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I've been out of work thanks to a layoff for 6 months now. I want to be an entry-level applications developer/programmer within a company, but the last job I had was just a junior version of that which dealt with an obscure language. My skills in relevant languages going into that job were about the same as they were coming out. I've been trying to learn more about programming (to fill the gaps I missed in college) so that I can build a portfolio to show off to employers. I still feel like I'm way off from that point though. Aside from that, I've been applying to jobs online, because I know no other way. I've gotten a few interviews, but they never went past non-technical interview questions.
I only said all the above to answer questions you guys my have when I ask this: how do I network in the industry of computer programming when I have nothing built from before? My previous co-workers can only help for references. Beyond that, I only know college professors in the IT arena. They can't offer much help beyond critiquing my resume. My area (physical location) isn't good for programming jobs unless you have a ton of experience already. I would have moved to a better area if I could've afforded it. The thing is, applying for jobs online is (in most cases) like throwing your resume into a black hole. Especially since I'm applying to places 1-3 towns away most times. I've pumped hours into new cover letters and such only to hear nothing back. This is indeed the most ineffective method to find a job. It took 7 months to find a job like this fresh out of college, and now it's taken just as much fresh out of my last job. I don't know how else to do it though.
I wanted to ask about this, because even when I get a new job, I don't know how I would network from there. I had my last job for close to a year and a half, and didn't do any there.
You can take your time responding to this. This isn't an emergency; I'm living fine off my emergency fund until I find a job. It's just angering me that I don't have the first clue how to do things outside of job boards.
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I come from India so things here may well be very different from what you would have at your end.
One thing we must have is patience. IMHO, at any experience level, no one can claim getting a job in a day. It depends on market state, if companies really want someone with your skills and if they are ready to afford you.
To look for jobs, I rely on job hunt websites and only that. Takes a while but I have been fortunate enough thus far. Other than that, you could try out linked in. Just be ready to get spam type requests from certain recruiters. Also, please avoid those who think it is same as Facebook. There used to be a job forum here but I can't seem to find it any more. There is one at SO too if want to give a try.
Meanwhile, I would recommend you to write some tools and utilities show casing your skills and put them as articles here or at CodePlex or anywhere you would like. Make sure employers can access it if they want to.
You also mentioned about your location. I would prefer clarifying my stand on relocation if necessary up front.
Again, be patient and all the best.
"Bastards encourage idiots to use Oracle Forms, Web Forms, Access and a number of other dinky web publishing tolls.", Mycroft Holmes[ ^]
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One place to network is at your local computer user group. You can meet people with all skill levels there, and you might even like to give a workshop on whatever topic you are strong in.
Pass out your business card and see where it leads. Good luck. 
The difficult we do right away...
...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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I tried this a few years ago. It was nothing but senior citizens bragging about how may anti-virus programs they had running, or how many times a week they defragmented their hard drive. It wasn't the type of 'user group' I was expecting. I never went back.
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
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I agree with the user group suggestion.
If you go on meetup.com and look for local meetups of interest. You might be surprised at what is available.
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I put myself on LinkedIn in order to find and connect with colleagues from earlier jobs. A nice side-effect of my LinkedIn presence was being contacted by recruiters who work permanently at specific companies. Even though I'm not looking to move, some of these contacts have proved to be quite useful because of my mutual interest in those companies. You may want to consider doing the same.
Good luck! 
/ravi
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I presume that you are following the job ads in the local papers.
Additionally you should post a CV (resume) on some job sites like (but not limited to) Monster, Career Builder, jobs.com, jobsdb.com, etc.
Don't forget government jobs USAJOBS[^]
If you don't mind leaving the country try:
Bayt[^] Middle East
webjobz[^] Global
As others have said don't give up hope it takes time to find a job.
Good luck. Hope this helps.
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Ask your old classmates from college how they got jobs. Ask for favors from any of them that is really good at networking or interviewing.
And practice reading and understanding people now, before you interview. Hiring managers think about themselves when they interview people more than they think about their interviewees. The hiring process is one of many things they do to advance their own goals and careers, and understanding them, their goals, and their thinking process is helpful in figuring out how to interview with them.
Hiring managers who specifically hire entry-level developers are usually either cheap or desperate, and they have their own systems of deciding who's a low-risk option likely to get the work done without too much trouble. If the "apply-everywhere in bulk" option isn't working out well for you, then specifically hunt down hiring managers who fall into the "cheap" or "desperate" category, and do everything you can to figure out their system of evaluating interviewees before you submit anything.
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I recommend registering with plenty of agencies. People who advertise on boards are basically cheap anyway. Agencies have lots of access to the people who count, often exclusive access to non-advertised positions. Also, these people have no other job but to get you a job.
As for CV building, what the guys have said is all good stuff, but I would add that it helps to build a product of some sort, one you came up with on your own, using something you have to work at. It should be something you can take with you on a netbook, tablet or laptop, to interviews, and it should involve commercially viable technologies(such as .NET on any platform, although Mono Linux might appear a little more impressive for little outlay of effort).
In conclusion, play to your existing strengths where you can, but venture outside your comfort zone and learn to talk the talk.
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In addition to what the other posters have mentioned, joining an open source project may also be a networking opportunity. You can contribute, gain some experience in an area, and make contacts.
One other point is that your efforts should be oriented toward what you can bring to an employer, i.e. you're selling a product (you and your skills) and a solution (how those skills can help the employer) to an employer.
volee68
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Classmates (i had a cs major) are definitely very helpful, I got a couple of jobs from their recommendations.
Linkedin is very good, I landed a good job from it before.
Local hackathons and meetups are also great for networking, and you get the added bonus of learning new skills and adding another project to your portfolio.
Job websites are good, but no where near as good as the above in my experience.
Amr Abdel Majeed
Senior Software Developer
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A length of CAT6 and some connectors. Oh, hang on...
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Try Meetups.com. I was out of work for a year and I started going to IT related Meetups,
Meetups that peak my interest. I went just to talk to new people and introduce myself.
To fine out what company's were looking for in the area I lived.
I found it real helpful when I was interviewing because I was not rusty talking about
what I was looking for, what I did.
Check out start-up meetups.
Luck be with you.
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I can honestly say that I never got a job through my CV. It helps to know someone. Personal recommendation is worth more than a super resume so get to know as many people as you can and sell yourself eyeball to eyeball. Create a portfolio to show off. Above all don't give up and keep checking the agencies and ads.
Lots of luck.
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
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Try craigslist.com. Under jobs main title type in what your looking to do.
There are lot of positions available.
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Pick a programming language that you are interested in . Practice it by developing some useful applications , you can use sites like pluralsight.com to get to know about the technology(montly subscription), Use stackoverflow.com and browse through the categories related to programming language that you picked . I particularly mention stackoverflow because, lots of developers post the difficulties that they faced during their programming job and experts provide solutions. BY going through those questions and solutions you can learn a lot about real time application development ofcourse with practise. Once you are confident, apply for the jobs related to programming language you picked , you can easily get through technical interviews.Also try freelancer.com to get some money flowing in. Happy Programming
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Lots of good advice here. I think the problem is not networking but the skills or lack of them that you can offer a prospective employer.
I suggest:
1. Spend time building up your skill based quickly rather then networking with the same ineffective results.
2. Pick a language and technology area (one that will get you a job and which you'll be happy or content with).
3. Do a coding marathon for 2 weeks where you build a program or website that works, is useful, and applies to a business situation that will help land you a job.
4. Post it to the web, do an article on it for Code Project, put it on your website (you have one right?) along with blog posts and/or descriptions on how and what you did.
5. Write up a simple Word document highlighting what you did with screen shots. Use it as a support document with your resume/CV (and referenced in it).
5. Now network. Use your showcase document during interviews. You'll get much more interest and eventually a job because you can show people that you can build software not just be a wannabee.
- Grant
PS: And then keep going/repeating this to build your skills, knowledge, experience, and showcase software. You'll be successful because most wannabees don't want to spend the time and effort to actually build things. And virtually no company nowadays will invest in training for junior programmers so you'll have to do it yourself. Best of luck!
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I think D@nish is on the right track with posting your work to Codeplex, etc., but an even better solution to your "when I have nothing built from before" problem is to volunteer to do some real-world projects for non-profit organizations on a consulting or pro bono basis, in return for them providing great reference recommendations and letting you talk in depth about your project (omitting anything proprietary about the organization, of course). Non-profits tend to be unable to afford serious programmers, but still have real business needs. Since there is no financial risk, they will not be as picky in interviews, so it will be easier to get your foot in the door and get the valuable project experience you need when pitching yourself for more serious programming jobs.
Glenn
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I don't network anymore. Today there was a nice article about internet trolls. Well, the worst trolls you will find are within the recruitment industry.
modified 20-Oct-19 21:02pm.
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Local user groups are a great way to meet people informally who are in the industry. I have personally never found work this way, but on numerous occasions I have seen others do just that. Plus attending these meetings will help plug those gaps you mentioned.
Recruiters, a good recruiter will find you a job.
I tell this to everybody I know in a situation similar to yours (not that uncommon) - get visual studio express, build a windows phone app in C#, publish it. Even if nobody downloads it, this is a great resume builder. If java/android is more your thing then go that route. What better way to address questions about competency in a language then to show you published an app in that language.
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I'm cleaning down an old laptop before handing it over to begin its new life. It is genuinely cathartic to uninstall some of this software (e.g. SQL Server 2005, Adobe... well, Adobe anything, HP Printer drivers galore...)
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You should definitely format it... 3 times... After any of those aforementioned softwares have touched a computer their smell lasts for long...
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May be it's just me. Youtube video here[^]
SFW
"Bastards encourage idiots to use Oracle Forms, Web Forms, Access and a number of other dinky web publishing tolls.", Mycroft Holmes[ ^]
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