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I agree that someone who doesn't have side projects isn't as attractive as someone who does, in general. But there are lots of people who don't do any programmi

by vijayr 11y ago

I agree that someone who doesn't have side projects isn't as attractive as someone who does, in general. But there are lots of people who don't do any programming once they leave the office (8-9 hours of computer time is more than enough for them). That doesn't mean that they aren't dedicated or that they are a risk. I think it should be a case by case basis.

BadassFractal 11y ago
Fundamentally, risk isn't binary. There's more risk and there's less risk. For my kind of team, the absence of side projects, demonstrated lack of interest in furthering one's craft outside of paid hours increases the risk of this person not being able to pull his weight, if somehow he slips through the regular filtering mechanisms. As you pointed out, every candidate presents a unique risk profile, and every company weighs different factors differently.
- mreiland 11y ago
  I work for myself specifically to avoid people like you.
  - BadassFractal 11y ago
    I work for myself specifically to be able to isolate the kind of developers that will make my organization successful. It's wonderful that we all have the opportunity to choose what kind of environment we want to work in.
    - tphyahoo 11y ago
      Fortunately "side projects" are an easy requirement to game. On a less snarky note, I think the objection is the power dynamic of employers essentially wanting employees to train off the job rather than subsidizing continuing education, but pretending that it's a utopian "we're all in this together" situation, but where equity is not usually shared.
phaus 11y ago
As someone who struggles to find enough time for side projects, I agree that it isn't necessarily a sign that someone isn't passionate about the job. However, if someone says stuff like "I'd never work on something I'm not being paid for, I'm a serious professional that's irresponsible", its pretty obvious that they don't actually like what they are doing.
- vijayr 11y ago
  pretty obvious that they don't actually like what they are doing Not to get into a debate, but there are tons of people who don't like what they are doing. But they are still good at it. Sure they may not be truly happy, but they are good at what they do even if they don't like it.
- dagw 11y ago
  its pretty obvious that they don't actually like what they are doing. My dad has been a mechanical engineer for almost 40 years and I struggle to think of anyone who enjoys their job as much as he does. Yet I have never once seen him do any personal "side projects" that are in any way related to his day job.
  - vijayr 11y ago
    Many people truly believe in not doing anything related to their career/job outside of their workplace. They do something totally different instead. One might train for a marathon in her spare time, instead of learning the newest JS framework for example. The side project concept is fairly unique to digital workers, especially software engineers simple because we can. Noone asks an accountant or a secretary for side projects.

by vijayr 11y ago

BadassFractal 11y ago

Fundamentally, risk isn't binary. There's more risk and there's less risk. For my kind of team, the absence of side projects, demonstrated lack of interest in furthering one's craft outside of paid hours increases the risk of this person not being able to pull his weight, if somehow he slips through the regular filtering mechanisms. As you pointed out, every candidate presents a unique risk profile, and every company weighs different factors differently.

mreiland 11y ago
I work for myself specifically to avoid people like you.
- BadassFractal 11y ago
  I work for myself specifically to be able to isolate the kind of developers that will make my organization successful. It's wonderful that we all have the opportunity to choose what kind of environment we want to work in.
  - tphyahoo 11y ago
    Fortunately "side projects" are an easy requirement to game. On a less snarky note, I think the objection is the power dynamic of employers essentially wanting employees to train off the job rather than subsidizing continuing education, but pretending that it's a utopian "we're all in this together" situation, but where equity is not usually shared.

phaus 11y ago

As someone who struggles to find enough time for side projects, I agree that it isn't necessarily a sign that someone isn't passionate about the job. However, if someone says stuff like "I'd never work on something I'm not being paid for, I'm a serious professional that's irresponsible", its pretty obvious that they don't actually like what they are doing.

vijayr 11y ago
pretty obvious that they don't actually like what they are doing Not to get into a debate, but there are tons of people who don't like what they are doing. But they are still good at it. Sure they may not be truly happy, but they are good at what they do even if they don't like it.
dagw 11y ago
its pretty obvious that they don't actually like what they are doing. My dad has been a mechanical engineer for almost 40 years and I struggle to think of anyone who enjoys their job as much as he does. Yet I have never once seen him do any personal "side projects" that are in any way related to his day job.
- vijayr 11y ago
  Many people truly believe in not doing anything related to their career/job outside of their workplace. They do something totally different instead. One might train for a marathon in her spare time, instead of learning the newest JS framework for example. The side project concept is fairly unique to digital workers, especially software engineers simple because we can. Noone asks an accountant or a secretary for side projects.