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Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

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Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#81

Post by silvercymbals »

nzeid wrote: post #71

Gonna pile on: you really really really have to go all in on coding exercises. These infuriating and stupid coding assessments are just that. But you absolutely will make it past that hurdle. And if you're gunning for senior positions, you'll have to suffer the system designs as well. Keep practicing and don't let a single day slip by without training. If you need a change of pace, code something on the side that's g…

I've actually never really had issues passive system design rounds. I had to get through those to get to both on-sites I mentioned. It's partially why I started applying to solutions eng roles.

Fortunately I have some vaguely profitable side projects that keep me busy - trying to stay sharp with those.

Aside from that and leetcode what would you recommend I do to practice?

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#82

Post by silvercymbals »

happytoexplain wrote: post #74
aaronrobinson wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reply makes you sound like you’re up your own arse.

What? It's an utterly straight-forward summary of their work experience and a factual statement about salaries offered as a counter-example to the parent. There's is no (obvious) hubris in it.

[flagged]

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#83

Post by silvercymbals »

rockemsockem wrote: post #77
silvercymbals wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These were real-world type problems etc. Maybe I just use cursor too much and I've forgotten the short-hand they were looking for. Prior I never had to do leetcode screens for interviews because of my network - don't really regret not burning tons of hours grinding leetcode. My best guess is they thought my skills weren't advanced enough for my age or found it weird I was bald.

IMO it's always been a red flag if a company doesn't do coding screens, even if someone at the company says they're good. There's just too many awful programmers out there to be willing to move forward with a candidate on word of mouth alone. It really sounds like you just need to brush up on your interviewing skills, maybe some leetcode practice, maybe you just need someone to stare at you while you solve problems t…

Couldn't agree more - I'd even be open to an unpaid contract period before an offer goes fulltime.

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#84

Post by silvercymbals »

a_conservative wrote: post #76

Don't worry about the money too much. You're trying to solve multiple equations at the same time. Focus on getting your foot in the door somewhere in a job you like. It would have been great if you could have picked up 150k/year job as easily now as in the past, but the market has turned south. It is easier to get a job when you have one already. You don't have to solve all the problems at once.

I've run out of options in my network and at this point I just need to make at least $70k before I have to resort to working at a UPS store or something that will cause my skills to further deteriorate.

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#85

Post by dangus »

1. Four months looking for an job isn’t a long time in today’s job market. You aren’t in giving up or changing careers territory yet.

2. Focus on making your job acquisition process a full time job and treat it as a different skill set entirely. For example, applying for jobs doesn’t cut it in today’s market. You need to be reaching out to real live people with messages that offer value. Keep bothering them if they don’t answer, on average it takes 8 contacts to get a response from a cold contact.

2. If you can’t pass tech screens, study tech screens. Put the work in. There’s no excuse for you not passing them.

3. Consider a different role than software engineering. Since you’re a founder, and you’ve started companies, maybe you are a better fit for something else.

4. Expand your reach outside of the Bay Area tech industry. Everyone has software engineers. Look at other industries that aren’t explicitly tech companies. Healthcare comes to mind.

5. Don’t get a law degree. You want to work fewer hours, not more.

6. Get out of the Bay Area. Software engineers don’t work 50 hour weeks in the Midwest. California work culture is toxic, and you’ll get your own house for the price of a VCR in the Midwest.

7. Reset your salary expectations (see also #6). The median income of the USA is so much lower than $150k.

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#86

Post by neilv »

jinushaun wrote: post #20

I’m in the same boat, but fortunately have a job right now. I’m not sure what I’ll do after this current one. Seems like the interview pipeline is geared towards new grads and junior engineers and penalize senior and staff. At what point do I stop having to do these silly coding interviews?! At what point does my resume and 20 yrs of experience speak for itself? So called senior/staff interview loops are a joke with…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#87

Post by silvercymbals »

rockemsockem wrote: post #78
silvercymbals wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I built a bespoke IOT stack that currently runs over 10k devices and a full production line interface / deployment for a factory we used in china. I'm not going to define what "senior engineer" is, but this was done largely solo with engineers I managed to maintain it.

Sounds impressive enough to probably get a senior role somewhere. Maybe you aren't selling yourself well in your resume?

hard to say - just trying to figure it out

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#88

Post by silvercymbals »

neilv wrote: post #86
jinushaun wrote: post #20

I’m in the same boat, but fortunately have a job right now. I’m not sure what I’ll do after this current one. Seems like the interview pipeline is geared towards new grads and junior engineers and penalize senior and staff. At what point do I stop having to do these silly coding interviews?! At what point does my resume and 20 yrs of experience speak for itself? So called senior/staff interview loops are a joke with…

[deleted]

this has been precisely my experience

frankly, if an offer presented itself for $80k a year I'd take it (it's embarrassing but that's just where I am at the moment)

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#89

Post by silvercymbals »

dangus wrote: post #85

1. Four months looking for an job isn’t a long time in today’s job market. You aren’t in giving up or changing careers territory yet. 2. Focus on making your job acquisition process a full time job and treat it as a different skill set entirely. For example, applying for jobs doesn’t cut it in today’s market. You need to be reaching out to real live people with messages that offer value. Keep bothering them if they d…

Thanks for your thoughts - but I'm not going to pat myself on the back trying to make the US median income. To be clear, I'd accept anything over $70k at this point.

Re: Ask HN: Can't get hired – what's next?

#90

Post by silvercymbals »

places2b wrote: post #79

in the bay, same position. i found a part time job at a struggling startup for the time being (my salary is under $40/hr). but it feels like my personal life is on hold til I find something more permanent. hope you figure it out

Hope things get better! Thanks for your thoughts :)
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