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I got out of college at the worst possible time, early 200x. Knowing that the job market was tight, I came up with some sample applications that I put on a webp

I got out of college at the worst possible time, early 200x. Knowing that the job market was tight, I came up with some sample applications that I put on a webpage, in order to have a "programming portfolio". Well, the professors seemed to think it was a good idea. So, I wrote the URL prominently on my resume and sent out a bunch of copies to companies. I'd estimate that about 2 or 3 percent of employers actually went to my "portfolio." I didn't understand it then, and I still don't. When I look at other people's resumes, the first thing I look for is a website. Oddly, it seems pretty rare.

mixmax 19y ago
Unfortumately HR people are as lazy as all other corporate drones. They just want to get it over with so they can go home. That's the sad reason, and it is all there is to understand about it.
- brk 19y ago
  I would venture that most people reading this site are looking to join companies that haven't had to create an HE department yet. (side note: one of my personal factors for determining when a company is no longer worth joining is when HR becomes a specific department/person, there are exceptions to this, but they are few). I agree with the spirit of what Seth is saying here. My last several jobs found ME, based more on the reputation factor than on the "read my blog" or "look at my portfolio" factor, but they weren't from sending a resume into a black hole.
  - mixmax 19y ago
    Maybe it would be possible to turn this around to your own advantage: I agree that I wouldn't want to work for a company that doesn't bother to look at the links that you provide in an application or a CV - it shows they are not engaged in what they do. Now suppose you put up your projects (or whatever you want your potential new employer to see) and monitor who is looking. With large companies it should be possible to trace the IP adresses so that you will know exactly which companies have enough interest to actually click the links and look at what you have done.
edw519 19y ago
"Oddly, it seems pretty rare." Why? Frankly, I don't understand the need to be "public". Why would I possibly want my personal info on a website for anyone to see? If I want anyone to know anything about me, I tell them. No one else needs to know.
- mynameishere 19y ago
  It wasn't a biography--it was computer programs.
albertcardona 19y ago
I created my webpage precisely for that reason: to leave a public record of who I am and what I do. So far so fun, I love the feedback -particularly on the "find me" section.
- pchristensen 19y ago
  Me too, no job offers but lots of contact with cool people around the whole world.
ingas 19y ago
Good idea! When/if I will change my job - I'll do the same

mixmax 19y ago

Unfortumately HR people are as lazy as all other corporate drones. They just want to get it over with so they can go home. That's the sad reason, and it is all there is to understand about it.

brk 19y ago
I would venture that most people reading this site are looking to join companies that haven't had to create an HE department yet. (side note: one of my personal factors for determining when a company is no longer worth joining is when HR becomes a specific department/person, there are exceptions to this, but they are few). I agree with the spirit of what Seth is saying here. My last several jobs found ME, based more on the reputation factor than on the "read my blog" or "look at my portfolio" factor, but they weren't from sending a resume into a black hole.
- mixmax 19y ago
  Maybe it would be possible to turn this around to your own advantage: I agree that I wouldn't want to work for a company that doesn't bother to look at the links that you provide in an application or a CV - it shows they are not engaged in what they do. Now suppose you put up your projects (or whatever you want your potential new employer to see) and monitor who is looking. With large companies it should be possible to trace the IP adresses so that you will know exactly which companies have enough interest to actually click the links and look at what you have done.

edw519 19y ago

"Oddly, it seems pretty rare." Why? Frankly, I don't understand the need to be "public". Why would I possibly want my personal info on a website for anyone to see? If I want anyone to know anything about me, I tell them. No one else needs to know.

mynameishere 19y ago
It wasn't a biography--it was computer programs.

albertcardona 19y ago

I created my webpage precisely for that reason: to leave a public record of who I am and what I do. So far so fun, I love the feedback -particularly on the "find me" section.

pchristensen 19y ago
Me too, no job offers but lots of contact with cool people around the whole world.

ingas 19y ago

Good idea! When/if I will change my job - I'll do the same