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If developers were artists, we'd all be getting emails like this: Hi user24, I saw your profile on ArtIn and wanted to see if you might be interested in a com

by user24 15y ago

If developers were artists, we'd all be getting emails like this: Hi user24, I saw your profile on ArtIn and wanted to see if you might be interested in a commission. The role requires significant experience using paint and canvas, as well as familiarity with brushes. Experience with chalk or pastels is not required, but would be a bonus. Our artwork hangs on walls around the house, where it is seen by lots of people. Our house is very exciting. We are offering a competitive rate of pay in a very dynamic house. If you're interested, please contact me. Alternatively if any of your artist-friends might be interested, I'll happily use them instead. I don't really care if it's you or someone else that fills this role so long as you tick the boxes. As far as I'm concerned one artist is much the same as the other yeah? Obviously the most important thing is how long they've been painting for, and whether they've used the exact techniques our other artists have. Look forward to hearing from you! A. Recruiter. NB: I'm not trying to say that as a developer I am an artist, or that you can't quantify what makes a good developer. My point is that if you were an artist, would you take that role? You can't even answer the question because it doesn't tell you anything. Every art commission needs experience with paint! Is it a portrait? An abstract piece? What size? Recruiters: your job is to attract me, not simply to find me. Tell me that your company is growing, which industry you're in, that you'd rather do it right than fast, that as a developer I'll have input to the product direction, etc etc. Attract me.

true_religion 15y ago
I'm pretty sure that graphic designers who work primarily on marketing materials, and the like get emails like that. After all, they're going to take art direction from someone else on the project so in the minds of the management, one junior 'line' artist is pretty much the same as any other.
jrockway 15y ago
I don't think that "I don't really care if it's you or someone else that fills this role" is such a bad thing. Good companies want developers that are smart -- they don't care about you because you're you, they care about you because you possess the characteristics of someone who will do good work for them. Similarly, if you want some graphic design, there are a number of people who will do a good job. You want any of those people, not one specific person. Unless, that is, that person has done something specific that makes them a particularly good fit. But you can offer jobs without being that specific. In my own experience, I've gotten jobs both ways. I got a job at a small Perl web app company because of my work on a Perl web framework. The lead developer approached me directly. I've also gotten jobs where someone has recommended me because of general ability rather than any specific work.

by user24 15y ago

true_religion 15y ago

I'm pretty sure that graphic designers who work primarily on marketing materials, and the like get emails like that. After all, they're going to take art direction from someone else on the project so in the minds of the management, one junior 'line' artist is pretty much the same as any other.

jrockway 15y ago

I don't think that "I don't really care if it's you or someone else that fills this role" is such a bad thing. Good companies want developers that are smart -- they don't care about you because you're you, they care about you because you possess the characteristics of someone who will do good work for them. Similarly, if you want some graphic design, there are a number of people who will do a good job. You want any of those people, not one specific person. Unless, that is, that person has done something specific that makes them a particularly good fit. But you can offer jobs without being that specific. In my own experience, I've gotten jobs both ways. I got a job at a small Perl web app company because of my work on a Perl web framework. The lead developer approached me directly. I've also gotten jobs where someone has recommended me because of general ability rather than any specific work.