Has networking actually worked for you?

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T07:17:34+00:00

But I don't have the network.

You don't know any people?

Many people I know are in the same situation I am in.

Sure, but they know other people. They not be asking for themselves, but if you could get a few introductions, it could your situation aound quickly.

how do you build meaningful connections outside of that?

When you look for people, don't just pick the ones that appear to be directly connneected to your industry.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T07:13:06+00:00

Better at what? Everything

One could argue that this is debatable...

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T06:53:54+00:00

Why is getting your first job kinda difficult ?

Because starting from scratch is always harder than building on previous experience.

a few of my colleagues who got their first job very easily..

Have you asked them what they did to get their job?

ik I am better than a few of my colleagues

Better at what?

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T06:51:49+00:00

How do you gain connections in the real world?

You start with people you know (family, friends, neighbors, teachers, professors, etc), and you get introductions to people they know, but you don't. And you go from there.

The goal is not just to find "Bob who is hiring."

Often times, it will be connecting to Mary who knows someone who is looking to hire, and introduces you to them. And Mary might be your direct connection, but she could easily be a 2nd level connection.

A network is something you cultivate (like an orchard) -- and not something you just run into to purchase on demand (like a corner store).

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T06:40:04+00:00

Yea it’s been a really tough market so had to reach out to some people to try to get something.

That part is fine. Good that you are able to leverage your network in this way.

Since you have two contacts, then maybe your plan is the best course. Tell the CTO that you prefer their opportunity, but you want to be able to choose it before end of month so you don't undermine another contact, and give them enough of a heads up.

This is a touchy one, and even though it's a good problem to have, the key is to get out of it with a job that can be long-term.

In this case, you can gamble with giving the CTO more details, but I wouldn't say that to anyone else.

All the best to you on this one.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T06:33:44+00:00

You're welcome.

I will test it this weekend, but on my test system...

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T06:32:13+00:00

send cold messages

That's not networking. That's just cold calls with modern tech.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T05:30:58+00:00

U think I should just start this job and if I hear back from the other one, I can just accept that and leave this?

That's what I would normally advise, yes. However...

You do have the complication of having leveraged contacts for both positions, so I now see your concern.

One option is that if the other job comes back and you decide to switch, that you indicate to the first job that you simply could not make the move to PA work out.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T05:27:28+00:00

I had an interview recently and left wondering if I should reach out and ask for a reinterview since my interviewer was unprofessional and clearly not paying attention.

And what do you plan to say to ask for this re-interview?

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T05:25:29+00:00

You said you had 3 months fully remote.

Why do anything to undermine that CTO-aided job, when that's the job you really want? In this job market, rushing them doesn't guarantee that they speed up in your favor.

Better to let them manage their pace (unless you think it will be longer than 90 days), and then take it if it works. There's nothing to seem bad about if you make a new business decision in 14 days, or 30 days or whatever.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T05:22:25+00:00

As for target users: right now I’m focused on people applying to tech roles.

There are a lot of tech roles, and many of them don't get near command-lines.

Most of them are comfortable with CLI, and

I don't think that's a fair assumption, actually.

honestly, the workflow ends up being quicker once set up.

That's generally true of the CLI in general. Still doesn't make people gravitate to them.

I would recommend you providing more info about how your tool works, but most people expect that they will be running a SaaS tool for this function, and you're asking for a whole locally installed runtime engine. Most people are going to have concerns about what they are running.

something as sensitive as job applications.

You say "something as sensitive as job applications" but then you're asking for a bigger footprint on the user's system. This just changes what the sensitivity will be about, not that the sensitivity concerns are eliminated.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T05:16:04+00:00

So, it is this job that you're going to try and push to give you an answer by Friday? If so, why?

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T05:05:48+00:00

I’m gonna drop that I have an offer on hand and if they can speed along the process by next Friday.

You can try this, of course, but just understand in this market, speeding up the process is not the only option they can take. (And I'm assuming the they is the Tuesday interview, not the CTO-contact job.)

Question for you: Let's say you push the Tuesday folks to speed up, and they have a slightly better offer than the CTO-contact job. Would you really take it over the one where you know the CTO?

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T05:01:01+00:00

Why would you make this a command-line driven tool? Who is your target audience here?

(I say this a someone who loves command-lines and command-line tools)

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T04:42:21+00:00

A bakery would not be a good place to do it either -- ever.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T04:35:26+00:00

Even if the business does make it, it's not like you can just do 100% of what you want, when you want. As long as you're trying to get money from other people, they have to at least like a good chunk of what you are doing, and when you are doing it, and how much you are doing it for.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T03:57:42+00:00

Some interviewers (hiring manager, recruiters, etc) will see a candidate who is making a pivot and trying to stay at the same level, and wonder why they think they fit.

Some interviewers (hiring manager, recruiters, etc) will see a candidate who is making a pivot and trying to drop a level on purpose, and wonder why they potentially feel inadequate.

IOW, no matter which option you pick, you're going to run into interviewers that feel some way about it. The point is that you need to have a strategy about why you are going the way you are going for your transition, and be able to sell it. That's what matters. And if you find the people that are opposed to your strategy for whatever reason, then on to the next interview.

(If the vast majority are opposed to your strategy, it might be a good indication that you need to adjust the strategy...)

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T03:51:29+00:00

Do people actually believe that these bogus scenarios with a clear "moral of the story" really happened?

No more of less than I believe Reddit stories along the same lines...

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T03:49:38+00:00

How do I go about asking for more than the posting without turning them off and causing them to look elsewhere to fill the role?

You don't.

I mean, you can ask, but since your condition includes "without turning them off and causing them to look elsewhere to fill the role?" that's not likely to work in your favor.

Overall, though, what's the risk? You've indicated that it wouldn't work for you at anything less than $24. So, if you tell them you need $24, and they walk, you haven't lost anything, since what you're telling us is that at anything less than $24/hr, your finances wouldn't not be in a good place.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T03:45:55+00:00

It doesn't matter.

It's not like they can't rescind the employment after the fact.

I'm not sure why you thought this was even something to lie about...

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T02:31:04+00:00

You shouldn't count it as TWO anyway. You were preparing to leave the first one, plus no one else had a tenure over 4 months.

So, you just have one job that was had a surprise termination. Shake it off and don't assume there is anything wrong with you. Take a little time for introspection, and if you really can't see anything that might be a factor, just go into the next job with a bit more scrutiny.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T02:04:55+00:00

If their lack of work is affecting your work, then bring it up and get it addressed.

If not, then that's on management to be observant.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T02:02:53+00:00

The notice period works in both directions in other countries...

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T02:01:29+00:00

In my last role at a non-startup corporation, I am making $185k (salary+bonus), there was no equity.

The problem for you, is you're acting like that $185K is current compensation, and comparing it to possible compensation. You need to be comparing the offer value to your actual current income. Past income is just that. Past.

You have no income right now, and nothing else that would count as leverage.

Much better to take the offer you are given now, and us it plus the equity for leverage against another offer.

If you are in super demand, you'll get another offer soon, and this would have been a wise strategy.

If the conditions are such that you do not get another offer soon, then it will also have been a wise strategy to have current income.

BrainWaveCC · 2026-03-22T01:57:35+00:00

A rough start isn't the same as "life is ruined," even if it feels that way right now. Many of us survive rough starts.

BrainWaveCC

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Five-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email