Ask HN: Anybody looking to hire a noob developer with weak skills? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Anybody looking to hire a noob developer with weak skills?

10 pointsventurebros13 comments

I just graduated and I am looking for a position as a front end developer. I only have very basic PHP and Javascript skills. I'm now going through the difficult task of looking for a job or an internship but it seems like everyone wants more expert level in that area.

Can someone offer up any advice?

View on HN

You could sell yourself a bit better. "noob developer with weak skills" doesn't scream "hire me."

Embrace the positives. Say that you're a recent graduate with a good basic grounding in programming in X, Y, Z and willing to learn whatever you need. You're willing to relocate and are flexible about hiring. Say that. List any good examples of teamwork and/or projects that you have done. Believe in yourself.

Good luck.

Getting your first job in a field can be a pain, if I had a dollar for every time I saw an ad for a graduate position that wanted experience that you could only get by already having a similar job, I'd have been able to retire early...

Companies look for experience since it demonstrates your ability, do you have a design portfolio, even if it's just mock up sites you've done in your own time to learn?

I've done a fair bit of hiring for the company I work at (unfortunately we're not hiring at the moment) and if a candidate with little experience can show us the kind of things they can build we regard it more highly than someone who has had a job for a year but hasn't shown much initiative beyond being given a task list and doing it.

It may be hard for you to find a job directly. A lot of lower level positions are filled by temp agencies. I would recommend looking into that. Think of a temp agency like an internship where you actually get paid decently - it frequently turns into a full time position.

Another way to go is to freelance. There are always small businesses that need little help here and there with their website. The key to that is to build relationships.

For developers who have more experience and also looking for jobs, going to events and speaking with recruiters can work well. Doesn't work for less experienced though, because it's not worth going through a recruiter for that ($$).

Whats "weak?"

Where'd you go to school and do you have links to some stuff you've done? Were you a CS Major? Do you do design?

I'm an amateur too but I've gotten far enough to hack something together. Could use some help (specifically with JS and AJAX on this mobile webapp im working on. If that sounds up your alley, comment with your twitter handle, we're funded (angel) and would love to have another hand on deck.

Cant pay a ton of course while we're trying to keep burn low but if you've got hustle and are willing to learn, I'd love to chat w/ you.

Weak meaning my skills are on the novice level for javascript and PHP which is what is needed for a front end job.

I went to school at the Art Institute for Web Design but I realized I am not much of a designer and love to code.

I don't have a twitter but my email and portfolio with a couple stuff is up in my profile.

Find a place where you can talk to someone in power (i.e., not just HR) and demonstrate your passion for what the organization does (it helps if you actually have some).

I wiggled my way into my first programming job because I really liked what they did, and made it clear to them. My boss later told me that the code samples I submitted weren't very good, but anyone can learn to write code--He hired me because I really demonstrated a desire to do the work.

You should say where you are.

Sorry, I didn't mention it because I am willing to go any where. I am in Florida now.

Elance

Similar question, north SF Bay Area (Sonoma, Marin). I got a BS in CS last year and all of the entry-level jobs require 3+ years experience. Even the fast-food jobs require prior experience, no joke. I am currently back in school to refresh my IT skills, but I will be in the job market again in two months so I may as well start looking now. Is anyone in my area hiring inexperienced developers?

I'd suggest applying for those jobs anyways. Often times the boilerplate on a job posting has little relation to the employer's expectations. HR wrote that, copying what similar postings look like.

Well, you have to get creative with what you call experience. Don't lie, just "get creative". If you spent three years in school coding and working on programming projects, you have three years of development experience.

I looked on your website and it love the design - its beautiful.Movetampabay looks great as well. I think you should advertise yourself as a user interface designer. You said you are not much of a designer, but I think otherwise. If you really hate doing web design,then you should switch,but I think you have the talent to do well at it.

I also think you should put a picture of youself on your website.

Good Luck!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com