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Comment by robotnikman | Hacker News Reader

>The best tactic is to avoid the formal process, whether it's applying via the company website, or swiping right on a profile. Instead use an inside source, an employee you know at the company you are interested in, or a mutual friend who can play matchmaker in dating.

As someone on the spectrum this is something I struggle with. I have few but close friends, and only 2 of them work in tech; neither of their companies are hiring right now.

I need to find ways in which I can make new connections with people who work in tech, but I am unsure how to go about doing so.

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Meetups for special interests / tech adjacent fields. Go to more company events for the tech you use.

The other factor is finding “high elo” people with influence that can help you if you live in a “low elo” area. You’ll have to go to the “high elo” areas more often to increase chance of a better match.

Maybe I should look into events being held in 'high elo' areas. Downtown Phoenix is not too far from where I live, maybe I should check there.

> Go to more company events for the tech you use.

Careful: you don't want to poison the well you drink from.

Relationships can sour. Accusations (false or not) can easily translate directly to not having a job when your dating pool includes current, past, or future coworkers.

100% of the jobs I’ve gotten in the past 25 years have been through current or former coworkers. Some have become friends, yes - but some were merely work acquaintances who knew first hand what I was capable of and wanted me on their team / in their company.

Don’t overthink this - I’m sure you’re great at what you do, and the people you work with and have worked with in the past know that you are.

Join clubs / sign up for recurring things* that interest you and keep showing up.

Odds are there are at least a handful of people like you in those groups … and odds are that the everyone else connections to people who could be your contacts.

Just by being there regularly, you become "one of the people in tech I know" of everyone else. And connections and opportunities start magically coming your way.

*It does help if these are the types of things that attract energetic, helpful, confident people.

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