If I was very proficient in c++, and I have some good references of
big open source projects I worked on, would my age matter as much for
a programming job>?
I am 17 years old..
Also, what is the best way to find programming jobs ?
I do not know about the area where you live but based on my experience I
advice you to get a University degree. While not strictly necessary if
you want a job in the software business I think it will bring a number
of advantages in the long run, such as better pay.
While you might be very good at C++ and programming there are also a
number of skills a good software developer should have, and many are
hard to pick up on your own. A few years of studying will also give you
some documented experience, which while not as good as real work
experience most employers will probably rate it higher than whatever
open source projects you've been working on (unless it was some really
high profile code you wrote).
