Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

Post by ido » Thu, Oct 18, 2018, 9:59 AM UTC

lj3 wrote: post #247

88e282102ae2e5b wrote: post #67

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Also, consider this from the manager's perspective. They have to ask themselves: if this person has 35 years of experience, they must have a substantial network, so why aren't they just tapping that resource? Not a single person from this applicant's past wants to give them an interview?

Do you know many developers who hang out with management? Most of the engineers I've worked with over my career have not transitioned into management and have no sway as far as the interview process goes.

Post by pattle » Thu, Oct 18, 2018, 11:31 AM UTC

vanadium wrote: post #188

newtothebay wrote: post #118

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As a young professional who's realized the importance of maintaining a network, I'd love to learn how you stay in touch with your former co-workers. Do you reach out for weekend lunch dates just to chat? Are people open to that (given work, hobbies, kids, etc.)? I'm having a hard time coming with "excuses" and serendipity to stay in touch with people I'm no longer working with.

I have a personal Slack instance of all the people I've worked with and/or managed--and have earned my trust--over the past 7-8 years. We're close-knit and look out for one another in the Chicago market. We've landed each other new gigs, swarmed to help when someone's in need, etc. That and we're always bouncing news, advice, and helping one another in said Slack instance. Safety in numbers.

Post by nnash » Thu, Oct 18, 2018, 2:22 PM UTC

tootahe45 wrote: post #121

nnash wrote: post #41

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Try being a minority, and consistently get rejected because you aren't a good "culture fit" on an all white team. edit: I didn't mean to sound like I was trivializing your experience. The "culture fit" is really nasty and sucks for everyone who isn't "the norm".

My experience in tech is that companies will go above and beyond to hire minorities including women, big companies will sometimes lower requirements to get more of these candidates in. You have to be wary though particularly with startups who talk a lot about culture, usually it translates to 'you should be working on our product in your spare time'.

Post by tkxxx7 » Thu, Oct 18, 2018, 2:46 PM UTC

my_usernam3 wrote: post #145

rrauenza wrote: post #94

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I like working at VMware. It has a good work/life balance, age distribution seems well distributed, and only a couple hackathons a year -- totally optional.

> only a couple hackathons a year Over one hackathon a year sounds like overkill to me, and I've never heard of a company with over two of them (not saying they don't exist of course)

Post by jbms » Thu, Oct 18, 2018, 3:25 PM UTC