To register for the RPN afterparty at Unspace HQ, click here.

Obligatory Manifesto:

Let's face it: it's better to be a Ruby developer than a car manufacturer in 2010, but things have definitely slowed down — for everyone. And yet, there are solid reasons why this is an excellent time to start new projects, launch companies, and create new markets. By definition, Ruby has been adopted by creative individuals that grew frustrated with risk averse bureaucracies.

We believe that there are huge number of opportunities to be found during this economic downturn, both for freelance developers and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. As with most tragic historical near-misses, there are just a huge number of connections that aren't made even in our own collective back yard.

That said, we also believe that Ruby people are determined self-starters that aren't afraid to self-promote. Anything worth doing in life requires hard work and sacrifice. Sadly, while many developers are patient and willing to think orthogonally, we rarely get an opportunity to practice the other more social skills which make us desirable as team members, project managers, and co-founders. Unless we overcome our shyness and learn to speak eloquently about our experience and skill sets, we have nobody to blame for our work prospects but ourselves.

So how does require "date" work?

Note: We have changed the venue to Unspace HQ. The set-up will be a little less formal, but in the same spirit.

The back room of the Rivoli will be a series of two chairs placed in the interview position. Each job-seeker will be issued a red stick-on tag with a number affixed to it, and each employer a numbered blue tag (think marathaon markers from those embarrassing high school track meets). We will call out corresponding numbers from the stage every 5 minutes so that everyone is in steady interview rotation attempting to woo one another.

This seems like an opportune time to tell you that the back-room bar will be open for business.

Just like last year, there will be no computers of any kind allowed! iPhone apps are cheating, too. Get creative with your business cards, hand-outs and other bait, and be sure to look and smell terrific.

THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC EVENT! Please note that there is a cap of 20 developers and 20 employers, and that we can only permit admission to the people who are actually participating/interviewing.

This is a light-hearted but entirely real attempt at demonstrating that our Ruby development community in Toronto is totally awesome, and that we support each other as best we can whenever possible. Spots will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.

If you work as a Ruby programmer in the Toronto area, and you're willing to embrace the ultimate constraint of communicating in person with actual real people, then we cordially invite you to come and get hired.

For news and updates: www.rubyjobfair.ca

Sunday May 30, 2010 (2pm - 4pm)

The Rivoli (Back room)

332 Queen Street West, Toronto

UNSPACE AFTERPARTY!

To commemorate the end of the 2nd annual Ruby Job Fair (and as a delayed response to RPN's 5-year anniversary) we want you to join us for a little white-collar debauchery at this special edition of Ruby Pub Night.

Our skylined Unspace HQ rooftop will be decked out with barbeques, kissable chefs and bartenders, tunes, tiki torches and keg-centric drinks. Our way of saying thanks for making the years of RPN consistently great.

All Rubyists (and friends of Rubyists) are welcome, BUT YOU MUST RSVP early - we had to limit attendance to the size of the joint.