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Re: Open Source, Publications, and Resumes

by davorg (Chancellor)
on Jan 21, 2003 at 09:49 UTC ( [id://228637]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to Open Source, Publications, and Resumes

I've recently seen an example of this working against me.

I had an interview for a permanent job with a large internet company. My CV lists all of my external Perl activities. Because of work like nms and my CPAN modules I always ask questions in interviews that are aimed at preventing me from getting into tilly's situation. I also mention that I can to carry on writing articles (and maybe even books) in my spare time.

Normally I'm applying for contract posts and these external interests are seen as positives, but in this case the large internet company expressed concern that all the other things I was involved in might indicate a lack of commitment to a full-time job. They still were still debating whether or not to invite me to a second interview when I accepted an alternative offer.

--
<http://www.dave.org.uk>

"The first rule of Perl club is you do not talk about Perl club."
-- Chip Salzenberg

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Re: Open Source, Publications, and Resumes
by mojotoad (Monsignor) on Jan 21, 2003 at 16:45 UTC
    Normally I'm applying for contract posts and these extrenal interests are seen as positives, but in this case the large internet company expressed concern that all the other things I was involved in might indicate a lack of commitment to a full-time job. They still were still debating whether or not to invite me to a second interview when I accepted an alternative offer.

    That sounds short-sighted on the part of that first company. Imagine not hiring these positions for these reasons:

    • A movie director because they create independent movies.
    • A graphical designer because they draw and paint in their spare time and show their art.
    • An engineer because they build hobby robots, train sets, or radio kits and trade with others who share their interest.
    • A chef because they enjoy gourmet cooking and run a tips and tricks web site or have a cooking show on cable access.
    • A carpenter who does volunteer construction work for his community.
    etc., etc.

    I suppose the real distinction here is people enjoying these hobbies while at the same time maintaining a public presence of some sort regarding that hobby.

    Anyway, the company you mention sounds short sighted. I'm glad you accepted that alternative offer.

    Matt

Re^2: Open Source, Publications, and Resumes
by Aristotle (Chancellor) on Jan 22, 2003 at 15:35 UTC

    mojotoad beat me to the punch. I would not want to be employed at a company that worries how my personal interest in my craft may impact my work output. I'm not looking for a place that is looking to hire a drone. This is along the lines of Abigail's Oath - I'm hired because I know what I do, not because I do what I'm told.

    Bottom line, negative as it may seem that it prevented you from getting this job, it probably prevented you from getting a job you didn't actually want to score in the first place. And esp. if you already had more interviews in the pipe and could afford to pick, I don't see any reason to think of that in a negative way.

    Makeshifts last the longest.

      Does anyone know a Perl Developer with strong DB2 for a contract position ?

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