I want a programming job bad
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Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
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Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
I got my first job based on the first ever MFC application I wrote. I don't have a degree. What matters most IMO is getting yourself out there, and being confident. What matters next is being able to survive an interview ( knowing enough for your confidence not to be misplaced, and being able to answer questions under pressure ). Christian I have drunk the cool-aid and found it wan and bitter. - Chris Maunder
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Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
Sounds like you've already done more than most people getting programming jobs these days (many of whom just "study" computer programming in rush-through type courses). Just bolster your resume with these types of projects, as it helps to show employers that you have an interest in computer programming outside of work. I typically look for that sort of thing when hiring, as well as a desire to learn and understand.
Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles
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Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
I never finished a degree and have spent 3 years travelling pacific islands getting paid to write code. Just start applying, you will either get a job or find out what is "enough". Wouldn't worry to much about that "killer app" it will divert valuable time and energy and really piss your girlfriend off.
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I never finished a degree and have spent 3 years travelling pacific islands getting paid to write code. Just start applying, you will either get a job or find out what is "enough". Wouldn't worry to much about that "killer app" it will divert valuable time and energy and really piss your girlfriend off.
What's a "girlfriend"? :~ --------------------------- He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. -Lao Tsu
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What's a "girlfriend"? :~ --------------------------- He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. -Lao Tsu
Soft, smells good and is not a cushion
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Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
I'll add to what Christian Graus said. If you go through employment agencies don't be dishartened because their job is to screen unsuitable candidated. But, from my experience, they cannot tell an unsuitable candidate from a goat. They are no better than the find function in Notepad. If the employer is looking for MFC and you've written Microsoft Foundation Classes they just ignore it (it isn't what the employer is looking for as far as they are concerned). I put the full title of my MCP certifications on my CV which confused them because they had to ask what was the difference between "C#" and "Microsoft Visual C#.NET" I've also been on the other side of the fence (as an interviewer) and the amount of crap CVs that these agencies send really doesn't merit the fee they get. (Seriously, they should have told the person who submitted a 17 page CV to cut it down a bit, it was dense full pages as well [thats about 200 words per page = 3400 words in total!!!] - I didn't see what I wanted in 30 seconds and it was in the bin.) But there were diamonds in the rough. Anyway, put your self about. If you can publish an article or two here then it can help - I'm sure it got my foot in the door of a couple of companies last year at least. Good luck!
"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar "On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." --Charles Babbage (1791-1871)
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Soft, smells good and is not a cushion
:rolleyes::laugh: --------------------------- He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. -Lao Tsu
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Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
If you write that "killer-app" then if I were you I'd start a business and sell the heck out of it. Then you can be your own boss and employ others.:) You might also want to consider publishing your existing projects here on CP which would a) be of interest to us, b) be good to show to prospective employers. Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows www.getsoft.com and coming soon: Surfulater www.surfulater.com
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I'll add to what Christian Graus said. If you go through employment agencies don't be dishartened because their job is to screen unsuitable candidated. But, from my experience, they cannot tell an unsuitable candidate from a goat. They are no better than the find function in Notepad. If the employer is looking for MFC and you've written Microsoft Foundation Classes they just ignore it (it isn't what the employer is looking for as far as they are concerned). I put the full title of my MCP certifications on my CV which confused them because they had to ask what was the difference between "C#" and "Microsoft Visual C#.NET" I've also been on the other side of the fence (as an interviewer) and the amount of crap CVs that these agencies send really doesn't merit the fee they get. (Seriously, they should have told the person who submitted a 17 page CV to cut it down a bit, it was dense full pages as well [thats about 200 words per page = 3400 words in total!!!] - I didn't see what I wanted in 30 seconds and it was in the bin.) But there were diamonds in the rough. Anyway, put your self about. If you can publish an article or two here then it can help - I'm sure it got my foot in the door of a couple of companies last year at least. Good luck!
"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar "On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." --Charles Babbage (1791-1871)
Let me return the favour by adding that I concur absolutely with this: Colin Angus Mackay wrote: If you can publish an article or two here then it can help In fact, I was the first person hired where I work now without a degree, and I think what convinced them was my WDJ articles. If you can take a magazine to an interview, and you're in it, that can help a lot. Christian I have drunk the cool-aid and found it wan and bitter. - Chris Maunder
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I'll add to what Christian Graus said. If you go through employment agencies don't be dishartened because their job is to screen unsuitable candidated. But, from my experience, they cannot tell an unsuitable candidate from a goat. They are no better than the find function in Notepad. If the employer is looking for MFC and you've written Microsoft Foundation Classes they just ignore it (it isn't what the employer is looking for as far as they are concerned). I put the full title of my MCP certifications on my CV which confused them because they had to ask what was the difference between "C#" and "Microsoft Visual C#.NET" I've also been on the other side of the fence (as an interviewer) and the amount of crap CVs that these agencies send really doesn't merit the fee they get. (Seriously, they should have told the person who submitted a 17 page CV to cut it down a bit, it was dense full pages as well [thats about 200 words per page = 3400 words in total!!!] - I didn't see what I wanted in 30 seconds and it was in the bin.) But there were diamonds in the rough. Anyway, put your self about. If you can publish an article or two here then it can help - I'm sure it got my foot in the door of a couple of companies last year at least. Good luck!
"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." --Zig Ziglar "On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." --Charles Babbage (1791-1871)
I was very lucky five years ago when I found an agency and the guy dealing with the area I wanted to work in was brilliant. Sadly many of the others I had dealt with were err... shall we say not so impressive ? Elaine :rose: The tigress is here :-D
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What's a "girlfriend"? :~ --------------------------- He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. -Lao Tsu
What's a "girlfriend"? The other "software"... Steve
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Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
The projects are a good differentiator, but I thik they are like extracarricular activities in college applications, a "killer-app" won't seal the deal. Your fit with the development team and your ability to contribute and learn from the team should probably be more important then your current skill level. Focus on finding a place where you can learn from the people around you and grow your skills to keep from getting bored.
Don't expect to get more then an entry level position. Each of your first jobs will be a learning experience, and you will probably have to jump around a few times until you get in full swing.
The important thing is to keep trying. One thing I've found useful is to format my resume in 2 sections. The first part buzzword heavy for the recruiters and the second a breakdown of all my projects focused on selling myself to the development managers.
I've also found this to be a decent guide to getting myself in the right state of mind for interviews. Programming Intervies Exposed My goal is to look at code like a chessmaster looks at a chessboard to see positions and possibilites beyond lines and characters. -
Hi, I currently have a web design job, but I have been programming in C/C++, MFC, etc for about 3-4 years and want to get a programming job eventually. I also have a degree in Computer Science which will probably help. I have a pretty good resume, a few MFC projects to show for demos, but is that enough to actually get a programming job? I was thinking about making another project to wow employers, but I am having trouble coming up with a project to work on. I've done a fully-featured HTML Editor, an FTP client, several game projects, etc. but I want to make a "killer-app" to show potetional hiring managers, programmers etc so I can get a job. Any advice?
I am kind of in the same situation as mcguile. I have been working as a Newtork Engineer for the past 2 1/2 years. I am only 2 years out of college. I have a degree in Computer Science. I have gone on a few interviews but nothing really promising. I have found that all the agencies want people with experience and same with the companies hiring. I have found sites like monster, careerbuilder and dice of no help to me. I am just running out of places to look :( I have been working on applications to keep myself fresh. I just try to keep learning. Its just becoming very stressful. Well thanks for all of the advice! :-D There are 10 kinds of people in this world. Those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Soft, smells good and is not a cushion
So the word "Muffin" is a synonym for "Girlfriend"? Cool! Learning something new every day! -- - Free Windows-based CMS: www.zeta-software.de/enu/producer/freeware/download.html - See me: www.magerquark.de - MSN Messenger: uwe_keim@hotmail.com