[noidi]

> I do a lot of research and learn about programming in my spare time, but have hardly any personal programming projects to show.

I think this point is not stressed enough whenever this subject comes up. A person who spends all his free time reading CS research papers and experimenting with different solutions to problems he encounters in his field is not passionate by this standard if he doesn't have a pet _project_ to show at the interview.

[shabble]

In that case, you could probably knock together a quick page or two summary of what you've been reading and playing about with. It might take a little time, but it's easily transferable to any other job applications, and you might even find something interesting to add to your cover letter.

I'd treat that at least as well as a pet project, and possibly more so.