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Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

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Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#41

Post by luisivan »

Jare wrote: post #26
luisivan wrote: post #8

BTW I forgot to add it on the post, but this is his LinkedIn profile just in case https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=75046358

I visited that link but only see a minimal box with very little info: Software Architect & Developer Madrid Area, SpainInformation Technology and Services Current Proyecto Asturix, Asturlibre Previous MeetPays, Yestilo, UPTA España Education 10Gen May want to correct that, and/or set up his own microsite as a first link of reference (GitHub pages is convenient if he is already using Github). General situation in Spai…

He's not currently using GitHub, but this is his personal webpage: http://cuende.net

Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#42

Post by informatimago »

jwaldrip wrote: post #4

I would suggest he start contributing to open source. Write a fea utility libraries or even a few general purpose applications. Being able to point people to a github with work to show off some skills can be integral to how employers view your technical aptitude.

I'm all in favor of free(dom) software, but you still have to feed your family, and until farmers (1% of the population) and transporter (another few percentage of the population) can work and deliver food for $free, us programmers won't be able to provide (all) our software for $free either. Not counting the taxes that also have to be paid.

For this reason, I'm in favor of the universal revenue, lifetime income, citizen income, whatever you call it.

Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#43

Post by jeffreyrogers »

vonklaus wrote: post #13
luisivan wrote: post #8

BTW I forgot to add it on the post, but this is his LinkedIn profile just in case https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=75046358

Maybe include his github/bitbucket profile instead of linked in.

Not everyone works on open source projects.

Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#45

Post by nlh »

atlantic wrote: post #2

Your father should try to find development work online. Nobody cares about your age, or even your qualifications. It's all about your track record and your capacity to get things done. It takes a while to get your first few gigs, but once you build up a small client base, work goes smoothly.

Have any good resources to suggest? (aside from oDesk, where I sense it's become a race to the bottom price-wise.)

Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#46

Post by Mandatum »

luisivan wrote: post #27
Mandatum wrote: post #20

Unfortunately if he can't get a job that pays what he's asking for based on experience, he'll need to lower his rate. Outside of getting into a more "senior" orientated industry as joshcrowder has suggested, banking, finance, etc. However Xerox itself is a very senior-orientated company, at least here in New Zealand. Has he reached out to his network to see if there are any positions going where he'll get a palm grea…

That was really funny because he almost went to work to Xerox New Zealand when he was an executive. He has been trying to contact people from his network, but they have all changed from company, role and even industry (most of his contacts are from a couple decades ago)

Haha, well the work environment at Xerox here in New Zealand is actually really good. Too bad he didn't, I've met with a lot of their senior engineers (also at Konica) and they're extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

Unfortunately the pay would likely be why he turned it down.

Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#47

Post by luisivan »

_dps wrote: post #40

I may be able to help. As a fellow Southern European (living in California), I make it a point to try to help people from that region with employment where I can. I employ people (fully remotely) all over the world, and I help several other companies do the same (I assume basic professional/IT English). I'm not actively hiring right now, but I know a few companies who are. My email is in my profile. Best of luck rega…

He just emailed you, thanks anyway :)

Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#48

Post by hardwaresofton »

Does he have an up-to-date portfolio on what he's been working on? how are his side projects?

I think that's one of the most effective ways to convince someone that you haven't been resting on your laurels/are still innovating.

Also, he could take the chance (assuming you guys are not 3 steps from being on the curb) to try and bootstrap a small startup -- 56 years is a ton of experience, he has to know some pain points in some markets/communities that he can fix (maybe his own?) and charge people money for.

Re: Ask HN: My 56-year-old father is a developer having a tough time finding a job

#50

Post by terramars »

not sure how helpful this will be since we won't have a ton of activity at first, but Hired is about to launch in the UK. we'll be taking candidates all over Europe although we'll only have a London office until sometime next year. if he's interested in moving up there, it's worth a shot. his skillset sounds relevant. http://join.hired.com/x/WF25Mp
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