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Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

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Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#1

Post by kpr21 »

Apparently the tech job market is crazy. I started applying 2 weeks ago. Majority of the applications aren't even viewed. So far, I have had only two recruiter calls. Both didn't proceed since they were looking for hands on in particular areas. And I got a few rejection emails too.(Not sure if they are the usual automated Applicant Tracking System generated rejections or someone indeed looked at it). I fear my career in the software field is over. Questions.

1. Can we say the market good only for junior developers? How good/bad is it for the experienced ( 20+ years) individual contributors?

2. Is the job search worth the effort?. Would it be a better idea to learn some skills and start building something on your own?

3. My profile is decent and I work for a reasonably reputed company. But my linkedin profile is empty since I am not comfortable with others viewing my profile. (Mentioned only the company names, start date etc). So I havent had any recruiter reach me directly. Nor did I contact any recruiter. Any general tips on resume/getting noticed ( Without updating linkedin profile)?

PS: I received tons of calls from recruiters for jobs in the service based companies. But I am looking at product based companies only. Also, I do understand that networking/referral will help. But I dont have a good network.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#2

Post by alsoicode »

I have 25 years as a professional developer, but I’ve been writing code in some form or another for almost 40 years.

I’ve been getting multiple emails from recruiters for MONTHS.

I absolutely love my current role, and have no intention of leaving, but I’m betting I could make at least $130 an hour in the current market, which would be more than twice what I make salary-wise.

It’s certainly tempting, but contracting has downsides too. No paid vacation, insurance, etc.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#3

Post by HamburgerEmoji »

I think you already know it and mentioned it, but definitely try to get in somewhere via friends or acquaintances, if possible.

I'm kind of in the same boat. I think it's just a matter of finding some organization where you will be recognized and appreciated for having a lot of experience. Some places simply don't understand that, and will only be looking for whether you have the specific skills required. They may not understand that you've seen tech fads arise, become skilled in them, and then watched them become unfashionable.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#4

Post by chiefalchemist »

It's not how many years, it a matter of how marketable the skills and experiences are. That said, it's also a matter of marketing (read presentation of you). Imagine someone else - all things being relatively - equal to you. But they are better presented. Who gets the call? Like it or not. For better or worse. Recruiters aren't going to buy something they can't sell.

More random-y thoughts:

- Two weeks isn't that long. If you were on a dating app looking for an LTR - and jobs are relationships - would you expect a match in two weeks?

- Not much of LinkedIn profile? I would imagine many recruiters can't be bothered. What about LI activity? What would a fly on the wall say?

- GitLab / GitHub profile and activity?

- Similar to GL / GH, what about side projects? Anything to show?

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#5

Post by jstx1 »

chiefalchemist wrote: post #4

It's not how many years, it a matter of how marketable the skills and experiences are. That said, it's also a matter of marketing (read presentation of you). Imagine someone else - all things being relatively - equal to you. But they are better presented. Who gets the call? Like it or not. For better or worse. Recruiters aren't going to buy something they can't sell. More random-y thoughts: - Two weeks isn't that lon…

Is the market hot or do people with 20 years of experience have to still work on additional signals like a portfolio / github profile / side projects?

Those things seem necessary as a way to signal competence when you're lacking other signals like experience or education.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#6

Post by chiefalchemist »

jstx1 wrote: post #5
chiefalchemist wrote: post #4

It's not how many years, it a matter of how marketable the skills and experiences are. That said, it's also a matter of marketing (read presentation of you). Imagine someone else - all things being relatively - equal to you. But they are better presented. Who gets the call? Like it or not. For better or worse. Recruiters aren't going to buy something they can't sell. More random-y thoughts: - Two weeks isn't that lon…

Is the market hot or do people with 20 years of experience have to still work on additional signals like a portfolio / github profile / side projects? Those things seem necessary as a way to signal competence when you're lacking other signals like experience or education.

20 yrs experience? Nobody cares. That not a benefit. It's a feature. No one cares about features.

Skills X, Y and/or Z?

Ability to A, B and/or C?

These are more important. Whether it 20 yrs, or more, or less. No one cares.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#7

Post by kpr21 »

alsoicode wrote: post #2

I have 25 years as a professional developer, but I’ve been writing code in some form or another for almost 40 years. I’ve been getting multiple emails from recruiters for MONTHS. I absolutely love my current role, and have no intention of leaving, but I’m betting I could make at least $130 an hour in the current market, which would be more than twice what I make salary-wise. It’s certainly tempting, but contracting h…

Good to hear that.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#9

Post by kpr21 »

HamburgerEmoji wrote: post #3

I think you already know it and mentioned it, but definitely try to get in somewhere via friends or acquaintances, if possible. I'm kind of in the same boat. I think it's just a matter of finding some organization where you will be recognized and appreciated for having a lot of experience. Some places simply don't understand that, and will only be looking for whether you have the specific skills required. They may no…

Thanks. You are right. Not working on a particular tech should not be the reason. Fundamentals are more important.

Re: Ask HN: Experienced devs (20+ yrs exp), are you getting interview calls?

#10

Post by kpr21 »

chiefalchemist wrote: post #4

It's not how many years, it a matter of how marketable the skills and experiences are. That said, it's also a matter of marketing (read presentation of you). Imagine someone else - all things being relatively - equal to you. But they are better presented. Who gets the call? Like it or not. For better or worse. Recruiters aren't going to buy something they can't sell. More random-y thoughts: - Two weeks isn't that lon…

Thanks. Yah. 2 weeks is not enough. But I could sense the overall trend. Yes. I need to make my resume marketable. My linkedin activity also is empty. Although, I have done a lot of POC's, none of them are in public places like github etc. Agree with you that skills, quality of work etc matter the most. But that can be proved only after getting an interview call.
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