Ask HN: How to get a job without even getting an interview?

12 points by enesunal 7 years ago | 13 comments

I'm constantly working on my CV and trying my best to write cover letters. I know I have ability to impress most interviewers with my own way of thinking, my technical skills, and 5-years professional experience.

The only problem right now is that I can't even get an interview. I'm pretty sure this is just about me being a Turkish Citizen. I've tried to apply with a reference, by online tests, etc. I currently have 130+ applied jobs in my list and only got 2 interviews after which they found excuses about not to offer because it's hard to deal with visa issues I guess..

How can I get over it, what are the ways to get an interview for a job with visa support?

bsvalley 7 years ago |

I guess you’re applying for jobs in the US? If so, they can’t sponsor you... it is that simple. Applications for a working visa in tech were sent on April 1st this year. Because of a limited number of visa allocated every year, candidates got selected via a lottery mechanism. So this year, US tech companies can’t hire you. It’s not about your skills, CV, etc. No more visa available for 2018. They have to go with local candidates only until next year.

You’ll become eligible early next year. Make sure to apply a few months prior to April 1st. That’s how you’ll increase your odds.

apohn 7 years ago | |

> Applications for a working visa in tech were sent on April 1st this year.

There's another important pain point in the US H1 visa system. New visa applications start in April, but people who get the visa cannot start working till October.

Companies are very risk averse when it comes to sponsoring new works visas due to this. The end result is that typically companies only sponsor new work visas for people that are already working for them(e.g. short term work authorization after getting a US degree, people working at a different branch outside the US, etc).

A lot of people work for large companies outside the US and then transfer to the US. This is not just large software companies, but also Banks, Consumer Goods (e.g. Pepsi, Proctor and Gamble), Industrial Companies (e.g. Siemens, Maersk), Energy Companies, etc.

Not to discourage you, but don't focus a lot of energy trying to get a US work visa unless you have some way of coming to the US and working on a different temporary work authorization. Find a country that where it's easy to get a work visa and build your experience there. Find a large company that is willing to hire you will sponsor a transfer to a country you want to be.

For example, the United Arab Emirates makes it easy to sponsor people for employment visas and there area lot of MNCs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Lots of people work in UAE for a few years before migrating to another country. UAE isn't the best place for people who are passionate about software, but you can get a decent job there.

enesunal 7 years ago | |

Thanks for explanations about visa for US. I also tried European and Canadian companies, however there was no chance. I will try to apply for US companies on January to increase the odds.

slededit 7 years ago | | |

Canadian companies are very insular and don't compete globally for talent. While some companies do recruit abroad its the rare exception.

jakobegger 7 years ago |

A lot of companies here in Austria will hire people from abroad. We just don't have enough programmers, and if you have a computer science degree it is very easy to get a visa, no matter where you are from.

That being said, companies might get a lot of applications from abroad. When I advertised a programming job in Austria on Stack Overflow, I got more applications from Egypt, India, etc than from local candidates. So you need to be good. You need to be better than all the other good people from abroad that apply for the job. Getting a Visa isn't difficult, but it still takes a few weeks or months, so companies only do it for really good candidates.

You say you have the ability to impress people -- how do you know that? Most junior developers I've met overestimate their own abilities, and don't understand when companies looking for senior candidates don't hire them.

Also: make sure that your applications are relevant and on point. Some people copy paste application letters and send almost identical applications to dozens of companies. When I get a low effort application like that, I just throw it out. If the candidate can't bother to explain in a few sentences why their experience is a fit for this position, they aren't worth my time.

Make sure to focus on relevant experience. If I'm looking for someone to build an online shop, I probably don't care about your robotics project in undergrad.

Finally, consider looking for smaller companies. Big, popular companies in major cities receive a lot of applications. Small companies in smaller cities don't get any applications at all and pay recruiters 15000€ per hire because noone replies to their ads.

tmaly 7 years ago |

In my company, only certain positions can get sponsorship for a work visa.

Aside from a CV, I like to pay attention to a persons github account if they list one. Seeing their style of code, testing, naming, and documentation says a lot about them as a programmer

zhte415 7 years ago |

I wrote a bunch about myself, then deleted it coz this is about you.

Get your foot in the door. It is extremely hard at the start. But it can happen. Take a challenge and don't be a reckless self-promoted, but let others know your achievements. That should put wind in your sails now you're on the sea.

Don't have a fixed target. Another poster mentioned Singapore, which is an excellent launching-ground for a lot of people from multiple nationalities. Include Australia, even KL, Asia is full of English speaking places.

phakding 7 years ago |

How much experience do you have? Or are you fresh out of college? In the later case it takes a while if you need a visa.

It is also possible that your resume is unreadable, or does not convey right information easily. You might need to have someone look at yours.

I am willing to help you. I have been on my seventh job and it took me frustratingly long time to find my first job. It hasnt been hard since then.

enesunal 7 years ago | |

Hey @phakding, thank you for your support! Could you please reach me by email? Just add @outlook.com to my username.

gruntled_enginr 7 years ago |

Besides EU, Canadian and US companies you might want to consider Singapore and Hong Kong. Especially in Singapore, people speak English well and both have ( to the best of my knowledge ) reasonable employment visa policies, specifically to draw outside talent.

cimmanom 7 years ago |

Try finding a few good recruiters. (They're not all evil!) They'll be able to put your resume in front of employers who are open to visa sponsorship.

ApolloRising 7 years ago |

Try amazon they deal with h1b all the time