Resources and Suggestions to Find Elixir-based Employment
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This post was originally written for my old ElixirFocus blog, and transfer here after its closure.
The following is a collection of resources and suggestions for people looking to acquire full time or project specific employment writing Elixir. I personally lean more on consulting but the topic of Elixir employment comes up enough that I thought I’d share what I’m aware of.
Elixir Job Listings
First we have the aptly named elixirjobs.net, which provides an active catalog of known job listings.
I also highly recommend the #jobs, #jobs_chat, and #looking_for_contract rooms of the official Elixir Slack
Elixir Radar, which may be more well known for its weekly newsletter, also hosts a job board, which is usually promoted in said newsletter emails.
The Elixir Forum has a dedicated jobs tag that is less active then the above can still be a helpful link to track.
Don’t Let “Requirements” Scare You Away
One of my first web development jobs was with a company that at the time was looking for full time / experienced developer. I applied despite my limited experience and with only part time availability (I was still in college at the time). They hired me anyways, found a project that I could contribute to and ultimately provided a great environment to improve my skills.
The point being, many of these job descriptions do not fully convey the situation at these companies. If there is a company or opportunity that interests you, put yourself out there, introduce yourself and share what you are looking for. You never know how it might turn out.
Elixir Meetups / Personal Networking
While applying to a specific job listing can be the most direct approach to finding a new gig, there is something to be said for personal networking. Many Elixir meetups and communities are very approachable online right now. Get out there, introduce yourself (maybe even do a talk!) and be shamelessly direct, explaining that you are looking for work opportunities. Be like Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.
Elixir Companies
If you observe a company sponsoring an Elixir conference or other kind of Elixir event, they are most likely looking to hire people. You don’t even need to limit your search to current events; if that company sponsored an Elixir event years ago they are still a good target to contact.
You can also look for companies that have been promoted for their Elixir usage or are otherwise known to be using Elixir. If you spot a company that might be a good fit, reach out to them – even if they don’t have a job listing.
Self Promotion
If you have even a mildly active personal website or social media account, consider adding a static header or profile link to a blog post explaining what kind of job you are looking for. Rename yourself on Twitter or Slack to “Billy Beta is looking for Elixir work” to make it clear, even in unrelated posts that you are available for hire.
If you need to be more stealthy, consider a few private emails to friends explaining your situation and that you are looking for something new. So much of my own works comes from friends of friends. It is very helpful to have wide social nets to allow for good things to happen.
Be Prepared
Finally, be prepared. Know what you want and don’t want in a new gig. Write it all down (paper is better) and prioritize your interview questions to align with those needs.
I personally am very behind the People-first Business movement, see also the People-first Job Board, and so I align my own questions around those values and concerns.
Your ability to land an Elixir gig has never been better. Get out there and find something that is a good fit for you. If I missed any resources, let me know.