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I don't think side projects are mutually exclusive with work-life balance. Granted, I don't have children; but aside from that, I think I've been living a very

I don't think side projects are mutually exclusive with work-life balance. Granted, I don't have children; but aside from that, I think I've been living a very full and action-packed life. Time-consuming outdoor hobbies, girlfriends, friends, going out, travelling - check. I also waste sickening amounts of time on sites like this one, and playing video games. Yet I've found plenty of time over the years to work on two large side projects (both ultimate passions), and several smaller ones (like iPhone apps). Nothing says you have to spend ALL of your spare time doing ONE thing. You can rotate. I can certainly accept that some people's circumstances are such that they really don't have the time, but I think casting side projects as necessarily creating time conflicts is wrong.

mrcharles 15y ago
I do agree with you, but my reaction is that what I do on my own time is my business and has absolutely no bearing on anything else, and that asking about it is borderline invasion of privacy. Maybe I work on stuff I don't want to talk about all night long, or maybe I don't work on anything at all when I get home because what I'm doing at work fulfills me. Either way, it should have no bearing on an interview.
- trustfundbaby 15y ago
  my reaction is that what I do on my own time is my business and has absolutely no bearing on anything else, and that asking about it is borderline invasion of privacy ------------------------- I'm not seeing the invasion of privacy ... its a relevant question that is strictly limited to your development/engineering experience ... what you learn on side projects has bearing on your knowledge as a developer, if you don't want to reveal that, great, but most people that do have side projects have no reservations talking about it when prompted (unless its top secret or illegal)> I'm sure a good interviewer can find a way establish your proficiency based on your work experience etc Maybe I work on stuff I don't want to talk about all night long, or maybe I don't work on anything at all when I get home because what I'm doing at work fulfills me ---------------------------------------- Great. Doesn't change the fact that its enough of a trend among good developers to be used in an interview, to help you zero in on the really good guys.
- orangecat 15y ago
  Either way, it should have no bearing on an interview. It shouldn't automatically disqualify you, but if you've created something fantastic as a side project, should that really not factor into the decision at all?
bh42222 15y ago
Time-consuming outdoor hobbies, girlfriends, friends, going out, travelling - check. I also waste sickening amounts of time on sites like this one, and playing video games. Serious question. Are you one of those people that have a genetic mutation which allows them to be well rested on much less sleep then the rest of us? I do tend to think of that as just plain genetic superiority. (Assuming the current studies which show absolutely no deleterious side effects hold true.)
- andywood 15y ago
  I don't think so. I usually sleep 7-8 hours. It really is just rotating priorities around. Like, I don't have to do any one of those things every single day. Some days are "work" days, where I pick something to work on. I don't always work on the same thing. Sometimes I set aside a week to hide in my house for the sake of finishing something - but it's only a week, and I still take breaks to do other things. Over years, big things get done.

mrcharles 15y ago

I do agree with you, but my reaction is that what I do on my own time is my business and has absolutely no bearing on anything else, and that asking about it is borderline invasion of privacy. Maybe I work on stuff I don't want to talk about all night long, or maybe I don't work on anything at all when I get home because what I'm doing at work fulfills me. Either way, it should have no bearing on an interview.

trustfundbaby 15y ago
my reaction is that what I do on my own time is my business and has absolutely no bearing on anything else, and that asking about it is borderline invasion of privacy ------------------------- I'm not seeing the invasion of privacy ... its a relevant question that is strictly limited to your development/engineering experience ... what you learn on side projects has bearing on your knowledge as a developer, if you don't want to reveal that, great, but most people that do have side projects have no reservations talking about it when prompted (unless its top secret or illegal)> I'm sure a good interviewer can find a way establish your proficiency based on your work experience etc Maybe I work on stuff I don't want to talk about all night long, or maybe I don't work on anything at all when I get home because what I'm doing at work fulfills me ---------------------------------------- Great. Doesn't change the fact that its enough of a trend among good developers to be used in an interview, to help you zero in on the really good guys.
orangecat 15y ago
Either way, it should have no bearing on an interview. It shouldn't automatically disqualify you, but if you've created something fantastic as a side project, should that really not factor into the decision at all?

bh42222 15y ago

Time-consuming outdoor hobbies, girlfriends, friends, going out, travelling - check. I also waste sickening amounts of time on sites like this one, and playing video games. Serious question. Are you one of those people that have a genetic mutation which allows them to be well rested on much less sleep then the rest of us? I do tend to think of that as just plain genetic superiority. (Assuming the current studies which show absolutely no deleterious side effects hold true.)

andywood 15y ago
I don't think so. I usually sleep 7-8 hours. It really is just rotating priorities around. Like, I don't have to do any one of those things every single day. Some days are "work" days, where I pick something to work on. I don't always work on the same thing. Sometimes I set aside a week to hide in my house for the sake of finishing something - but it's only a week, and I still take breaks to do other things. Over years, big things get done.