Ruby on Rails Takes the Cake!

You may (or may not) have heard about the mirRoR cake deliveries in Boston and San Francisco in the past year or so. We wanted to tell you about our experience, briefly, because we think it may have some useful applications in how you approach your job search.

With Rails’ 5th birthday approaching (last spring) we decided to order a dozen red velvet cakes with Ruby on Rails custom decoration. With cakes, napkins, and plates in hand, Brian and Kathy set out for some lunchtime visits to a few of our favorite clients in the Boston area. The result? We learned a lot more about our clients’ hiring needs and unique work environments during our informal chats, and had an opportunity to show our clients our dedication to our one and only focus.

After the success of our first few cake deliveries in Boston we have also been delivering cakes in San Francisco (with the dual purpose of celebrating mirRoR’s new presence in the Bay Area). In the past year we have delivered over 20 cakes to Ruby on Rails shops in Boston and San Francisco.

Why are we sharing this experience? We think this type of strategy might be useful to you and your job search. Looking for a job is just like looking for a client. The important question to ask is: how can I stand out? What can I do/say/bring to my interview that will show that I’m different? Is there something I can do differently to show my enthusiasm for this company? Is there an unusual way I can present myself and my skills? Our advice: be creative in your job search. Don’t be afraid to think outside the (cake) box!

In the meantime, give us a shout if your company is hungry for some Ruby on Rails cake…