brutal. I’m trying my absolute best, I don’t see how people that have been coasting have any chance.

You should be able to coast a bit in life.

I’m sad at the state of things, and sad for people trying to stay in the industry or break into the industry.

Makes me want to become a gardener

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1. thecolorblew ◴[14 Nov 24 15:17 UTC] No.42136993[source]▶
FYI, the personal projects might be a detriment rather than a help as it may come across as "this person will have split priorities or might leave to pursue individual interests"

For better or worse, I might not showcase those that much.

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2. avgDev ◴[14 Nov 24 19:31 UTC] No.42140172[source]▶
IMO a well rounded individual won't have much time for personal projects while working a full time job. They might be really good at writing code though.
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3. purple-leafy ◴[14 Nov 24 23:48 UTC] No.42142563[source]▶
But then I’m just the same as every other candidate and won’t hear from anyone?
4. jacobyoder ◴[16 Nov 24 16:46 UTC] No.42157331[source]▶
But if you don't have a job right now... you have time to put in to projects that can showcase your specific skills.

But then... you may end up demonstrating that you can take raw ideas and build an entire business out of them yourself, end to end, soup to nuts, and now you're threatening to others on the team who just want someone who codes, not a jack of all trades.

5. jacobyoder ◴[16 Nov 24 16:48 UTC] No.42157336[source]▶
Those projects can be demonstrating your skill/ability in all areas - testing, docs, UI/UX/DX, support, project management, sales/marketing and more. But now you're possibly (likely?) coming across as more accomplished than the rest of the team, and somehow you think you know more than others who've been at the company for years.
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6. ◴[21 Nov 24 10:00 UTC] No.42202692[source]▶