Ask HN: Is this enough to find a job?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8665285

by blackZero • 12 years ago

2 9 12 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Hi, I'm a Phd student in Machine learning. I work on Neural networks optimization using evolutionary algorithms and i code in C++. Is it enough to find a job?

anigbrowl• 12 years ago

Probably, but you should pick some problems and make interesting demonstrations of your ability as a calling card. People in the commercial world are attracted by results more than by potential; the results need not be that interesting in academic terms if they are novel in product terms.

blackZero2• 12 years ago

Thanks

Matt_Mickiewicz• 12 years ago

A job, yes.

Your dream job, maybe not.

You don't say where you live... or whether you have any internships under your belt.

Some hiring managers at tech companies (especially early stage ones, say sub 200 employees) look down upon new PhD's as being too academic and lacking in commercial experience.

Do you have any Python experience?

blackZero2• 12 years ago

I live in north africa. No internships. No experience but i plan to take courses on Python, java and R when i finish my Phd.

kovrik3• 12 years ago

i plan to take courses on Python, java and R when i finish my Phd.

In my opinion: find what you want to do and become a professional in that field.

Don't try learn everything. Start from one thing.

kovrik3• 12 years ago

My advice: try. Always try.

Finding a job is a matter of chance.

I know many people who just sit and think "I'm not ready yet, I have to read N more books, I have to grok data structures, I have to grok algorithms, I have to learn OO, FP etc. Soon I'll be ready for Google.". And they just sit, read books and so on.

You never find a job this way (in my opinion). Just do small steps: find any job (or internship), gain some experience. If you get bored - find next job. And so on.

After several steps you notice that you get higher and higher, you have some serious experience, your CV gets longer etc.

You lose nothing if you fail an interview. But gain a lot: you know gaps in your knowledge, you know what questions are being asked, you become more confident.

Don't be shy, don't underestimate your abilities and just give a try.

zubairq2• 12 years ago

This is incorrect, finding a job is not a matter of chance. There are many specific things you can do if you want a job which will increase your odds by 100,000%, such as contacting companies and telling them how you will add value, instead of just saying "Hire me!"

I know, I have had an offer where I give $1000 to anyone I can't find a job for and haven't lost yet!

Zubair - NemCV.com

kovrik3• 12 years ago

I'm not saying that you should learn nothing and just go to 1000 interviews - and you get your job.

Do not exaggerate, please.

Ask HN: Is this enough to find a job?

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