[boobsbr]

> Answer this: where can I look at some stuff you built?

You can't, it's closed source proprietary internal stuff. And I'm not allowed to talk too much about it because I had to sign a NDA.

[bicx]

This. And while learning is important, I really am getting tired of the bullshit line about everyone needing open-source side projects (and this is coming from a guy who enjoys side projects). How many other professionals need side projects for legitimization? My mechanical engineering friends build stuff too, but no one's expecting them to bring in a home-made contraption for their interviews.

[JazCE]

Fully agree. I wouldn't discount anyone for not having a github project. I have a life outside of work, i enjoy going out and being with friends and family. I spend most of my waking hours during the week at my machine coding, it's not something I want to do at the weekend, and that doesn't make me a bad coder.

[Qworg]

Anecdote: A guy who wanted one of our open mechanical/embedded positions came in with something he built and programmed. It was super impressive side work and helped him stand out.

Sadly, when you're competing against the world for many positions, you need every possible advantage.

[yen223]

Either that, or it's code that runs machines that most people haven't even heard of. Not everyone builds web-apps for a living.

[neverminder]

I have to second that. When you work in a team of >20 on a closed source enterprise software which is also not public facing - there's little to nothing to show. I can't help but think that only a small fraction of programmers are actually lucky enough to work on some open source projects that make a difference and there's something to show.

[NKCSS]

There's always something to tell. Even when under NDA, you can link to the company/product you worked on, can't you?

I did on my 'about' page ( http://nickkusters.com/About ) for stuff that was under NDA and I haven't had any comments.

[mrsteveman1]

Did you know some of the links at the bottom are spitting out 500's?

But hey that's a lot of interesting stuff you've worked on :)

[zimpenfish]

I don't have NDAs but I have the same kind of problem - lots of things I've done have been internal tools/systems which aren't visible or wouldn't make sense to anyone outside the relevant companies.

[johnward]

I see the same but the job hunt seems to favor OSS. if you can't share code you write at work then the other option I'd to give up free/family time to do some side project you can share.