Ask HN: What should I do to land a “non-trivial” remote job?

8 points by thanhnguyen2187 3 years ago | 11 comments

I started my job searching nearly 3 months ago, and did not have great success. I have around 3 years of experience, mostly in the backend spectrum and can do some frontend/DevOps/platform stuff if it is needed. I found my solace in functional programming, and exploring programming language theory (interpreters and compilers), and really want my next job to be either:

- In a functional programming language (I can do Clojure and OCaml semi-well), or

- Allows me to dive deep into interpreters, or compilers, or anything that is more challenging than backend data gluing

I implemented a related side project (a toy Lisp interpreter in OCaml), but was not sure if it helps. Networking does not work for me, as most jobs in my country are the typical data gluing ones in popular languages. I figured that my choices are in remote jobs, but I have a hard time finding/applying to them.

What else can I do, HN?

brudgers 3 years ago |

If your passion is compilers and interpreters, do that and treat your day job as a day job.

Same as if your passion was barbershop quartet or scrapbooking.

I mean sure there are jobs doing each of these things. But they are few and far between and filled based on relationships among professionals. Compiler people hire other compiler people because they prioritize who they team up with.

Three years experience is not thirty years experience and it’s not a PhD, and those signal commitment beyond wanting an interesting day job.

Good luck.

turtleyacht 3 years ago |

Have you tried this link? It was top of mind for me, due to recent discussions around HN "slash links" [1]:

Jobs at YC Startups - https://news.ycombinator.com/jobs

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/lists

thanhnguyen2187 3 years ago | |

Thanks for the reply. I had no success with Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) and WorkAtAStartUp, and Monthly HN Hiring. I cannot be sure if /jobs is going to be different, but I will have a look anyway.

turtleyacht 3 years ago | | |

Have you also tried StackOverflow Jobs?

https://stackoverflow.com/jobs/companies

As well, ask some friends to forward you their job links on LinkedIn, if the request would be well-received.

I'm not sure, but functional programming with systems programming seems pretty niche.

Have you also tried contacting research folks in that area? It's kind of a cold call, though. But they may know someone at Commercial Corp.

Zaheer 3 years ago | | |

We just launched https://www.levels.fyi/jobs - check it out and hope it helps!