Ask HN: How to get a job without even getting an interview?

I guess you’re applying for jobs in the US? If so, they can’t sponsor you... it is that simple. Applications for a working visa in tech were sent on April 1st this year. Because of a limited number of visa allocated every year, candidates got selected via a lottery mechanism. So this year, US tech companies can’t hire you. It’s not about your skills, CV, etc. No more visa available for 2018. They have to go with local candidates only until next year.

You’ll become eligible early next year. Make sure to apply a few months prior to April 1st. That’s how you’ll increase your odds.

A lot of companies here in Austria will hire people from abroad. We just don't have enough programmers, and if you have a computer science degree it is very easy to get a visa, no matter where you are from.

That being said, companies might get a lot of applications from abroad. When I advertised a programming job in Austria on Stack Overflow, I got more applications from Egypt, India, etc than from local candidates. So you need to be good. You need to be better than all the other good people from abroad that apply for the job. Getting a Visa isn't difficult, but it still takes a few weeks or months, so companies only do it for really good candidates.

You say you have the ability to impress people -- how do you know that? Most junior developers I've met overestimate their own abilities, and don't understand when companies looking for senior candidates don't hire them.

Also: make sure that your applications are relevant and on point. Some people copy paste application letters and send almost identical applications to dozens of companies. When I get a low effort application like that, I just throw it out. If the candidate can't bother to explain in a few sentences why their experience is a fit for this position, they aren't worth my time.

Make sure to focus on relevant experience. If I'm looking for someone to build an online shop, I probably don't care about your robotics project in undergrad.

Finally, consider looking for smaller companies. Big, popular companies in major cities receive a lot of applications. Small companies in smaller cities don't get any applications at all and pay recruiters 15000€ per hire because noone replies to their ads.

In my company, only certain positions can get sponsorship for a work visa.

Aside from a CV, I like to pay attention to a persons github account if they list one. Seeing their style of code, testing, naming, and documentation says a lot about them as a programmer

I wrote a bunch about myself, then deleted it coz this is about you.

Get your foot in the door. It is extremely hard at the start. But it can happen. Take a challenge and don't be a reckless self-promoted, but let others know your achievements. That should put wind in your sails now you're on the sea.

Don't have a fixed target. Another poster mentioned Singapore, which is an excellent launching-ground for a lot of people from multiple nationalities. Include Australia, even KL, Asia is full of English speaking places.

How much experience do you have? Or are you fresh out of college? In the later case it takes a while if you need a visa.

It is also possible that your resume is unreadable, or does not convey right information easily. You might need to have someone look at yours.

I am willing to help you. I have been on my seventh job and it took me frustratingly long time to find my first job. It hasnt been hard since then.

Besides EU, Canadian and US companies you might want to consider Singapore and Hong Kong. Especially in Singapore, people speak English well and both have ( to the best of my knowledge ) reasonable employment visa policies, specifically to draw outside talent.

Try finding a few good recruiters. (They're not all evil!) They'll be able to put your resume in front of employers who are open to visa sponsorship.

Try amazon they deal with h1b all the time