I know this is something everyone says, but I feel it's important to emphasize this point, especially for programmers, and especially in this economic climate. You don't have any idea who will lead you to your next job. The job I have now is an excellent move for me, and was possible because someone I don't remember mentioned me to one of the owners of the company. A google search pulled up my resume which had been just put up and online a week before, and led to a phone call, and eventually, a job opportunity that I was more than happy to accept.
I don't know the guy who talked about me. Apparently, however, he had a lot of good stuff to say, enough that enticed the owners to search me out.
But really, I have no clue who this guy is. I didn't work for him, but I guess at some point he was able to see the work I'd done, and was impressed enough with it that almost five years later, he remembered my name well enough to drop it into a conversation with someone else. This was perfect timing, because I had just started looking for new work.
So, let this be a lesson to you. Make the assumption that whenever you are working with someone that they will talk about you 5 years down the road to a perspective employer. What will they say? What will they remember? Many times, programmers become specialist in certain areas. In retrospect, it's not hard to see how this happened, considering the small number of players in this industry I'm in. But, in your industry, people will remember you, and years later, if you are still in that industry, how will people remember you?
So be careful. Even that guy you never meet, you might only speak with once, or you really just only deal with in passing might take more interest with you or your work. You never know how things will work out.
Never Burn Bridges
Moderator: General Moderators
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alex.barylski
- DevNet Evangelist
- Posts: 6267
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:00 pm
- Location: Winnipeg
Re: Never Burn Bridges
Agreed 110% 
I learned this the hard way, being overly critical of others on forums (ie: Tony Marston, etc) might make you feel better about yourself, but no one takes a cynic seriously, or at the very least professionally.
I have burned many bridges, for various reasons, some extremely personal others just because the anonimity of the Internet allows me to be a mega jack a$$ in ways i would never dream of in face to face conversation.
I have put a great deal of effort in 'growing up', watching my P's and Q's and trying desperately not to inslut anyone when replying on forums. Something I think most developers could learn to do better, IMO, myself included.
Cheers,
Alex
I learned this the hard way, being overly critical of others on forums (ie: Tony Marston, etc) might make you feel better about yourself, but no one takes a cynic seriously, or at the very least professionally.
I have burned many bridges, for various reasons, some extremely personal others just because the anonimity of the Internet allows me to be a mega jack a$$ in ways i would never dream of in face to face conversation.
I have put a great deal of effort in 'growing up', watching my P's and Q's and trying desperately not to inslut anyone when replying on forums. Something I think most developers could learn to do better, IMO, myself included.
Cheers,
Alex
- daedalus__
- DevNet Resident
- Posts: 1925
- Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:52 pm
Re: Never Burn Bridges
haha i must be on fire.
but wanted to say i agree.
i can be.. abrasive, face to face and online. you'll be really surprised at the places you see people who made you angry. nine times out of 10 they'll remember like it was yesterday while you've forgotten completely.
but wanted to say i agree.
i can be.. abrasive, face to face and online. you'll be really surprised at the places you see people who made you angry. nine times out of 10 they'll remember like it was yesterday while you've forgotten completely.
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alex.barylski
- DevNet Evangelist
- Posts: 6267
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:00 pm
- Location: Winnipeg
Re: Never Burn Bridges
Not much in face to face contact, in person I am a relatively shy person, but will talk the ear off an Elephant about computers if given the chance, or so I was just told while leaving work.i can be.. abrasive, face to face and online