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Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

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Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#111

Post by nordicengineer »

clusterhacks wrote: post #110

I think your experience is much more common that many people here admit (or maybe know) and you should not feel "unlucky." It may even be most normal outcome outside of Silicon Valley or FAANG. In my area (middle eastern United States), once you hit the local salary average for software engineers, opportunities to take the next step up seem extremely rare. There is a never-ending set of jobs for people with 0-3 years…

I can totally relate to your take. I've also considered a change out of IT into the educational sector. Problem is that if you'd want that, you'd have to put in quite a lot of years of formal education (I would call it certification). I think you need to set aside almost 2 years to become even a kindergarten educator. So forget the low pay once you become one, consider having a family on hold for 2 years.

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#112

Post by 15kingben »

aeortiz wrote: post #94
bellyfullofbac wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have the same thought as grandparent commenter, and your last paragraph isn't making my perception any better. IMO, go to a career coach, or psychiatrist, and get a neutral perspective of whether they see you as having a difficult personality. I've read that most people decide on hiring on the idea of whether they'd want to have a beer with that person. Yeah it's not fair, but well, they're paying for those beers (…

This strikes a chord because I struggle with social anxiety...I wouldn't want to go out for a beer with any coworker, only with friends I've vetted over months/years. I hope I am in any other way capable of being a good engineer. Should I not be hired because of it?

I think "wanting to go for a beer" is a pretty bad metric for many reasons, not the least of which is that I don't like drinking beer. A better metric might be: "If I need help would I regret asking this person?" or "If I had a disagreement would it be an overall positive experience?" I have worked with people who excel technically but that skill is largely offset by the negative effect they have on social interactions.

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#113

Post by kwertyoowiyop »

nordicengineer wrote: post #70
dusted wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A thoughtful reply, thank you. I'm not talking about necessarily getting a dream job, or even a good job through your network, especially if you're aiming high, but then rules are different then, you can't both be "perpetually rained-upon unlucky never getting a break unlucky dev" and be "well, I could get _THOSE_ jobs, but I'm so unlucky because I can't land absolute top-tier ones even though I definitely feel like…

Would you say this math is reasonable? - 3 companies/year (3y on average at a company) - 2 teams/company (1.5y on average in a team) - max 10 members/team - add a 5x factor meaning you will BOND!!! (closely enough to dream of working again with you) with 50 other people outside of your team, which is crazy if you ask me, but I'm playing along 3x2x60 = 360 people. That's your entire network in 10 years, pure acquainta…

You won’t short-circuit the process but you’ll probably get a leg up. A colleague’s recommendation is another piece of data for the folks involved in the hiring process, and maybe it’ll tip the scales.

Your colleague may also let you know of upcoming jobs, or steer you towards a particular job that you’d be a great fit for.

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#114

Post by [deleted] »

gerbilly wrote: post #76

I'm not going to tell you to 'learn your place' like other commenters, or even suggest you change your attitude. Employment implies a power gradient between you and the employer. The thing that sucks is that income is tied to employment for most of us, and it's OK to express the fact that this sucks. How do we go beyond this? This is a problem I've found difficult to resolve myself. For people who are creative, and g…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#115

Post by kwertyoowiyop »

plutonorm wrote: post #34
dusted wrote: post #2

I think I've read a few posts on this type on HN, and it seems to me like they are similar in a few ways, there might not be anything wrong with that, but I am still somewhat inclined to believe these things are why the job hunt is not going well for them. Almost always asking for "meaningful" jobs. What even is that? I'll challenge the notion and call it "An inability to find meaning in the available work." Feeling…

He sounds like a person high in creativity trying to get along with standard developers who, by and large, are not creative people. Creativity is a one of the big 5 character traits and pretty immutable. If you are highly creative you #need# new experiences, it's not just a preference, it's necessary for your psychological well being. Moving into and working with companies dominated by non creative types, who prefer…

This seems like good advice. Go to a small company (or team) where architecture is being created, not a large one where it’s being maintained.

Of course the other side of this is that you will HAVE to write a lot of code. Just be prepared for that responsibility.

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#116

Post by nickd2001 »

To get paid, you need to do something that others find useful, right? Isn't that pretty much it in a nutshell ? ;) Identify the problem they're trying to solve, demonstrate capability of doing it. Bingo. An offer will come. Or not due to internal politics or whatever, in which case forget it apply elsewhere. If their hiring process is broken, you can't pass IQ, Myers Briggs or other test, then maybe try to call them and explain politely how you can actually do that job well nevertheless, show your github etc. They won't ultimately turn down someone they know is useful and friendly, right? If a company's hiring process is s*show, but once you get in its fine, then, during the process if you're unfailingly polite and try to make it work, the people doing hiring, who know very well its a s*show, may notice your valiant attempts and give extra points for being pragmatic and trying to fit in. I'm sure in my experience , there's been times when interview process didn't go as planned, people unprepared, didn't read c.v, interviewed me fro wrong job, forgot the time/didn't show up, had to reschedule at last minute, but that's actually an opportunity to show you're laid-back, easy to work with and unfazed by stuff going awry, IMHO, which makes you stand out as good candidate. My (hopefully helpful) 2p anyway. :)

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#118

Post by edimoldovan »

I have done many interviews before with engineers, I always moved someone forward in the process based on the potential, on problem solving skills. I'm not really interested if they know a certain stack or not, that can be easily picked up in a good team with some great mentorship.

You are presenting interesting points. I also live in Scandinavia though not too active in interviews yet. Will be though, on the interviewing side. In case you are in Stockholm, wanna grab a coffee? I'd be happy to know more about what you are looking for.

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only “unlucky” software engineer?

#119

Post by conro1108 »

yitchelle wrote: post #102
giantg2 wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually, BLS says about $110k is the US median dev salary.

That figure must be for a particular niche, ie Software engineering based around SF.

No, it isn't: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/...
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