Summer of Code
[business:Summer of Code] is under way and companies are in the process of reviewing student profiles. Mean while the students are sizing up the companies and selecting their preferences as well! The students have sat tests, companies have reviewed them. There was a meet and greet for all but unfortunately I was unable to attend due to an overdue holiday I was on. From what I heard it went off without a hitch and everyone talked themselves dry all night. (I heard there was a limit on the beverage consumption, not many happy about it..)
It is a stressful time for all. This year there is about 80 students in the system gunning for a job. Last year I was one of those students but now I am at the other side, trying to select a student for our projects for [business:Made From New Zealand].
I wish all the students the best of luck. If your not in the process of getting a job this year under Summer of Code, don’t fret there are still a couple things you can do to get a job, very simple. Promise.
Something I wasn’t aware of, well not entirely, when I was a student was what it is like to hire someone. We currently need another developer for [business:Made From New Zealand] and I have no idea where to look for one. I don’t want to go through an agency, I don’t want to post ads.. I just want a developer. Earlier this year we had more need for a new developer (as I was the entire dev team) and I hired a very good mate of mine from Uni. That was a lucky fluke. My point is, it is WHO YOU KNOW! People who know people hire those people…
If you want a job then jump on the internet and start surfing. Big or small, hit up companies and try to meet them personally. Don’t do the boring, here is my CV, if you like it get back to me.. No no no. Email then and setup a meeting over a cup of coffee. Get in their face! Meet them, talk to them. Work for free. I promise you’ll get a job if you try. You have to stand out. To do that, you must meet them.
Say it with me. Setup a meeting. Work for free. Get into that office and do something. You will meet people. People will remember you, people will hire you.
It is near impossible to get a job currently thanks to USA and its economy (yes I blame the states). Nobody wants to risk hiring a newbie because money is tight and hiring people is risky! (not easy to fire as it is to hire). So, gain trust. Get in there, work for free. Do the boring stuff. Work your way up to paid work. The worst that will happen is you will make contacts in your industry of work, you’ll gain work experience and you might gain some confidence for your next interview.
Go out there, get some work.