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Ask HN: Can I Help You With Your Job Hunt?

9 points by helen842000 ↗ HN
Hey HN,

After finishing my degree in Comp Sci I trained in technical recruitment. I thought it would be interesting to get paid to understand the industry and learn about the roles that were actually out there, market rates, negotiation skills, interview techniques, resume writing etc.

I enjoyed helping people find their ideal role but disliked most of the way traditional recruitment companies worked (profit over people). I absorbed the useful skills & transferred them into my own career.

I moved into my own technical roles where I've been for the last few years. More recently I've started managing a team of engineers and have found that a lot of the career mentoring advice (what I assumed was common knowledge) to be the most useful.

I have provided highly successful resume assessments in a freelance capacity for a while now and would like to extend this further.

Is there anything I can help with on your current job search?

In return, I'd just like feedback on your progress.

Thanks!

(I'm my username at gmail.com if you want to get in touch directly.)

17 comments

[ 2.0 ms ] story [ 48.9 ms ] thread
zubairq
Good to see someone doing this. I do the same at Nemcv.com, in fact offering people $1000 if I can't find them a job. I have NEVER failed. Amazingly, most people do not think they have a problem with finding a job, they think that there are no jobs out there. But good luck! :)
helen842000
Thanks! Nemcv.com seems pretty smart, do you offer 121 advice alongside the CV builder?
matt_s
Here's one for you: I used to do web/software development then moved into various roles like Architect, Tech PM, and now manage a team of engineers scaling web/db infrastructure and some DevOps stuff.

I work at BigCorp and don't like the prospects of middle/upper management. They seem too far out of touch with reality and don't have marketable skills outside the company (politics, budgeting, etc.)

I want to go back to software engineering/architecture - have done some recent work with Rails and I can pick up new tech pretty quick. The fundamentals don't change and background in CompSci is a great foundation for thinking like a computer.

Some questions: - I don't have a github or twitter profile or blog. Does this hurt when looking at newer/small and tech-oriented companies? - I have applied to a few postings (being picky) but generally don't get past tech recruiter. Any tips on "impressing" a tech recruiter to get to the next level? - I've worked remotely before, have the discipline for that and would prefer it since it opens up many more opportunities. Any tips for applying to these types of roles?

helen842000
I think if you're applying direct to a small startup or company that has a strong culture - they are more likely to want to look at some kind of online profile. It cuts through a lot of the traditional process where everyone describes themselves in a similar way. If you want to work for that kind of company make something useful, make it public & up-to date. Write about it, share it. That shows you are actively building projects again. Reach out to those companies that you want to work for even if they are not actively hiring. Start a conversation.

As for getting past tech recruiters - I don't think they have time to get impressed with specific candidates. They just want to send their quota of best resumes to the hiring manager.

Try and avoid applying through recruiters at all costs. You can usually work out the company it's for by taking the description in the job advert and doing a quick search. Apply direct where possible.

If you have to go through a recruiter then send your resume and call straight after. Ask them if they have received it, if you can tailor it specifically to the role, what stage the job is at - do they have a date set for interviews yet. Ideally you would stay on the phone until they send it across to the manager. Help them to do their job in one phone call.

You have to remember that if a job is with a recruiter it says something about the job or the company. It has probably been advertised internally, on their website and all other kinds of free places before they go with a recruiter. Same goes for jobs in newspapers. It's either a low salary or a very picky hiring manager.

I'm happy to take a look at your resume - my e-mail is above.

However for remote roles a good place to start is with the companies that show up on the monthly hiring posts here.

th1agofm
I have a somehow good github having contributed to big projects, have dealt with large scale ruby apps, did a lot of projects and development of backend systems in general but can't find my way to get a _very good job_ outside my country. I already make almost as much as I could with a software engineer role in my country. Would your experience in recruiting help me?

I don't mind even to pay you a plus if you get me a good job or have a lunch with you every 6 months to talk with you what's new because for me that's a big endeavor which I can't seen to reach.

Most of recruiters I've seen are only interested in doing the obvious: find candidates inside their home country and there's plenty of recruiters like this. I think that a recruiter that specializes into recruiting people from overseas(and with success) is going to be of value to any company and with a unmatched differential.

helen842000
I'll certainly do whatever I can to help. Feel free to drop me an e-mail. I think a lot of it depends on your expectations of what a _very good job_ is really. Are you looking to relocate or to work remotely?

Is it the increase in salary you're after, different culture, or opportunities perhaps?

th1agofm
Different culture, the experience to live abroad. I would rather relocate. I'll send you an e-mail asap.

Thanks!

[dead] th1agofm
Different culture, the experience to live abroad. I would rather relocate. I'll send you an e-mail asap.

Thanks!

sodium
Another one for you - Here is my Ask HN post for some career advice few days back: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8551407

I would love to get some advice on this, as I am still clueless.

helen842000
I think it's important to project yourself as 'something specific'. What I mean by that is if you attempt to broaden your search and throw everything onto your resume then it will not come across as a focused application. You will get passed over in favour if specialists on most occasions.

By all means have several versions of your resume - perhaps one that brings out your iOS experience that you use for iOS jobs. Another for a different specific focused tech stack or area.

Happy to help you revise your versions if you want to send an e-mail across.

sodium
Thanks, will send across my resume for review.
ccastillo_cl
How a developer of a country with easy access to VISA's (Chile) can be hired and relocated to the US, Canada or Europe?
helen842000
A route in would be to find a company to work with remotely or maybe multiple contracts. I think it's often hard to get companies to make the leap for an unknown candidate unless you have outstanding experience or rare skills. Best way round this is to keep searching for additional work as an intro to the companies you want to work for in the places you want to relocate to.