The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5)

It's not what you know...

... it's who you know.

Rewind to 12 months ago. I'm being interviewed for a position as a C++ developer at a big company, a global player. The interview goes nowhere.

I end up leaving my company kicking and screaming, and find a contract position with a company that then sells my services to another company: the original big company. I don't say a word about my interview because I don't think it's necessary. The project is killed prematurely, but I end up on the good side of the project manager, the person who, inside the big company, is responsible for that project. Without me saying a word she refers me to another contract (that I politely decline).

Forward to Monday. I am called for another round of interviews inside the big company.
In the name of full disclosure I refer to my participation in project X and once I get home I forward an email to the previous project manager saying something like "well, if someone asks you something about me, this is what's happening....".
Like I said, I am on great terms with said project manager. I believe I did ok on the interview.

Now, was it ok to send that email to the project manager?

RP
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

I guess I'm bit confused: Why _wouldn't_ it have been OK?

Kyralessa
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Dude,

They called you for the second time, meaning they like and need you. You provided a reference they know that's another plus.

Consider yourself hired.

Jason
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

More pertinent is the fact that BigCo is now seeking you out, and you have valuable experience on one of their projects. This gives you excellent bargaining power.

Ask for 20 to 50 percent more than you would have a year ago, especially if it's one of those big outsourcers.

me
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

The unspoken truth of business:

It's not what you know.

It's who you blow.

Chen-li Fan
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

<I>The unspoken truth of business: It's not what you know. It's who you blow.</I>

Unspoken, my ass. It seems that the only folks who haven't got this clue yet are (most) software engineers.

Soft "people" skills and human networking are just as important as technical skills. For long term sucess in this industry, both must be developed.

Wayne Earl
Wednesday, May 26, 2004