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TLDR; Recruiters don't care about side projects. Side projects are often shallow and its better to use new tech in real job instead of side projects. I feel mo

TLDR; Recruiters don't care about side projects. Side projects are often shallow and its better to use new tech in real job instead of side projects. I feel most of us would disagree with that. All new jobs in my career were result of learning something new on side projects. Recruiters show that as passion for learning. Many jobs don't allow for much exploration and you don't have leverage to call shots. It's usually uphill battle to even introduce any significant changes in large stable products. Also, side projects shouldn't be just for goal of finding new jobs and making recruiters happy anyway. It should be for passion for creating things, realizing ideas.

jordan_curve 6y ago
I don’t think the article ever suggests that you shouldn’t work on side projects if it’s something you enjoy as a creative outlet. It’s saying that you shouldn’t work on side projects as a way to advance your career.
tylerchilds 6y ago
and also using new tech in a work project is often a terrible idea unless you or someone else on the team has intimate experience with it. it's either going to be betamax or legacy spaghetti 9/10 times.
0xEFF 6y ago
> Many jobs don't allow for much exploration and you don't have leverage to call shots. It's usually uphil battle to even introduce any significant change. Also side projects shouldn't be just for goal of finding new jobs anyway. It should be for passion for creating things, realizing ideas. You're right, but your point also indicates why business value side projects less than career projects. The skills and experience to complete the project don't overlap much between the two types of projects. The success criteria is usually quite different as well.
peruvian 6y ago
> its better to use new tech in real job instead of side projects. Lol this is why so many tech stacks at work go to shit. Someone wanting to add another bullet point to the resume and instead of doing it at home, they force a new tool/language at work (when possible).

jordan_curve 6y ago

I don’t think the article ever suggests that you shouldn’t work on side projects if it’s something you enjoy as a creative outlet. It’s saying that you shouldn’t work on side projects as a way to advance your career.

tylerchilds 6y ago

and also using new tech in a work project is often a terrible idea unless you or someone else on the team has intimate experience with it. it's either going to be betamax or legacy spaghetti 9/10 times.

0xEFF 6y ago

> Many jobs don't allow for much exploration and you don't have leverage to call shots. It's usually uphil battle to even introduce any significant change. Also side projects shouldn't be just for goal of finding new jobs anyway. It should be for passion for creating things, realizing ideas. You're right, but your point also indicates why business value side projects less than career projects. The skills and experience to complete the project don't overlap much between the two types of projects. The success criteria is usually quite different as well.

peruvian 6y ago

> its better to use new tech in real job instead of side projects. Lol this is why so many tech stacks at work go to shit. Someone wanting to add another bullet point to the resume and instead of doing it at home, they force a new tool/language at work (when possible).