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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

#51

Post by Bustard »

luisivan wrote: post #5
codegeek wrote: post #3

What about freelancing ? Try and connect with people you know who might be looking for a developer like him. If he knows Python/Django, I am sure there are lot of freelance opportunities. Also ask him to post in the Monthly HN thread of freelancers.

Yeah, that's what he's trying to do, but at least here in Spain both Python and MongoDB are still considered as 'young technologies for startups' that aren't usually seen in the enterprise or in the normal freelance jobs. Anyway, thanks for the tip about the Monthly HN thread - he will definitely post there :)

Then maybe he should focus on learning skills that are marketable toward the enterprise sector?

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

#52

Post by le_doude »

I left Italy because I was looking at a future in which I would have been one of those 5 young devs that got hired instead of someone like your dad.

I am still young and am always relocating to find better projects and conditions, and its been working for me in this past 5 years. But now I know that there is also a lot of companies out there that are willing to hire people from across the globe and let them work remotely.

Those jobs are not easy to find, and are a small minority in the job market, but they are a beacon of hope for really good devs for which relocating is not an option. You (royal you ... which means potentially your dad) will generally get good money but might have to set up your own taxes, insurances and benefits, so it's not as hassle free as just being a normal employee.

Relocation, IMO, is always an option. Just speaking English is enough ... and English is not hard.

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

#53

Post by le_doude »

I left Italy because I was looking at a future in which I would have been one of those 5 young devs that got hired instead of someone like your dad.

I am still young and am always relocating to find better projects and conditions, and its been working for me in this past 5 years. But now I know that there is also a lot of companies out there that are willing to hire people from across the globe and let them work remotely.

Those jobs are not easy to find, and are a small minority in the job market, but they are a beacon of hope for really good devs for which relocating is not an option. You (royal you ... which means potentially your dad) will generally get good money but might have to set up your own taxes, insurances and benefits, so it's not as hassle free as just being a normal employee.

Relocation, IMO, is always an option. Just speaking English is enough ... and English is not hard.

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

#54

Post by Bustard »

luisivan wrote: post #41
Jare wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Maybe he should make it look a bit more professional and advertise his actual skills. It looks a bit too psychadelic as it is now.

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

#55

Post by luisivan »

hardwaresofton wrote: post #48

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 poin…

That's an interesting point. He's been working for some months on his own project, that is an app for managing SMEs' salesforce. He has some experience on the enterprise so he really understands the problem.

The thing is that he is actually 3 steps from being on the curb (I live alone and am economically independent)

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

#56

Post by luisivan »

le_doude wrote: post #52

I left Italy because I was looking at a future in which I would have been one of those 5 young devs that got hired instead of someone like your dad. I am still young and am always relocating to find better projects and conditions, and its been working for me in this past 5 years. But now I know that there is also a lot of companies out there that are willing to hire people from across the globe and let them work remo…

Yeah, these kind of jobs are hard to find. Well, he is actually willing to relocate and he speaks English, so let's hope that works out

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

#57

Post by luisivan »

Mandatum wrote: post #46
luisivan wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I think it was more the fact that he got married and had two child than the pay

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

#58

Post by luisivan »

terramars wrote: post #50

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

I just sent him the link to sign up :)

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

#59

Post by sudhi_xervmon »

codegeek wrote: post #3

What about freelancing ? Try and connect with people you know who might be looking for a developer like him. If he knows Python/Django, I am sure there are lot of freelance opportunities. Also ask him to post in the Monthly HN thread of freelancers.

Hi where is Monthly HN thread of freelancers? Can you please share?

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

#60

Post by luisivan »

jeffreyrogers wrote: post #43
vonklaus wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Not everyone works on open source projects.

Yeap, he runs a free software association but he doesn't usual code on GitHub
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