Re: jobs

["Scott P. Smith" <ssmith@scott-smith.com>]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you will have a difficult time,
unless you have a degree from a respected university.  Even then it will
be hard.  You will be competing with people that have years of
experience under their belt.

I have over 13 years of hard core C++ and Java development experience a
BS and MS in Electrical Engineering, and it took me three months to find
a job when the startup company I worked for folded.  Five years ago,
when I posted my resume to a job site, I would have 20 messages on my
answering machine within 24 hours.  I would have 5 or 10 interviews
within two weeks.  Now I would be doing good to get 1 call a month.

The best way to get a job these days is by knowing the right people.  If
I were you, I would develop professional contacts.  You might think
about working for an Open Source project or for a charity.  Be generous
with your time.  But be generous in a smart way.  Don't give your time
away without building relationships.  You will learn along the way by
doing. And you will be creating future references. Even if you are not
getting paid.  You will then have something to put on your resume (you
don't have to say you didn't get paid).

Aim high, but don't expect immediate gratification.  It will probably a
long haul.  I used to recommend people go into this field, but I don't
anymore.  

Scott

On Sat, 2003-08-23 at 08:09, free country wrote:
> Hello everyone!
> 
> I am a brand new programmer wanting to gain experience
> in the professional world. In your opinion, how hard
> is it to get an entry level job in this tough economy?
> What is the best way to go starting out?
> 
> Thanks!
> Natalie
> 
> 
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