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Comment by calcsam | Hacker News Reader

Seven months and you haven't gotten more specific feedback than 'you'll find something' on where you're lacking?

You need to figure out specifically what's wrong and pose a more specific question. Otherwise no one will be able to help.

Do you have any projects to show your prowess?

How many job applications have you pushed out? Are you targeting them? (web/mobile/desktop is reallly broad.) How is your networking? (the interpersonal type)

Do you get interviews? If you do get them, where do you tend to stumble?

This is my experience -- four months of self-taught programming to a job, in the Bay Area.

https://medium.com/life-hacks/3e990967a1f3 https://medium.com/tech-blogging/79fcfd2d66e8

I understand you're discouraged, but this post comes off as whiny. Consider this a kick in the pants.

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I've applied without much success on craigslist, indeed, cybercoders, simplyhired, weworkremotely, stackoverflow careers.

1 or 2 interviews per month and yes, I do ask for feedback... Most will tell you that you they are going go forward with other candidates or other vague saying which doesn't tell me much.

Whiny? I am not saying "Give me a job" or "I deserve a job" I am looking for work.

Okay, cool. I'd go to events, meet people in organizations using php/JS stack (or other tech stacks you know), ask them to grab lunch. Your story could go something like this:

"I'm a self-taught programmer looking for my first full-time programming job. If I describe my experience, would you be able to describe the skillsets I need to develop in order to be successful in your organization?"

I did this repeatedly and got tons of useful feedback. See my customer development essay in earlier link.

I'll try to! Hopefully someone can point a direction or help with what I need to do to get better.

There's the open source path: while you're looking for a job, get involved in an open source project that solves a problem you like, really can be anything. Get involved, participate, share ideas, code stuff up, commit. This may take longer, but this is a good way to get a job in something you like. Because contributors are employees somewhere, and they will recognize your talent, and know where to apply it. Good luck!

Totally agree.

To the OP: I would recommend spending a decent amount of time developing "industry" connections with others that work with the same technology that you do. When you attend an event though, don't have the mindset of "I'm going to find a job", but rather something like "I'm going to meet smart people that I'd enjoy working with." Maybe try taking some small freelance work with some of the people you meet too. Anywho, good luck!

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