> Iroincally I'd probably have more github projects if I didn't spend 20 months looking for a full-time job.
Same. I could afford not working throughout most of 2023 but I had to deal with ruined health + my leeway didn't last as long as I hoped so I was back on the treadmill just when I was starting to enjoy some freedom and a peace of mind.
> And tbh, at the senior level they rarely care about personal projects. I must have had 60+ interviews and I feel a lack of a github cost me maybe 2 positions.
I have no idea how much it costed me but I was told in no uncertain terms 10+ times that having a GitHub portfolio would have meant no take-home assignment, and skipping parts of the interview I already attended. So it definitely carries weight _and_ can help shorten hiring processes.
So I don't feel it was a deal-breaker for the people who interviewed me either but I think it would have netted me more points, so to speak.
Assuming you are graded and are the same person:
Without portfolio: 7/10
With portfolio: 8/10
...for example.
> I'm doing contract work in the meantime
Same x2, but it's mentally draining. No stability. That removes future bandwidth that would have been used for those passion projects.
TL;DR a lot of things conspire to rob you of your creative potential. :(
Same. I could afford not working throughout most of 2023 but I had to deal with ruined health + my leeway didn't last as long as I hoped so I was back on the treadmill just when I was starting to enjoy some freedom and a peace of mind.
> And tbh, at the senior level they rarely care about personal projects. I must have had 60+ interviews and I feel a lack of a github cost me maybe 2 positions.
I have no idea how much it costed me but I was told in no uncertain terms 10+ times that having a GitHub portfolio would have meant no take-home assignment, and skipping parts of the interview I already attended. So it definitely carries weight _and_ can help shorten hiring processes.
So I don't feel it was a deal-breaker for the people who interviewed me either but I think it would have netted me more points, so to speak.
Assuming you are graded and are the same person:
Without portfolio: 7/10
With portfolio: 8/10
...for example.
> I'm doing contract work in the meantime
Same x2, but it's mentally draining. No stability. That removes future bandwidth that would have been used for those passion projects.
TL;DR a lot of things conspire to rob you of your creative potential. :(