content: i shouldnt need to write "hello world" in some language... i can get hired and be contributing within 1-2 weeks regardless of language  If my partner wanted a semi-literate troll to take 2 weeks to produce something of any value, he would off-shore that shit to Indians for $3 an hour. If you want to work in CS, you need projects that prove you can think, and you need to nail whiteboard interviews to prove you know your shit without training wheels. There is simply no way around this.  Why would anyone hire you if there is a candidate with better qualifications who can pass the white board interview? And no, your bullshit $300 credentials won't cut it.