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I'm a currently-on-unemployment former barista with years of hobby and freelance coding experience, I've spent much of my time on unemployment getting professio

I'm a currently-on-unemployment former barista with years of hobby and freelance coding experience, I've spent much of my time on unemployment getting professional certifications and doing some bigger learning projects. I'm interviewing non-stop these days trying to land that entry level junior engineer role now, and it gives me heart to see other food service refugees have made it. I've passed every coding challenge I've been given but seem to get ghosted when employers learn my most recent gig was hustling my ass off pulling espresso shots just to survive. Back on topic, I didn't go the Chromebook route, instead I got a ten year old HP Elitebook at a second hand shop, added an SSD and maxed out its memory, and I couldn't be happier! I spent less than $300 and it's easily my favorite laptop I've ever owned.

forty 5y ago
Hello, I went to your website, and noticed you don't list those certifications and bigger projects there. You should also tell there what kind job you are looking for, otherwise I doubt anyone is going to click on "wants to hire me", since it's pretty hard to guess what you want to do. Anyway, good luck for the job hunting!
- taylorfinley 5y ago
  Hey, thanks for this helpful feedback! I will update my page accordingly. I do talk about one of my bigger projects in the blog link, but I agree it should be highlighted up front.
  - lucasverra 5y ago
    It's not because it exists that is visible. Guide me!
ljf 5y ago
Re the interviews, do you have any side projects you can show? An app you built for fun, a local business/groups website you built? Focus on that if you can - show how you can complete projects.
- lucasverra 5y ago
  This. As an employer, scouting for talent, a well-rounded web project I can play with is miles ahead en terms of engagemnt with your profile
zumu 5y ago
I highly suggest going the consultancy route. You will get exposed to a large breadth of technology and projects very quickly. In my first year, I wrote JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, Golang and a little Python. Just stay thirsty and keep going. Once you get a foot in the door, you are going to be a rising star. The work ethic and discipline of the service industry is like a super power in the tech world.

forty 5y ago

Hello, I went to your website, and noticed you don't list those certifications and bigger projects there. You should also tell there what kind job you are looking for, otherwise I doubt anyone is going to click on "wants to hire me", since it's pretty hard to guess what you want to do. Anyway, good luck for the job hunting!

taylorfinley 5y ago
Hey, thanks for this helpful feedback! I will update my page accordingly. I do talk about one of my bigger projects in the blog link, but I agree it should be highlighted up front.
- lucasverra 5y ago
  It's not because it exists that is visible. Guide me!

ljf 5y ago

Re the interviews, do you have any side projects you can show? An app you built for fun, a local business/groups website you built? Focus on that if you can - show how you can complete projects.

lucasverra 5y ago
This. As an employer, scouting for talent, a well-rounded web project I can play with is miles ahead en terms of engagemnt with your profile

zumu 5y ago

I highly suggest going the consultancy route. You will get exposed to a large breadth of technology and projects very quickly. In my first year, I wrote JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, Golang and a little Python. Just stay thirsty and keep going. Once you get a foot in the door, you are going to be a rising star. The work ethic and discipline of the service industry is like a super power in the tech world.