[TriLUG] Looking for jobs... any ideas?

[Phillip Rhodes]

Michael Ham wrote:
> Hey guys,
> 
> I am a TriLUG lurker, and I am about to finish up my degree in CIS
> (Programming focus) in a few weeks.  I am trying to get a development job,
> but all the ones I see out there want experienced developers.  The problem
> is that I can't get any experience unless someone hires me.

My experience is that smaller companies are more likely to be willing to 
hire a "green" developer, especially if the role is sort of a hybrid
role where you're the "general purpose IT guy who writes code, pulls 
cable, manages servers, etc."  If you can find a job like that, you may
be able to leverage it into a development job over time.

A job in QA can also often be an entry route into development.


> Specifically, my main strength is in Java programming, but that probably has
> little bearing on the actual results of this e-mail.

I'd suggest you attend the monthly TriJUG meetings if you aren't 
already.  They're great networking opportunities and recruiters and
various employers are often there looking for help. I found my current
job as a direct result of a connection made at TriJUG a few months
ago, for example.

Additionally the topics are often enlightening and educational.  This 
month's meeting (next Monday) is not really a technology talk, but
is on Career "stuff" so you might find that useful.

> So, any help you guys can give me on how I can get myself out there and
> ready to go by next month when I graduate, please let me know!


The "need a job / have a job" segment at the TriLUG meetings could
also be good for you.  Basically any opportunity to network with
other developers may be of benefit.  Check out the local Perl Mongers 
chapter, Raleigh Ruby Brigade, the C/C++ Meetup, the Erlounge (Erlang) 
group, etc.

Finally, re: open source.  I think open-source is a great way to
get experience without a job.  Unfortunately if you need a job
in the next month or so, it's unlikely you'll be able to start a project
and build it to the level that you can make money off of it, in that
timeframe.  But if you go the route of taking a job in QA, or as an IT 
tech, you can always hone your development skills by hacking on a cool
open source project (your own, or an existing one) in your spare time.
Not all potential employers will weight that kind of experience the 
same, but the kind of companies that DO look favorably at open-source
experience are probably the cooler places to work anyway.

<shameless_plug>If you're interested in hacking on a really cool local
project, check out OpenQabal. :-) </shameless_plug>

Oh, and one last thing I'll say... don't be scared to apply for jobs
where you don't quite meet all the "paper" criteria.  I don't mean
to say go applying for jobs that you're blatantly unqualified for, but 
if the ad says "1-2 years of experience in Java" (for example) and you
feel real good about your Java (or whatever) skills, go ahead and apply.
You'll probably miss out more often than not, but it's a numbers game... 
apply enough, you'll find somebody who's willing to allow some "wiggle 
room" on the criteria.


TTYL, HTH, Good Luck, etc.



-- 
Phillip Rhodes
Chief Architect - OpenQabal
https://openqabal.dev.java.net
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/philliprhodes