4 ms·

Could you share why you were rejected?

by eots 10y ago

throwawayIndian 10y ago
This was a few years ago. My application indicated that I wasn't looking for a job following the program and that I was only interested in becoming a "good developer". That likely didn't fit their business model.
- vitno 10y ago
  That probably isn't why. I know several people who have attended who were on "company sabbaticals", as in they took time off for a few months then went back to their company. That obviously won't net RC any money.
- sotojuan 10y ago
  > I was only interested in becoming a "good developer". This is probably too vague... for better or for worse RC applications are about culture fit like everything else. Just saying "I want to get better" is probably not good enough. Everyone wants to get better!
  - kevinr 10y ago
    From the Recurse Center Manual[0]: > Traits of an awesome Recurser > Here are three principles we believe in. If you're living up to these principles, you're doing well at the Recurse Center. > Be rigorous. Understand how and why your code works. Understand your tools. If you're working with a framework (like Sinatra or Flask), learning to use it is just scratching the surface. Go deeper. Learn how it works. > Strive for greatness. You're all at the Recurse Center because we believe you can be great programmers. Becoming great takes a lot of work. All of us who work at the Recurse Center are trying to become great, too. We don't think we're there yet. > Reflect on your progress. We're all getting better at programming, but we should also be getting better at learning. Reflecting looks different for different people, but we recommend two primary things. First, write a blog! Even if no one else reads it, writing prose is a great way to crystallize concepts in your mind and deepen your understanding. Second, get code review! It's so much easier to get better when you're getting feedback and advice. Ie. "I want to get better" is a core value of the Recurse Center. [0]: https://www.recurse.com/manual#sec-principles https://www.recurse.com/manual#sec-principles
    - sotojuan 10y ago
      Sure, but you can't just say that in an interview—you have to be more eloquent than that. That's like writing "I want to learn" on college applications. Yeah, that's the main point, but that's not what they want to hear.
      - throwawayIndian 10y ago
        > but you can't just say that in an interview There was no interview call. Rejected even before that. In fact my measurements show the application was rejected even before reading the application. :-)
- justtopostthis3 10y ago
  I also applied, and my application also indicated that I wasn't looking for a job afterwards. I am a nobody, have never worked at any high profile tech darlings, was not returning to another job, have no money myself, and contribute nothing to diversity (white cis male). I thought I had no chance. I was accepted and had a great time. Hope this helps.
  - throwawayIndian 10y ago
    Sure this comment helps the cause of recurse center and that you're happily invested in that cause. Good for you. :-) Yet, it goes without saying that they're just a fancy recruitment service. Have a good day!

Could you share why you were rejected?

by eots 10y ago

Could you share why you were rejected?

This was a few years ago. My application indicated that I wasn't looking for a job following the program and that I was only interested in becoming a "good developer". That likely didn't fit their business model.

vitno 10y ago
That probably isn't why. I know several people who have attended who were on "company sabbaticals", as in they took time off for a few months then went back to their company. That obviously won't net RC any money.
sotojuan 10y ago
> I was only interested in becoming a "good developer". This is probably too vague... for better or for worse RC applications are about culture fit like everything else. Just saying "I want to get better" is probably not good enough. Everyone wants to get better!
- kevinr 10y ago
  From the Recurse Center Manual[0]: > Traits of an awesome Recurser > Here are three principles we believe in. If you're living up to these principles, you're doing well at the Recurse Center. > Be rigorous. Understand how and why your code works. Understand your tools. If you're working with a framework (like Sinatra or Flask), learning to use it is just scratching the surface. Go deeper. Learn how it works. > Strive for greatness. You're all at the Recurse Center because we believe you can be great programmers. Becoming great takes a lot of work. All of us who work at the Recurse Center are trying to become great, too. We don't think we're there yet. > Reflect on your progress. We're all getting better at programming, but we should also be getting better at learning. Reflecting looks different for different people, but we recommend two primary things. First, write a blog! Even if no one else reads it, writing prose is a great way to crystallize concepts in your mind and deepen your understanding. Second, get code review! It's so much easier to get better when you're getting feedback and advice. Ie. "I want to get better" is a core value of the Recurse Center. [0]: https://www.recurse.com/manual#sec-principles https://www.recurse.com/manual#sec-principles
  - sotojuan 10y ago
    Sure, but you can't just say that in an interview—you have to be more eloquent than that. That's like writing "I want to learn" on college applications. Yeah, that's the main point, but that's not what they want to hear.
    - throwawayIndian 10y ago
      > but you can't just say that in an interview There was no interview call. Rejected even before that. In fact my measurements show the application was rejected even before reading the application. :-)
justtopostthis3 10y ago
I also applied, and my application also indicated that I wasn't looking for a job afterwards. I am a nobody, have never worked at any high profile tech darlings, was not returning to another job, have no money myself, and contribute nothing to diversity (white cis male). I thought I had no chance. I was accepted and had a great time. Hope this helps.
- throwawayIndian 10y ago
  Sure this comment helps the cause of recurse center and that you're happily invested in that cause. Good for you. :-) Yet, it goes without saying that they're just a fancy recruitment service. Have a good day!