Hey folks! I'm about two years into my career and looking to transition into more of a backend engineering role. I'm curious if personal projects really make a difference when applying for jobs, especially since I've heard some people claim that after a while, experience and referrals are all that matter. I'd like to know if personal projects have actually helped you land jobs after a couple of years post-graduation. Also, do these projects have to be directly related to the job you're going for? For instance, would a cool working compiler or a NeoVim plugin impress hiring managers for a backend position?
3 Answers
While personal projects might not guarantee an interview, they definitely give you conversation starters during interviews. Plus, interviewers can tell when someone is genuinely passionate through their projects, so try to build something that excites you!
I’ve found personal projects don’t usually come up in interviews, even when I link them in my CV. It’s frustrating because they showcase my skills much better than job experience. But they definitely help indirectly since I can discuss things I learned outside of work.
A successful personal project can definitely make an impact when your resume gets a first glance. It highlights your programming skills in a way that typical interview questions don't. Just make sure it's something meaningful that you learned from!
Got it! It’s all about how I present those projects, even if they aren’t directly related to the job, huh?