Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put? • Hacker News Board

Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#1

Post by zanewill9 » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 3:32 PM UTC

I've been passively looking for a new position for a year and have generally been (purposely) rather picky.

Maybe coincidence but 2016 seems like there's been less opportunity. I would guess Yahoo and Twitter (and others) are losing engineers which are hitting the market.

Is this a good time to look or better to keep a "safe" job?

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#2

Post by kohanz » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 3:46 PM UTC

Are you referring to the local SV market or more generally?

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#3

Post by zanewill9 » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 3:47 PM UTC

kohanz wrote: post #2

Are you referring to the local SV market or more generally?

Sorry - good point.

My question is SV-centric, but broader viewpoints would be useful as well.

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#4

Post by sharemywin » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 3:49 PM UTC

I think it's important to stay "up to date" on technology. If you have an opportunity to work on something fun and interesting I would take the leap. With that said, I agree the market is probably tougher. I talking general market.

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#5

Post by JSeymourATL » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 4:10 PM UTC

> Is this a good time to look or better to keep a "safe" job?

No such animal as a "safe job", even the postal service is eliminating people.

As you evaluate a prospective employer-- consider their business model and markets they serve. Are they expanding? Does the senior leadership have experience and stability?

Relative to Yahoo/Twitter engineers-- some of those guys are getting fat severance packages and plan to chill on the beach for the next 18 months. Don't worry about them. Move when the right opportunity lines up for you.

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#6

Post by twunde » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 4:25 PM UTC

I work in the NY area and engineering positions are still plentiful. I think what you're seeing in the SV market is in part a response to the venture capital crunch. That said, I wouldn't worry too much about finding a "safe" job. The only thing worth worrying about is whether the company you're joining is going to be impacted by how difficult it is to get venture capital. I don't see any companies or money completely pulling out ala 2000, but it has become more difficult to get vc money if you are a border-line success

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#7

Post by allsystemsgo » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 4:52 PM UTC

Meh. Developers will always be in demand. Yes, unicorn startups like "Yo" might have a bad time but, aside from that, I'd feel safe in continuing to be a bit picky.

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#8

Post by cylinder » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 4:53 PM UTC

You should have shared more about your current rule, considering your question directly asks whether you should keep your current role.

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#9

Post by felipellrocha » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 5:46 PM UTC

The global economy has been showing signs it's slowing down for almost a year now: http://monetarywatch.com/2016/02/22-signs-that-the-global-ec...

It could very well be affecting the tech market.

Re: Ask HN: Usually engineering jobs are plentiful – is this a time to stay put?

#10

Post by BayAreaPyGuy » Mon, Feb 08, 2016, 5:55 PM UTC

Not OP, but I'm wondering much the same thing... specifically is it a good time to look if one is underpaid?