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Just to clarify, I wasn't saying there is anything precious about an American programmer versus programmers in other countries. What's precious to me is my abil
by firebug 17y ago
Just to clarify, I wasn't saying there is anything precious about an American programmer versus programmers in other countries. What's precious to me is my ability to pay the rent. And finding a job would be a nice first step. As I said in my original post, I understand that foreign programmers are more than able to compete with me on every measure. Except that I'm here in NYC and they're not. So if that's the only advantage that I have, how can I best use that? I'm not making any judgments here. Or if I seemed to, I certainly didn't intend to convey that because that's not the way I think. Nevertheless, I appreciate your well-considered response. It sounds like it comes from some real experience with Craigslist-based gigs and sounds pretty realistic. Thanks for the feedback.
- mahmud 17y agoHere is a list of all the recent CL computer gigs in NYC that demand only a local candidate: http://newyork.craigslist.org/search/cpg?query=local http://newyork.craigslist.org/search/cpg?query=local Cast your social net wide and deep. Talk to everyone. Usually you start your freelancing career with accounts you get from previous employers, coworkers or people in your daily life who know what you do AND that you're available for freelancing work. Here is a tip: instead of just reading the available jobs section, read the services offered section. What might seem to you as "competition" might just be someone with complementary skillsets. Partner with them. Try a post like "software engineer seeks competent business person"; grab everyone who replies to you and kick some ideas back and forth. Offer them hefty cuts and they will go out and source you a project. Scratch backs and offer kickbacks. Most people just need a "computer guy" and they have no clue what sort of service they need. Offer free consulting help ("hey, let me come with you for that meeting, I can suss out the guy for you and see if he is really good", etc.) Once people consider you "their guy", they will turn to you for help. However, it takes ALLOT of fucking socializing, chit chatting, catching up and going out for coffee and beer. You're gonna kiss the REPL and that debugger good bye for a few months my friend. P.S. Don't hesitate to take a side white-collar gig (sales, support, billing, etc.) you will get some killer domain knowledge, make contacts, and you can always resurface as a software developer when you know of their needs. Right now, in this economy? I wouldn't hold out for that $120k C++ Architect job that we all had a while ago. Cheers!
- firebug 17y agoAs regards the white-collar gig, my suspicion was that if you appear to switch fields, HR assumes you're not committed to I.T. if you try to resurface later as a programmer. But I'm leaning in that direction anyway. It can't be any worse than being unemployed :)