Local/state government tech work. Pay is lower, job security higher.
Good idea!!
Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
11–20 of 36 posts
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#12Contribute substantially to large open source projects with active communities.
This is good and actionable. I work for Red Hat, so I actually love this
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#13> it's pretty bleak right now.
My brother in $DEITY, it’s been bleak since 2023 at the very least. Two years later it’s no longer just a phase.
Forget underrated, the only thing that works is referrals and word of mouth. As you’re already in the field, your direct contacts are her best option.
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#14idk I just spammed my resume everywhere and did a bunch of leetcode and that was enough, apply to 5 different roles every day and you'll eventually get something
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#15Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#16Doing open source contributions. It shows you have actual experience and interest.
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#17Find a small company, there are lots of little software companies that work in niche areas. They may not pay as much up front but you get your foot in the door and at small organizations you can touch everything. Don’t be afraid to look at weird industries you might not associate with tech.
Agreed, I got into full-stack development by working at startups first.
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#18> it's pretty bleak right now. My brother in $DEITY, it’s been bleak since 2023 at the very least. Two years later it’s no longer just a phase. Forget underrated, the only thing that works is referrals and word of mouth. As you’re already in the field, your direct contacts are her best option.
what is $DEITY?
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#19The best "underrated" way is to lowball yourself. Apply to as many places as possible, including non-tech companies. When asked, give a starting salary that's at the bottom of the range for the position or even slightly under (use indeed, glassdoor, levels, etc for the range).
Because she's a she, I strongly recommend looking at large non-tech companies that promote equality. There's probably some equality index or ESG style list to help identify them. I know they exost necaude my company gives a strong preference to female candidates, even internally for promotions and stuff. I can't give my company name but I'm sure there are others out there.
Re: Ask HN: Best underrated way to get a job in tech during a hiring slowdown?
#20idk I just spammed my resume everywhere and did a bunch of leetcode and that was enough, apply to 5 different roles every day and you'll eventually get something
It is a numbers game, but I would apply to at least 10 per day. It might take thousands of applications and months of applying.