I have experience in only one language: C . I was looking for a new job but I see all companies who provide C jobs want an experience in RTOS, Embedded domain etc. which is not my domain and almost all companies look at the projects one has involved with and 90% of the job adverts mention C++.. I have good experience in C. So I thought I can go ahead with C++.
What if I start learning OS development which I personally like. Will that help ? Any suggestions ?
Job search advice
Re: Job search advice
No.
Your chances at ever getting a job in the OS business are very, very slim. It would be a further specification of your already rather limited list of skillls. If you are looking at improving your chances at getting a job, widen your portfolio. You might expand into C++, but actually I would suggest looking at other technologies first. SQL, C#, perhaps Python or Ruby. Yes, that isn't as "cool" or as "technical", but it's where the jobs are.
This is coming from a hardcore C++ coder, so it's not like / dislike motivated.
Your chances at ever getting a job in the OS business are very, very slim. It would be a further specification of your already rather limited list of skillls. If you are looking at improving your chances at getting a job, widen your portfolio. You might expand into C++, but actually I would suggest looking at other technologies first. SQL, C#, perhaps Python or Ruby. Yes, that isn't as "cool" or as "technical", but it's where the jobs are.
This is coming from a hardcore C++ coder, so it's not like / dislike motivated.
Every good solution is obvious once you've found it.
Re: Job search advice
If you present an OS in interview, I seriously doubt the interviewer know what the hell is it. Oh well, HR and head hunter will ignore "OSdev experience" in your portfolio since it does not match any technology keyword they heard of(or interested in).
Re: Job search advice
Indeed. The vast majority of job openings is business-oriented, i.e. "we do whatever a customer pays us for". The HR drones go for keywords, and "virtual memory management" or "interrupt handling" aren't popular ones, while "database", "webservice" etc. are.
I was lucky, went into the business with half a dozen languages already under my belt, and worked in the C++ / *nix corner of the market for over a decade. I always did a "peek" into other technologies (Java, C#, PL/SQL, OWB), but focussed on this one area to the point where I'm rated a valued specialist these days (which I am reinforcing by studying C++11 in my spare time, which most C++ coders have touched only in passing).
But even so I have to widen my portfolio too. There are another 30 years in the trade ahead of me, and chances are very slim that I'll spend all those doing C++, so I also study C# (also in my spare time). Realistically, that is already a bit late, because the market is full with people who did C# for years already - but the time where I can pitch general experience against specific knowledge is running out. I skipped the Java and Python hypes already, it's time to take the train again.
This is a cutthroat business. Being good and one thing doesn't cut it. You have to play catch-up on a constant basis for all your professional life, and while depth of knowledge gets you through your working day and gives you good resumés, it's width of knowledge that gets you your next job.
I was lucky, went into the business with half a dozen languages already under my belt, and worked in the C++ / *nix corner of the market for over a decade. I always did a "peek" into other technologies (Java, C#, PL/SQL, OWB), but focussed on this one area to the point where I'm rated a valued specialist these days (which I am reinforcing by studying C++11 in my spare time, which most C++ coders have touched only in passing).
But even so I have to widen my portfolio too. There are another 30 years in the trade ahead of me, and chances are very slim that I'll spend all those doing C++, so I also study C# (also in my spare time). Realistically, that is already a bit late, because the market is full with people who did C# for years already - but the time where I can pitch general experience against specific knowledge is running out. I skipped the Java and Python hypes already, it's time to take the train again.
This is a cutthroat business. Being good and one thing doesn't cut it. You have to play catch-up on a constant basis for all your professional life, and while depth of knowledge gets you through your working day and gives you good resumés, it's width of knowledge that gets you your next job.
Every good solution is obvious once you've found it.