4 ms·

Is having a portfolio website necessary now-a-days? What does HN think?

chadwickthebold 13y ago
Having a portfolio website is necessary to get a job at the place most HN entrepreneurs are interested in running. For better or worse, a portfolio or an active github are almost necessary to land a position at a top-tier company or a startup. If you want to work for a generic business that has grown a software division out of necessity then your basic resume will do just fine.
- JazCE 13y ago
  Would you/they discount people who have >5 years experience working for mainstream organisations that might have "grown a software division out of necessity", but no github activity?
  - danielweber 13y ago
    Typical thought process for deciding what features a candidate needs to have. 1. I am a good programmer. 2. I have/am X. 3. (Optional) Just-so story about how X makes you a good developer. 4. Therefore, job candidates must have/be X. I've seen this taken to stupid lengths, where employers want someone who has done professional work with the exact toolchain in use. I don't like car analogies, but it would be like hiring a driver and saying "well, we need someone familiar with the Ford Fusion, and you only have driven a Ford Taurus."
  - JazCE 13y ago
    @danielweber i agree about what you're saying, but i tend to find that only happens when a recruiter gets their hands on your CV. If you generally allow yourself or HR team to have direct access to the CV's, they tend to know what will make a good hire, and won't be looking for people who have only driven a Ford "focus"
- seanmcdirmid 13y ago
  Maybe a startup, but not a top tier company like google or apple, and definitely not for more senior hires who already have tons of experience.
sergiotapia 13y ago
There are 20 people applying for a job, and 19 of them don't have source code on the web. 1 does. Who do you think has a higher chance of getting the job? It's a definite plus.

Having a portfolio website is necessary to get a job at the place most HN entrepreneurs are interested in running. For better or worse, a portfolio or an active github are almost necessary to land a position at a top-tier company or a startup. If you want to work for a generic business that has grown a software division out of necessity then your basic resume will do just fine.

JazCE 13y ago
Would you/they discount people who have >5 years experience working for mainstream organisations that might have "grown a software division out of necessity", but no github activity?
- danielweber 13y ago
  Typical thought process for deciding what features a candidate needs to have. 1. I am a good programmer. 2. I have/am X. 3. (Optional) Just-so story about how X makes you a good developer. 4. Therefore, job candidates must have/be X. I've seen this taken to stupid lengths, where employers want someone who has done professional work with the exact toolchain in use. I don't like car analogies, but it would be like hiring a driver and saying "well, we need someone familiar with the Ford Fusion, and you only have driven a Ford Taurus."
- JazCE 13y ago
  @danielweber i agree about what you're saying, but i tend to find that only happens when a recruiter gets their hands on your CV. If you generally allow yourself or HR team to have direct access to the CV's, they tend to know what will make a good hire, and won't be looking for people who have only driven a Ford "focus"
seanmcdirmid 13y ago
Maybe a startup, but not a top tier company like google or apple, and definitely not for more senior hires who already have tons of experience.

sergiotapia 13y ago

There are 20 people applying for a job, and 19 of them don't have source code on the web. 1 does. Who do you think has a higher chance of getting the job? It's a definite plus.