Hacker News Reader

Comment by Blackstone4 | Hacker News Reader

It's easy for people to criticize. Ignore them. Recruiters want easy wins so they can get paid.

There will always be people who are negative about X, Y or Z. Find your own way. If you start believing them that is trouble because it'll come across in any interview.

Be proud of the time you took out to travel around Asia. "I had a fantastic time, learning about new cultures, broadening my mind, meeting new people from all over" etc. On top of that you were resourceful enough to pick up projects/freelance work over that period. Many people will be jealous of this. Speak to this part of them.

Not sure if you had prior experience or just graduated. Either way I would put it on your resume along with your travel. Something like:

2017 - Travel around Asia while freelancing. Here's a list of freelance projects I worked on: - Sysadmin running servers.

2014-2016 - Software engineer, Midwest city - Regular software job

View on HN

People who don't understand why you took time out to travel around Asia, are people you probably don't want to work with. Think of it as a culture litmus test.

If you're back and not currently working, you could pick up freelance work or work on your own project or open source. This will give you something to talk about when talking to recruiters. i.e. What are you doing now? "I take freelance work and am also working on this great project which does X, Y, Z".

Also believe in yourself. You are valuable. When speaking to potential companies interview them to see if there's a fit. Be like I am really looking for the right opportunity and X, Y, Z. I'm not willing to jump on anything....(even if it is not the case, play hard to get. People want things that are hard to get.... not things that come easily)

This is very true!

When you start interviewing you'll see plenty of recruiters who think it's awesome what you did and will want to know all about it And you'll meet those who look down on it for some weird reason ("what do you mean you want to be free/control your own life?").

But the inspired ones will help you all they can to see if you and the company are a match. The best recruiters (IMO) are your temporary & one-shot career counselors: if they're empathetic and highly intelligent, then they are information highways between you and the prospect employer. You all have only to win in a situation like that!

Very much this.

Take a long look at the companies providing feedback around your time off being troublesome. Likely, you wouldn't want to work with them.

> People who don't understand why you took time out to travel around Asia, are people you probably don't want to work with. Think of it as a culture litmus test.

This ^^^^^ Was about to say it! So true.

THIS!!! Freelancing is still working. Showcase it, don't hide it, however you have to learn to _sell_ yourself better. For instance, I would put "Private Consulting" rather than Freelancing on your resume.

It would be even better if you had your own company, then you could put "Backpack Consulting Inc." on your resume ;) Don't hate the player, hate the game :)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com