So I’ve been out of work for over a year now. I’m a software engineer with 20 years experience in Java, I have experience in over a dozen other languages, I’ve worked for companies of around 30 employees as well as big multinationals.
Over the last year, I’ve applied for literally hundreds of jobs, and I’ve gotten one interview, got all the way to the final stage of the process but missed out to someone with more experience of that specific framework they wanted. I was told that they really liked me, that my code was good even though I was learning that framework while doing the code test, and that I would integrate with the team very well, but they needed someone with more experience with the framework they use. They did say that if another position opened up this year that they’d get in touch.
So my question is, what the fuck do I do now? I’m still applying for every programming position that comes up on the job boards, I’m emailing recruiters to try to get my foot in the door, I’m teaching myself different frameworks and languages and building small demo apps to show what I can do, but I’m getting nowhere.
Five years ago, I had absolutely no issue getting a job. I’d literally have several job offers within a month of looking. Now there’s nothing. For context, I’m in the UK.
So what are my options. What can I do to get work as a programmer in today’s market? What else is there for me to do? How would I get started freelance if I’ve never done that before, and is that even a viable option? Are other people experiencing the same at the moment?
Please help, I’m getting desperate.
Hey, I was fired last July and I went through the same process, I actually asked a similar question on Lemmy and the feedback I received helped a tonne in landing more interviews.
Here are the steps I believe helped me:
- Make sure your CV is machine parseable, search for open resume, upload your cv see what it detects. Ideally, generate your CV using that tool.
- Create your own portfolio website, here is mine for reference https://souperk.gr/ (I have a public repository, feel free to copy if CSS isn’t your strong suite)
- Check that toggle on LinkedIn to signify you are actively searching atm (don’t remember how, but you should see a ribbon on your avater if it’s active)
For me, landing more interviews was the hard part. Once I got a few interviews going, landing an offer was easy.
Thanks very much for your advice. I’ve reworked my CV using Open Resume and updated it on all the job boards I’ve been using, hopefully that gets me further.
I’m also continuing to update my portfolio website and building out apps in different languages and frameworks to demonstrate my skills.
It just looks like the job market sucks at the mo and I just need to keep trudging through.
Thanks again.
I’m not the OP, but just wanted to say that you’re a legend… this is a really helpful response.
Damn I had no idea even people as experienced as you were having a tough time. I’m a new grad and I spent two years searching for an internship and found nothing. I got two interviews at one company but they chose someone else. I’m making projects (currently teaching myself spring boot rn) and I’ve had a professional look over my resume and still nothing. Shit sucks right now :(
I was laid off last summer. I decided to try my hand at the entrepreneureal path. I’ve gotten really sick on working of projects that are clearly DOA but management just can’t let go of them for one reason or another… Until they finally do and proceed fuck up my plans in the process.
There are tons of legitimate business problems that could be fixed with software but the big guys typically prefer to focus on speculative gambles rather than those.
I got the PoC done and I’m probably a month away from having a marketable service. I realize there’s a high probability of failure but I won’t succeed if I don’t try.
I left my last two jobs due to those DOA projects.
I do more data stuff than programming, but management is the same.
management is the same.
Always has been.
Feel like DMing a bit? I’m in a similar boat, but not as far along. I’ve got what I believe is a viable idea with a niche but common market, I’m largely familiar with the tech involved (having built something similar before), and even the costs. Currently working on a POC before trying to conduct actual market research interviews (I realize most folks consider that backwards and are probably right).
Sure. I’m not sure how much my advice is worth but I’m happy to offer it if it will help you out in any way.
Look for fully remote jobs outside the UK
Start learning other languages to add to your skillset
6 years now. 6. Years.
I’m in the US, and I had (unwisely) accepted promotions later in my career and was middle management when The Purge came. So, don’t be discouraged; our situations are very different. I’ve got white-middle-aged-middle-management-male working against me.
But I do have sone advice: do not stay inactive. Volunteer. Take whatever short h term contract work you can get, even if it doesn’t pay great. Having something to fill in the time on your CV is invaluable. I didn’t do that; I am, at my age, reasonably well off and was being picky, looking and applying only for jobs I really wanted, and it was a mistake. When I finally gave that up and stated being less selective, I found that even applying for “lower” roles wasn’t working.
Don’t be inactive. Even volunteer work gives you the opportunity to meet people and make connections, and it’s something on your resume - not just a long gap. It’s easier to explain and more palatable to employers when they ask, “so, what have you been doing for the past X years?”
Good luck.
Man, nothing we can do about it but I think IT hiring is so fucked right now. I have worked with so many people and on so much code that has no place in a development shop.
I always blow hacker rank stuff but honestly that shit isn’t even that important to the job. You need maybe one person on a team who is good with algorithms and can reverse binary trees and bullshit.
And every time I get a job I’m coding circles around the rest of my team. To the point where the most painfully part is being unable to write it all myself or just sit everyone down and teach them. But I was out of work for 5 months last year and I’m getting near 30 years of experience.
To be fair, could be selection bias and big fish in a small pond. If I can’t land jobs with great companies I’m not comparing myself to the best of the best.
Anyway, the system isn’t designed to help folks like us succeed. I’d like to see some kind of IT workers union that functions as peer mentoring, and certification that once someone learns an environment they are effective. Based on what I’ve seen, there is a lot of room for something like that because education and certifications aren’t getting it done.
OTOH dealing with seniority over aptitude and skill is a big detriment of unions in my observation. I don’t know, I wouldn’t mind seeing someone give it a try.
As for advice, networking. As far as I can tell, every job mostly comes down to looking a manager in the eyes, shaking his hand, and convincing him you’re someone who can make things happen. And sending out CVs is the most circuitous and fraught route to getting that ten minutes.
Recruiters get me almost all of my jobs. But I also have a decent network of folks I’ve impressed along the way, it’s just that few of them are in hiring positions. They have recommended me to their managers for positions before.
Take a look at Capgemini, idk how active they are in the UK but in Belgium/Netherlands they’re usually always hiring
I’ve been in a similar situation (only mine was that I’d chosen to go my own route for six years or so and the employment gap was the primary issue). I just wanted to encourage you not to give up. @[email protected] already gave great advice, so I have nothing more to offer. Keep trying. You’ll get there. Good luck!
Maybe this isn’t a thing in the UK but look into a contracting/staffing company. It won’t be high quality work but it’s work and they won’t waste your time if they think you’re unhireable.
