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November 28, 2010 12:08am
Subscribe [1]#1 / Nov 28, 2010 12:08am
Most of you know, I’m a Sr. Software Engineer in some pretty exclusive US government organizations. I thought it would be interesting to see the public’s response to our current hiring practices (ie. the first 2-3 steps of our interview process).
Check out my quick rundown at my blog and let me know what you think!
#2 / Nov 28, 2010 2:32pm
Most of you know, I’m a Sr. Software Engineer in some pretty exclusive US government organizations. I thought it would be interesting to see the public’s response to our current hiring practices (ie. the first 2-3 steps of our interview process).
Check out my quick rundown at my blog and let me know what you think!
One of your questions relates to pet projects after clocking out and going home. As a freelancer, I never really clock in or out. Are freelancers automatically disqualified? I’m not looking for a job. I’m just curious if being a freelancer means “worthless” to you. I haven’t had to look for a job in a long time, and hopefully I’m not in that position again. I fear that being a freelancer equates to zero experience to a Sr. Developer.
#3 / Nov 29, 2010 11:35am
Are freelancers automatically disqualified?
Absolutely not - actually, it’s a good thing. It shows you have initiative, you are a self-starter, and you can be given additional responsibility beyond “code this” (since, as a freelancer you also have to manage your time, your business, finances, legal issues, etc).
In regards to the pet project - it’s an application you built for you. You weren’t paid by someone else to do it, it was something you wanted to do - an idea you fleshed out from step one and if you made some money off of it that’s okay as well, but not really a factor.
The point is: most places are looking for passionate developers, not drones that are going to come in, do their work, and go home. When I hire someone it’s because they are passionate - if others listened in on a conversation they would think we are talking about work, when in reality we are just talking about something we enjoy: developing. Every passionate developer I’ve known has pet projects. Some examples from this community: Derek Allard (Bamboo Invoice), Phil Sturgeon (PyroCMS), Dan Horrigan (FuelPHP) - all successful pet projects they developed because they wanted to.
#4 / Nov 29, 2010 12:51pm
Michael, that’s nice to hear. Thanks for answering.
#5 / Nov 29, 2010 1:51pm
I was much more interested in this post. Juicy