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Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

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Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#161

Post by bix6 »

tomrod wrote: post #94
dhd415 wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My longest employment stint was at such a company and it was a very good experience for me. That said, even though I worked at such a company for a while, I don't have a very good idea how I would go about identifying other such companies with open roles. Any suggestions on how to do that?

I wonder if Crunchbase would be useful here?

Responded to another thread but Pitchbook or Crunchbase can both be helpful.

Try: https://www.crunchbase.com/hub/software-companies-late-stage...

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#162

Post by travisgriggs »

At 41, I found a local family owned company with a desire to participate in the gadget space (ie material widgets with electronics for added value) in a relatively niche market (ag automation). It’s a small group, I’m sometimes the only full time software part of the team. We’ve had some wins. At 54, I imagine I’ll retire here eventually. I’ve enjoyed a huge amount of autonomy, learned a wide range of different tech (still doing so) and am rewarded by a company that values me and invests in me (I also get to put up with the drama/dysfunction that can come in a multi-generation company in the back woods of ag).

TLDR; go find a niche that is underserved and serve it. You have the breadth to succeed as a generalist now.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#163

Post by newprint »

neverartful wrote: post #54

I'm in my upper 50s and I resigned from the corporate employee world in spring of 2024. I've been working my handyman business since then. I don't have enough business to keep my schedule full (and not enough income), so I decided to get back into tech on my own terms. I've started developing a software product that I hope to launch soon. No idea how any of this will turn out, but it's the best plan I've got at the m…

I would be interested to hear about your experience transitioning to this line of work, since I want to do the same. I'm in my early 40s, software engineer.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#164

Post by javcasas »

Apreche wrote: post #53

Am I the only one still getting e-mails from recruiters all the time? My LinkedIn profile indicates I’m not looking for new work, and yet they still come to me in both personal and my work inbox. If I change that setting on my profile I know I’ll be absolutely inundated by them. Most of them I’m sure are non-starters, but occasionally there is one that is promising.

I wish. It has dried up a lot recently, and only getting junior stuff that eventually becomes paranormal (I/E ghosts).

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#165

Post by neverartful »

newprint wrote: post #163
neverartful wrote: post #54

I'm in my upper 50s and I resigned from the corporate employee world in spring of 2024. I've been working my handyman business since then. I don't have enough business to keep my schedule full (and not enough income), so I decided to get back into tech on my own terms. I've started developing a software product that I hope to launch soon. No idea how any of this will turn out, but it's the best plan I've got at the m…

I would be interested to hear about your experience transitioning to this line of work, since I want to do the same. I'm in my early 40s, software engineer.

When you say 'this line of work' are you referring to my handyman business or work to develop a new software product? (I'm happy to discuss either)

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#166

Post by pc86 »

scrumper wrote: post #30

I have a couple ideas for you from my own experience. There's about a bajillion C/D+ stage 100-500 person software companies in any B2B vertical you could mention who would fight hard for your type of experience. Not necessarily SaaS click-and-drool tools for corporate drones, but unique and opinionated products that have some significant engineering innovation inside. Those companies have essentially no ability to a…

The question I always run into for your first point - how do you find these companies? If I want to move into a brand new business vertical, by definition I don't know any of the players or know where to look for that - for lack of a better word - audience.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#168

Post by eludwig »

Secretmapper wrote: post #141
eludwig wrote: post #28

It really depends on the type of environment and work you are looking to do. At 59, I applied for a “full stack” (ugh..not my favorite term) job at a large Asia-based multi-national corporation working on support software (web apps) for their entertainment appliance platform. I got the job after a blessedly short interview process that did not involve any leet coding problems. I am on an amazing senior team at a comp…

That's interesting, are you based in Asia? I've found companies similar to what you're mentioning but they're all based in America while I wanna stay in Asia.

Actually in Los Angeles, but they have offices all over the world. The home office is in Tokyo.

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#169

Post by parpfish »

austin-cheney wrote: post #117
yodsanklai wrote: post #99

I don't think anybody can answer this question for you. At 40, you can still do the exact same jobs as someone who's 25 (at least in tech) if you put your heart in it. I don't know what's the expiry date for a SWE, but it's not 40. I'm a median IC in big tech at almost 50 and don't feel discriminated against yet, and for the most part, don't feel incompetent or behind, and feel I'm having the greatest time of my care…

While many people talk about a bias against hiring ICs over 40 I also wonder if there is a bias to favor people over 40 for promotions.

interesting that in the US age 40 is precisely when protections for age discrimination kick in

Re: Ask HN: Where to Work After 40?

#170

Post by eludwig »

daveidol wrote: post #142
eludwig wrote: post #28

It really depends on the type of environment and work you are looking to do. At 59, I applied for a “full stack” (ugh..not my favorite term) job at a large Asia-based multi-national corporation working on support software (web apps) for their entertainment appliance platform. I got the job after a blessedly short interview process that did not involve any leet coding problems. I am on an amazing senior team at a comp…

Are you working remote or in office?

Mainly remote, even though I am about a mile from the office lol. They fully bought into the remote first idea. We have team get togethers generally about once a month. Very nice to spend time with the team, but I prefer my home office with my own stuff for daily work.
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