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Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?

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Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?

#1
I'm a frontend developer in the greater Vancouver, BC area. After becoming burnt out at my last position over a year ago, I've had no success in finding further work and don't have all that much motivation to continue the endless cycle of humouring recruiters and sending resumes out. Not because I don't like software development, more so because of the cost of continued attempts and lack of potentially inspiring outcomes (technical, very time intensive interviews with very few compelling companies worth the effort) that I am qualified for.

Anyhow, I'd like to apply at companies that, for lack of a better description, essentially pay minimum wage and require building basic skill that I may not have developed in software. Like Starbucks, McDonalds, retail. However, computers and software are pretty much all I know and all I have on my resume. I'm reasonably outgoing, well spoken, and have some confidence that I can work with others, but making the backwards transition from my career to a more basic jobby job (no intention of being derogatory here) is surprisingly unclear.

Edit: Part of the intention as well, is to build versatile skills that might allow more job flexibility in the future. For example if I were to travel and work without requiring a skilled worker visa.

Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?

#2
The biggest obstacle you'll face is that depending on how you present yourself a savvy manager will assume that you'll get a "better" job as soon as you can and leave them high and dry.

Besides that the best advice i think is that getting a "blue collar" job is no different then getting most others. It's about who you know and how much shit you're willing to eat. I've done ever from hanging drywall to writing R code. If you're personable and willing to roll up your sleeeves you can usually get something.

Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?

#3
Have you ever tried sales? It should be fairly easy to get a sales job at any retail store near where you live. Spend a year or two getting good at it, then get hired as a technical sales engineer. Sales is a versatile skill and somebody with both sales chops and programming skills is hard to come by.

Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?

#5

The biggest obstacle you'll face is that depending on how you present yourself a savvy manager will assume that you'll get a "better" job as soon as you can and leave them high and dry. Besides that the best advice i think is that getting a "blue collar" job is no different then getting most others. It's about who you know and how much shit you're willing to eat. I've done ever from hanging drywall to writing R code.…

I suggest addressing the leaving for a better job issue head on. One possible tactic is something like "Yes, I probably won't be around forever. But as long as I'm working for you, I'll show up when I'm scheduled to work, on time, sober, and ready to go. I have a car in good conditions / live a ten minute bike ride away / am on the X bus line. When I leave, I'll give you two weeks notice so you have time to pull me off the schedule."

Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?

#7

Have you considered going back to school to get a degree in something else that could land you a better job?

+1 to this. I got bored with IT/software, went back to school, got an aerospace engineering degree, had a very satisfying 4+ years in it, then a software job came my way that was too good to turn down. Quite a commitment of time and money but for me it was all very much worth it.

Re: Ask HN: How did you move from IT/software to something unrelated?

#9
post #3

Have you ever tried sales? It should be fairly easy to get a sales job at any retail store near where you live. Spend a year or two getting good at it, then get hired as a technical sales engineer. Sales is a versatile skill and somebody with both sales chops and programming skills is hard to come by.

I'd add that sales is quite possibly the most universal of skills. You can move anywhere in the world and get a well paying job if you have sales experience. Well, maybe not North Korea, but you get the drift.
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