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Ask HN: So I'm being let go

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Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#61

Post by 404error »

ideonexus wrote: post #50

> I've spend the last decade working with HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP and a suite of other tools. I think this is all we need to know. You have 10 years experience in web development. That makes you a Senior Software Developer at pretty much every company I've ever worked. I don't think you have anything to worry about skills-wise. PHP is still in high-demand. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript aren't going anywhere anytime so…

My local newspaper is the only paper in my city. Our population is roughly around 100K. Unfortunately living in a community where agriculture is the main source of income technology jobs are scarce. The closest city to me with tech jobs is about 1.25 hours away (Santa Barbara). This might be my short term option, until I can relocate somewhere else.

Thanks for the advice.

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#62

Post by 404error »

NetStrikeForce wrote: post #9

It is time to specialize. You say you're a jack of all trades, but you probably have to spend a bit more time thinking about what are you a master on, because I don't believe you haven't become a master on something after 10 years working in the same place. You might not be an ace with HTML or CSS. Heck, you might not even be a great coder (I suck at coding!), but you've probably learned very valuable lessons about h…

I've ran some ideas past management in the past but working with people who are 20+ years your senior you kind of get overlooked or pushed to the side. Especially in the Newspaper world.

For the past 5 years the focus has been on the bottom line and if you have to lay off people to reflect a better number then so be it.

It's hard to see this place go down this route when you genuinely believe in the product. Having an informed public is very important but at the end of the day you have to keep the lights on.

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#63

Post by smcl »

wtvanhest wrote: post #23

There are 3 major steps to getting a job (IMO). 1st) Resume + story. Search google for 'Harvard Computer Science Resume' or 'Georgia Tech Computer Science resume' and use their format. There are standard formats that are widely used for top jobs. You then need to get ready for behavioral interviews. This involves getting a minimum of 3-5 PAR stories ready and to think hard about all the stuff you have done over 10 ye…

Sorry to be a pain but for #1 could you provide a quick example of these? Googling these appears to return a bunch of results but I can't really see a great deal of consistency.

edit: I found a harvard guide at http://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/files/ocs/files/hes-resume-cover-... but the GA Tech style seems a little more elusive

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#64

Post by jnovek »

If you're going to post on HN that you're in search of a job, you should probably include a way for interested parties to contact you... because I'm an interested party. :-)

We (OwnLocal; http://ownlocal.com) works through newspapers and other local media companies. Your domain knowledge would be deeply valuable to us.

For what it's worth, none of the stuff you're worried about (too "old", wrong tech, no degree, generalist) really worry me as a hiring manager. We have all those things on our team.

If you're interested, pretty please send me a note -- jason@ownlocal.com.

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#65

Post by dplgk »

fixxer wrote: post #44
graham1776 wrote: post #35

The one thing I always tell anyone on the job hunt, which few ever seem to take me up on: Informational Interviews. These are informal "can I take you out to coffee?" talks with people in your industry to see what they are working on, what is happening with them, what is going on in the industry. Every job I have ever gotten is through informal meetings with people I have met through my network (whether its the curre…

(I've had really good luck with LinkedIn.)

Go on ...

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#66

Post by wtvanhest »

smcl wrote: post #63
wtvanhest wrote: post #23

There are 3 major steps to getting a job (IMO). 1st) Resume + story. Search google for 'Harvard Computer Science Resume' or 'Georgia Tech Computer Science resume' and use their format. There are standard formats that are widely used for top jobs. You then need to get ready for behavioral interviews. This involves getting a minimum of 3-5 PAR stories ready and to think hard about all the stuff you have done over 10 ye…

Sorry to be a pain but for #1 could you provide a quick example of these? Googling these appears to return a bunch of results but I can't really see a great deal of consistency. edit: I found a harvard guide at http://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/files/ocs/files/hes-resume-cover-... but the GA Tech style seems a little more elusive

I gave a few examples, but as long as you use one from a really good school you won't have a problem. If you decide to use a template from word, you will have a bad time. The biggest error I have seen people make is to use a multi-page resume for non-research job in the US. In Europe I think multi-page is more standard (please correct me if I am wrong).

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#67

Post by NetStrikeForce »

404error wrote: post #62
NetStrikeForce wrote: post #9

It is time to specialize. You say you're a jack of all trades, but you probably have to spend a bit more time thinking about what are you a master on, because I don't believe you haven't become a master on something after 10 years working in the same place. You might not be an ace with HTML or CSS. Heck, you might not even be a great coder (I suck at coding!), but you've probably learned very valuable lessons about h…

I've ran some ideas past management in the past but working with people who are 20+ years your senior you kind of get overlooked or pushed to the side. Especially in the Newspaper world. For the past 5 years the focus has been on the bottom line and if you have to lay off people to reflect a better number then so be it. It's hard to see this place go down this route when you genuinely believe in the product. Having a…

So you know the industry, you have ideas that you consider to be very valid and now you even have the time. Maybe you can create a product to fill in some gaps they surely must have?

And if the idea doesn't sell, what about some competition? Maybe following a crowd-funded model? I know I'm just throwing random ideas, but hopefully this will spark a light in you :)

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#68

Post by cwisecarver »

My second job was at my local newspaper. Started, I think, when I was 19. I lasted five years. I had html, css, js, and php under my belt at that time too. I was and still am a generalist. I think the current term is Full-Stack Developer though.

You should get more experience with other backend languages. Try Python, Ruby, and something slightly exotic like Rust or Scala or Elixir. If you've been there for ten years you've probably gotten comfortable in your stack and your code. Start reading more code. Push yourself to learn something. Get your github up and churning. Contribute to some OSS projects.

You've got experience with highly dynamic websites. That puts you head and shoulders above people that only have experience building landing pages or small business sites. It's a whole different beast to build something that has to respond to a random bit of content flowing into a page and all that entails. You've worked with some of the most set in their ways people on the planet, journalists at a local newspaper.

I'm 35 now and I've stayed, mostly, in the content space since I started at the paper. That's my niche, rather than focusing on a language or front/backend discipline I focused on content. I've had four jobs since working at the paper and I still remember those days as some of the longest days and most fun I've ever had. I'm now making over three times what I made at the paper when I left too.

You can do this but you're going to have to work for it.

Edit: I don't have a degree either.

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#69

Post by _qbjt »

Send your resume / cover letter to as many companies as possible. Probability can be on your side even when the job market isn't.

Know your worth, but also be open to using your pedigree as a stepping stone to positions outside of your expertise. With 10 years of programming experience you can most likely learn enough Ruby in a short period of time to position yourself as a more compelling candidate than a Ruby dev fresh out of code school.

Consider startups. Smaller engineering teams often rely on interdisciplinary roles due to limited resources. Your role as a "jack of all trades, master of nothing" might actually be an asset to early stage companies.

Most importantly, find a healthy way of dealing with stress. Your family is depending you. This is an inherently stressful role to take but don't let stress derail you. Rather, let it motivate you to open this new chapter of you life. You can do it!

I wish you the best of luck with this situation and future endeavors.

Re: Ask HN: So I'm being let go

#70

Post by cdnsteve »

Every industry is fighting over anyone with a tech background. Having experience in multiple areas is more valuable I'd argue. Someone who can manage online campaigns, throw down some html, js should be able to get into pretty much anywhere.

30 isn't old. You have real experience which grads don't have. Go into everything with a positive and learning attitude and you'll do fine.

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