Hey I really need some help I am in a similar situation and was wondering if I can get some advice on getting a job. I just have questions regarding what to put on my portfolio page like you did, and also what was the interview like? What sort of questions did they ask.
Google is for the people that want to put in the effort to pass a Google type interview. If you don't have a problem learning things then it is certainly in your reach.
I'm often reminded by how my grandparents would talk so highly of working at General Motors. To me it seemed so boring but at the time GM was considered one of the best companies to work for. I think today there is still a romanced idea that zen can be reached by getting a job at one of these types of companies.
In the meantime I'm sitting in my amazing downtown Austin home looking over my pool while I'm probablly a slightly above average developer working for startups that I find interesting. My partner is in the other room dreading the end of her holiday and having to go back to her Facebook job.
With all due respect. Don't say that about yourself!
Hit Ninu up and talk. What harm does it do. It if turns out you need to "bone up" a bit, bow you have a clear path that can get you employment at a later date. Google defers job offers all the time (or so I understand).
Nonsense. Show us what you're made of and learn to build confidence in your abilities. You never will know unless you try! SWE interviews at Google are challenging, no question, but they're also where you can shine presuming there is a command over the basics (data structures, algorithms, etc). You've built multiple apps and coded in various programming languages correct? Post a link to your Github and let's check it out.
This was before the revamp that maybe improved things, but here's a real Google interview story:
Interviewer: Do you know C?
Candidate: I wrote a tiny bit years ago, but not really.
Interviewer: Please write some C.
Also "data structures, algorithms" aren't the basics. The bullshit whiteboard puzzle crap algorithms stuff is irrelevant to 90% of actual programming. Including at Google.
In general Google does not have a good track record for hiring people with non-standard backgrounds except via acquisitions (where magically they do just fine) or if it's someone with a lot of experience. E.g. at least as of 5 years ago to be a product manager you needed a Computer Science degree. Knew one really good product manager who wouldn't have been hired by Google under those rules but had slipped in under older, more lenient rules. He only had a Computer Engineering degree and MBA.
Sorry but this is total nonsense and false encouragement. Let me translate what "command over the basics" means:
If you don't know your Floyd Warshall from your Tarjan from your Manacher then you'll just fumble around thinking you got close unless you have the remarkable gift of being able to derive these from scratch in a whiteboard situation. Also I cannot stress enough how difficult - and entirely pointless - a whiteboarding interview is.
edit: I didn't mean this to come across pessimistic and critical. I just think it's important to serve a dose of reality regarding the standard expected (and hopefully some pointers towards the kind of algorithms theory you should be not only comfortable with but also able to reproduce on a whiteboard under pressure).
Yeah probably starting out freelance is your best bet, the old school method of building sites and apps for local business. You might find the local market can work for you if a lot of local businesses still need web and or ios apps.
Thanks Dan, I am currently trying my final attempt and last hope that maybe if I show them a portfolio or link them to my github account, they are willing to hire.
I would love to stick to mobile apps but majority of companies are looking for "Senior iOS developer" and the funny thing is they list frameworks that literally just surfaced in the tech community, yet these HR reps are asking for seniority and expert levels, on top of that you have things like Superiority in problem solving, x amount of years in agile dev/dev ops principles..etc
This is the overwhelming area, even if I want to do mobile development they ask for things that are senior level!
Your suggestion about establishing a relationship with space owners, and approaching startups is a good idea, I haven't thought about that to be honest.
I've got friends who're HR professionals, and I'll say it anyway - they're idiots. I'm yet to see an HR person who genuinely understands how dev ecosystems change, and what they should really look out for as opposed to what their books in business school said.
On an ideal note, try not to go for companies that have HR doing recruitments. It's bound not to work in your favor. Your best bet is to interact directly with product owners because they know what they're looking for, and it's easier to have a direct conversation with them about the best tool/framework for the job. And a lot of startups are liberal - they have "preferred" tools/frameworks, but they're happy with someone coming in with a different option.
Please do try checking out coworking spaces. If there's startup events in your area, try them out too. A lot happens when there's a casual chat over a coffee/beer. I should know, I met my cofounders over a joint.
A couple things I haven't seen mentioned yet but may be useful for you:
- consider web/iOS consulting companies: with a targeted skill set they may be better able to properly assess your skills. Pivotal, Thoughtworks, etc.
- consider 'boring' companies like insurance, banks, GE and similar, or pretty much anywhere that isn't explicitly a software company but does hire software developers. 'Software is eating the world' and everywhere needs developers. It might not be the ideal job, but you will learn a ton about how SW development works in an organization (as opposed to solo) and how that looks on the ground. And you will be in a better position to show that you can do this.
- consider smaller non-startup companies where you would wear many hats and you can grow and show your worth quickly. And they're probably more willing to take a flyer on you because they wouldn't be able to afford paying people for all the hats you'll wear.
- when you do land a job, befriend someone in HR and learn as much as you can about the general hiring process. Interview candidates if you can. Get involved in it to learn what candidates do that works and what doesn't.
Every "Senior" started out as a "Junior" at some point. Try not to get hung up on this.
I have two pieces of advice for you, as someone who has struggled with these very things:
First, don't compare yourself with someone else. You are only competing with yourself in the end. The person you're comparing yourself to very likely could have the same doubts as you.
Second, just start. Don't get stuck in analysis paralysis, and only think things to death. I'm happy to share my experiences with you. My email is in my profile.
