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Ask HN: How do I find a tech job?

I am an international grad student , studying in a top 3 school for computer science and have worked for over 2 years before.

I have been trying to get a job for 6 months now and I keep getting reject after reject,mostly without an interview.

I have tried LinkedIn and applying to companies directly. After more than 500 applications and lots of iterations on the resume I am still nowhere.

What can I do to get a job ?

( 7 comments | 13 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: How do I find a tech job? by wallflower on Saturday July 14, 2018 @11:48PM (#17533694)
Since you are going to a top 3 school, you obviously have the talent. Without meeting you, based solely on what you said above (nothing about meeting people, just sending resumes), I am going to make an assumption that you are avoiding meeting people in person, or even virtually (like a Slack).

You are going to need to flip the script and proactively meet with people who might work at companies that you'd like to work at, way before an interview. To do that, you're going to need to put yourself out there. Sending resumes to a black box or "black hole" is not the best strategy for finding a job. Ask people to help you (professor, friends, students who might be better at job searching at your school). By being vulnerable, people will want to help you. (Note: This Ask HN is a good first step).

If you are not already attending tech meetups, consider moving to a location (not necessarily SF) that has meetups. If you are already attending tech meetups, start presenting at those meetups. Start organizing talks, maybe even a mini conference at your school. People who bring people together always have more opportunities than those who just show up.

Learn to talk to people so that you can learn about them and find what they need so they ask you what you need (in your case, a job opportunity).

Your goal is to become a local maximum, by being a host, organizer, or leader. It is near impossible to become a global maximum (e.g. president of a country) but you can easily become the leader/organizer of a conference or even a happy hour/coffee get together.

Consider a hackathon or two. If you do well enough, it is almost like a first job interview for the sponsoring companies. Also, it is a good test of "shipping something" and working under pressure with a team.

If you don't want to do this, at the very least sign up for an improv comedy class. I think this may help you get over your fear of messing up in person.

Re:Ask HN: How do I find a tech job? by sloaken on Saturday July 14, 2018 @10:37PM (#17533527)
I assume you have Visa for where you are applying to.

Without seeing your resume it is hard to highlight what you are doing wrong.

It is important to realize that your resume can get ignored for a variety of reasons. Typically the first filter is an automated system which looks for key words. Second a person in HR looks at it. For techies, the HR is a problem as HR does not look at things in a technical fashion... To get past HR, I recommend a resume writting service. Since at 500 applications you should get a bite, but there is obviously SOMETHING wrong with your resume.

<bitterness on> The annoying thing I have encountered is the companies (HR department) likes to FIND YOU! I have had calls from the HR department saying I would be perfect for a job at their company. I agree that is why I sent a resume last week. Radio silence follows. Implication being, what use is an HR department if they cannot find someone, they do not get as well rewarded if you find them.<bitterness off>

Have you considered visiting a recruiter? Since they are money orientated, they will work hard to fit your round peg in a square hole.

Re:Ask HN: How do I find a tech job? by hackermailman on Sunday July 15, 2018 @03:57PM (#17536747)
You apply to the lowest position, that has the least amount of risk to hiring you as you're unknown to them, and then work internally your way into your role of choice. Or try a recruiting service like this: https://triplebyte.com/
Re:Ask HN: How do I find a tech job? by jwu910 on Saturday July 14, 2018 @06:43PM (#17532791)
Get side projects together. Look at internships in addition to entry level jobs. You want experience. You may learn a ton from school, but school doesn't always look like valuable experience in the eyes of a recruiter.

Keep it up, just broaden your search and keep getting more projects under your belt and adding them to your resume.

Re:Ask HN: How do I find a tech job? by Topgamer7 on Sunday July 15, 2018 @01:33AM (#17533930)
Have you got a portfolio? Have you rewritten your resume? Are you writing personalized responses to jobs you are more interested instead of shotgunning the same response?
Re:Ask HN: How do I find a tech job? by ApolloRising on Sunday July 15, 2018 @02:39AM (#17534081)
Add a ton of HR people to your linked in, buy premium, advertise you are looking for a job by checking the option after you get the premium.
Re:Ask HN: How do I find a tech job? by mabynogy on Sunday July 15, 2018 @09:28PM (#17538120)
Send me your resume. There is probably a red flag in it (can be your name or something like that).