DEV Community

Discussion on: Self-taught devs: what's keeping you from landing your first job?

Collapse
 
krgrs profile image
kenny

And I think that's the exact situation most hiring managers are trying to avoid with hiring someone with no experience. As a hiring manager, if someone had no experience, would a unique portfolio of projects built to solve real problems, combined with a body of writing on their thought process when building things, and them taking the initiative to reach out to you showing interest in working for you be enough to confidently give them a chance?

Thread Thread
 
190245 profile image
Dave

Strictly personally... I think a portfolio would help, but isn't a requirement.

As for their thought process, I have ways to figure that out in an interview situation. The most important thing someone can do if they don't have industry experience, is make their application stand out.

In my case, I was in a position between candidates A & B. A had some (under 6 months) experience, and B had none, but came across in interview as more enthusiastic (for a number of reasons). I went with enthusiasm over experience, and I'm honestly not sure it's working out.

Though, I'm not done yet, if I can turn it around, we haven't lost anything with the on-boarding process.