I would absolutely recommend contracting. Contracting world is full of bs and of profoundly unqualified people still getting paid well. Someone with a track record like yours will clearly stand out there.
Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
71–80 of 189 posts
Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#72Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#73Practice Leetcode for a couple a months. Then apply again to Facebook, Google and similar companies. There is a lot of luck involved when passing those interviews. So to increase your chances, increase your interview skills and increase the number of interviews. Good luck in your search.
But then the interviewer hit me with a topic i didnt cover. wups!
Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#74My situation is somewhat different but there's similarities. Also over 50 (barely), skills are not exactly outdated (Azure data engineering/analytics), but been looking for a job since being laid off early in the pandemic (going on 1.5 years gap on the resume). Took a few months hiatus in 2020 since the job market was pretty much dead and got a few certifications. Just this month got 4 rejections, partly because of b…
Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#75You should contact a technical recruiter. There are I'm sure thousands of software development openings in your area from companies you have never heard of but with salaries that are 60-80% of FAANG.
Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#76> Over the past few years I have been only interviewed once or twice a year by anyone who seemed interested, most notably Google and Facebook, but neither decided I was a worthy hire. At this point it seems impossible to get even a junior developer job! I don't see how you can have a mere two job interviews (that likely have many applicants each) and then arrive at this conclusion. How many jobs have you applied to?…
Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#77Tell us more about what you want to do. There’s a lot of people on HN who hire developers. Do you have anything you want focus on or do you pride yourself on being a generalist? Architect, team lead, or pure development of a system from day to day? And business domains that you’re especially familiar with or interested in? E-commerce, SaaS, aerospace, business systems, data engineering, etc. Give us a little more and…
I’ll second that. We’ve got potential openings for either React/Node or C/SELinux/FPGA work.
also can help in most multimedia projects involving studio equipment, audio sampling, video processing, MIDI software, and old-school graphics.
Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#78Big tech is very much ageist. It goes beyond discrimination during the interview process. Companies like this will take steps to weed older folks out of their company for good, it's awful. What programming languages and skills do you have on your resume?
I didn’t expect so many replies, thanks for the help! Over the years my skills have been spread across a variety of platforms: >>Most types of UIs: text based, old school assembly code, weak in react but strong in iOS >>2D / 3D interfaces and data visualization: 3D simulators and demos for aerospace >>Multimedia / Transmedia : After Effects plugins, music videos, analog studio expertise >>VRML visuals: did lots of li…
Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#79Re: Ask HN: Been writing code for 40 years and can't get hired
#80Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’ll second that. We’ve got potential openings for either React/Node or C/SELinux/FPGA work.
if anyone wants a lead engineer on a X-style project, something that is out in the fringes, a project with legacy code, unusual multimedia/3D projects, ATE (automated test equipment) projects i may be able to help you also can help in most multimedia projects involving studio equipment, audio sampling, video processing, MIDI software, and old-school graphics.