5 ms·

100%. The sooner you build a network and put yourself in a position to not have to apply to jobs the better.

pacaro 10y ago
This is true, but embedded within it contains a huge challenge for the industry. Hiring through people's networks and referrals has potential to really harm diversity. Hiring is an expensive process by any measure. But whenever we find a shortcut we have to be mindful of unintended consequences
- briandear 10y ago
  If you're filing the position with a high quality candidate, I'm not sure how diversity is relevant.
  - lazyasciiart 10y ago
    You might not be sure, but high quality candidates who aren't already in the heterogenous pool you are hiring from can probably come up with something.
battlebot 10y ago
That's not possible for everyone. Plus, I just landed my new job going through a recruiter. There are actually some good recruiters out there not just the typical used car salesman "an ass for every seat" types. I'm helping a recent grad get some experience and have been trying to network for him. Introverted people have a tough time with things like networks.
TsomArp 10y ago
How do you "build a network" at companies you have never worked before, and you have no contacts at? You start adding them to your linkedin and then spamming them with messages saying "please be my friend"? I am asking because I heard this recommendation (build a network) all the time, but it is really really difficult to do, more so if you consider the number of companies where one can apply...
- foota 10y ago
  It won't allow you to "target" a specific company, but you could get involved in open source projects and technology meetups, these can help you make connections in a wide spread of companies.
- ryankennedyio 10y ago
  You jest, but that method literally works. I'm trying to break into finance, from a programming, web-development kind of background (with CS degree), which is a pretty tough nut to crack. I've had a great deal of success just reaching out to people on LinkedIn who've worked on cool stuff in areas I find interesting, message them to see if they're keen to meet for a coffee/beer/etc. Meetups are fun too. A good number of people are happy to just chat for 30min, and you might get a few pointers on where to look for what you want. The worst case outcome is that you meet someone new, and talk about things you find mutually interesting for a little while.
  - TsomArp 10y ago
    Yeah, "honey, this year don't count me in as I am going to be out all nights having drink with strangers so that i can build my network"... it reminds me of that day I dared to call a recruiter because his phone was listed on the job posting, he was like "wtf dude, why are you calling me?"
    - mos_basik 10y ago
      I sent dozens of applications to companies in my area while looking for summer employment, no success. Started going to meetups just to be able to talk to some programmers from time to time. About two months in, met someone at a meetup who said their team needed Python/C++ devs. I talked a little bit with them, got their card, sent them a resume later that week, and eventually got my first proper development job. Only one person's story ofc, but I'm happy! Face to face stuff is so much more valuable than submitting online forms, and tech meetups are stimulating, fun, and pretty common in cities.
    - mseebach 10y ago

This is true, but embedded within it contains a huge challenge for the industry. Hiring through people's networks and referrals has potential to really harm diversity. Hiring is an expensive process by any measure. But whenever we find a shortcut we have to be mindful of unintended consequences

briandear 10y ago
If you're filing the position with a high quality candidate, I'm not sure how diversity is relevant.
- lazyasciiart 10y ago
  You might not be sure, but high quality candidates who aren't already in the heterogenous pool you are hiring from can probably come up with something.

battlebot 10y ago

That's not possible for everyone. Plus, I just landed my new job going through a recruiter. There are actually some good recruiters out there not just the typical used car salesman "an ass for every seat" types. I'm helping a recent grad get some experience and have been trying to network for him. Introverted people have a tough time with things like networks.

TsomArp 10y ago

How do you "build a network" at companies you have never worked before, and you have no contacts at? You start adding them to your linkedin and then spamming them with messages saying "please be my friend"? I am asking because I heard this recommendation (build a network) all the time, but it is really really difficult to do, more so if you consider the number of companies where one can apply...

foota 10y ago
It won't allow you to "target" a specific company, but you could get involved in open source projects and technology meetups, these can help you make connections in a wide spread of companies.
ryankennedyio 10y ago
You jest, but that method literally works. I'm trying to break into finance, from a programming, web-development kind of background (with CS degree), which is a pretty tough nut to crack. I've had a great deal of success just reaching out to people on LinkedIn who've worked on cool stuff in areas I find interesting, message them to see if they're keen to meet for a coffee/beer/etc. Meetups are fun too. A good number of people are happy to just chat for 30min, and you might get a few pointers on where to look for what you want. The worst case outcome is that you meet someone new, and talk about things you find mutually interesting for a little while.
- TsomArp 10y ago
  Yeah, "honey, this year don't count me in as I am going to be out all nights having drink with strangers so that i can build my network"... it reminds me of that day I dared to call a recruiter because his phone was listed on the job posting, he was like "wtf dude, why are you calling me?"
  - mos_basik 10y ago
    I sent dozens of applications to companies in my area while looking for summer employment, no success. Started going to meetups just to be able to talk to some programmers from time to time. About two months in, met someone at a meetup who said their team needed Python/C++ devs. I talked a little bit with them, got their card, sent them a resume later that week, and eventually got my first proper development job. Only one person's story ofc, but I'm happy! Face to face stuff is so much more valuable than submitting online forms, and tech meetups are stimulating, fun, and pretty common in cities.
  - mseebach 10y ago