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Looking for a Job Is Tough

(blog.kaplich.me)
184 points skaplich | 3 comments | 14 Nov 24 01:15 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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ChrisMarshallNY ◴[14 Nov 24 02:43 UTC] No.42132624[source]▶
Good luck, Sergey.

In my case, the process became so awful, humiliating, and hostile, I just gave up, and retired, ten years before I had planned. I’m very fortunate, that I could afford it. I now develop software for free, for outfits that can’t afford people like me.

It’s tough, but looking for work after 50, especially when pivoting from management, back to IC, is unbearable. My heart goes out to those without the means to walk away. I think some companies missed out, but I am under no illusion that I’m missed. I doubt they had any regrets in passing me up.

In my case, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I left a lot of money on the table, but I have been happier than I ever dreamed, while working twice as hard as I ever did, when I was getting paid for it.

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jarsin ◴[14 Nov 24 03:14 UTC] No.42132788[source]▶
Devs in there 40's and 50's are probably the most valuable devs on earth. We grew up with computers and had to adapt to our rapidly changing industry.

I suspect we will see startup founders trending older if it isn't already happening. Companies stuck in the old way of thinking that older is slower will probably be disrupted in the next recession.

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drillsteps5 ◴[14 Nov 24 05:41 UTC] No.42133430[source]▶
> Devs in there 40's and 50's are probably the most valuable devs on earth.

Over 50 seeker here (25+ years experience, first IC then mgmt). All of hiring managers I've dealt with this time around are at least 10 years my junior, and they disagree with you. They view me as a risk (higher compensation, less "hungry", higher "flight risk") and prefer people their age or younger. Don't call it ageism though, that's just how the world works :(

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1. nickd2001 ◴[14 Nov 24 11:45 UTC] No.42135278[source]▶
As someone similar age, if I was job-seeking like you, then if a younger potential boss gave these vibes, I'd be up-front. Seems to me salary can't increase for ever. Sure, more experience may lead to better design decisions which save employers a fortune. However, it's kind of opaque. "Best devs on earth" may be true, but doesn't mean its obvious to management. Maybe they won't pay a higher salary immediately than to a 30-yr-old, but they'll give you a reward later if they can see how much you helped them. Flight risk? Ask 'em about it, how can you ease that fear - generally that comes down to career history - if you look like a job-hopper that can be a problem but its not specifically age-related, right? Less hungry? Well again not sure that's age-related. If they're a sweatshop I suppose they might feel they can push younger ones around more, but who wants to work there anyway? Good luck :)
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2. ChrisMarshallNY ◴[14 Nov 24 11:53 UTC] No.42135340[source]▶
From what I can see, kids out of college, are being paid more than I ever made, at the peak of my career (and they seem to have less to show for it).

Speaking only for myself, I would have been fine, taking a lower salary, if the work (and work environment) were interesting to me.

I also would not have been interested in flitting around, looking for pay bumps. I was already set.

In fact, I suspect that someone like me (and I am sure there are many others, much like me, and likely, far more qualified), could be an absolute Godsend to a startup.

3. bluefirebrand ◴[14 Nov 24 15:36 UTC] No.42137221[source]▶
> Maybe they won't pay a higher salary immediately than to a 30-yr-old, but they'll give you a reward later if they can see how much you helped them

I don't think most companies behave this way. Maybe at one point they did, but I find the reward for doing great work is "That's why we hired you"

Yeah maybe you get a yearly raise and a bonus but it never is big enough to make up for taking a lower salary