I applied to a programming researcher position in a science related startup. I was rejected in the final stage of selections, probably failing against just one or two other candidates. It is an early startup that is still fused with a research institution with professors as part of the management board.
I really want to get into this team. Would it make sense to prepare myself and increase the chances of my acceptance applying later?
As the startup is based on a scientific project, most of the technologies are still publicly available and the majority of the software stack is open source.
The preparations I am considering are:
- Develop a module or extension and come with it to the team to talk again.
- Develop and contribute code to the open source part of their project (I am sure I will pass code review).
- Try to acquire additional expertise precisely in the area (mine is slightly off) and communicate with them that I did. This can be done by reading books that the professors recommended and doing more programming as practice.
Could these or possibly any other actions be helpful, or is the decision final and I should move on?
I am currently unemployed anyway so please do not deviate explaining how this would conflict with my current job.