Re: About 'Show me your Code'

[sundialsvc4]

It is actually pretty straightforward to “come up with something” that is not revealing of any employer’s intellectual property, but that clearly demonstrates what you can actually do.

It’s pretty basic that, if you have something to sell, you need to be able to demonstrate something.   You need to have “good references,” and some kind of basic “brochure” (so to speak).   That would be equally true whether you are peddling very expensive professional services (as, in fact, you are...), or home remodeling or the service of cutting tree-limbs.

“Selling” is a basic skill, and it’s actually fun.   It is really important in this case, because you know that you are up against “closet hacks” and (heaven help us all...) recruiters.     :-D     If you’ve actually got it, learn how to sell it effectively.

And if you don’t (yet...) have a long and impressive pedigree built up, then learn to sell what you do have.   Most of us “old timers” taught ourselves, and as we earn our daily bread, that’s very much what we continue to do.   (The very first computer program I ever wrote was eight lines long, took me six months to write,and had a bug in it.   One of my latest ones has 350,000 lines, took fifteen years to write and has lots of bugs in it.)   Continue always to teach yourself.   Always have a very clear notion of what you are confident that you can do, and always work to be able to express those skills in a way that truly inspires confidence.   Know what balls you can hit, and hit every one of them out of the park, every time.   Word gets out fast.

[MishaMoose]

First Greetings to Nashville. I am a native currently in Ohio on a contract.

This is good advice. It's not that I do not know how to sell myself. In the 30 years I have been programming I have gotten offers from about half the interviews I have had. I don't have too much trouble selling what I can do in person. Of course at this point in my career and new to contracting it is a little different story and the 'show me your code' thing is new to me. I can understand why prospective employers are interested. But now i have several excellent suggestions on what to show and how.

many thanks to all!