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Other than time spent programming on platform X, I'm at a loss as to what values I'd bring. Would I hire myself, based on my job history? Probably not. I'm hard

Other than time spent programming on platform X, I'm at a loss as to what values I'd bring. Would I hire myself, based on my job history? Probably not. I'm hardly going to impress anyone with such an attitude! Any suggestions on alternate roles to look for? I'd worry that just because it's a software organization, it doesn't mean I wouldn't be filling their own version of cog in a cost-center.

jrumbut 9y ago
I guess this varies by location, but on average there are so many more openings than there are developers that it shouldn't be at all impossible to find a company willing to take a chance on you, especially if you are willing to either work very hard or take a slightly under market value paycheck (for the very first job). So time spent using X is great, but just saying "I can learn" and giving an example of how you're able to learn is often enough. Then just look at X enough that you know the gist of it, have a small little sample project in your github account, and you'll be good enough that someone will hire you.
- cookiecaper 9y ago
  Yeah, pay grade is really where it gets sticky. If you have basic skills you can find an entry level gig easily... as long as you're willing to take a market-level salary for that role. A lot of people who've spent years building a career in a dead-end sector will have salaries substantially higher than that, and that makes it difficult to jump. These people should focus on improving their credit, cutting expenses, and building up savings so that they can take the salary hit that will get their careers on a better track for the ~20 years until they're eligible for retirement. Alternatively, these people can go in through a social backdoor. Befriend a powerful person at a company you'd like to work at and demonstrate why he needs you. If he has authority to set salaries, he will likely do everything possible to accommodate your higher-than-market salary, even if he can't get you 100% of the way there. But beware: overpaying an employee is the best way for a company to trap him/her. Do everything possible to not become dependent on a rate you can't easily command somewhere else.

jrumbut 9y ago

I guess this varies by location, but on average there are so many more openings than there are developers that it shouldn't be at all impossible to find a company willing to take a chance on you, especially if you are willing to either work very hard or take a slightly under market value paycheck (for the very first job). So time spent using X is great, but just saying "I can learn" and giving an example of how you're able to learn is often enough. Then just look at X enough that you know the gist of it, have a small little sample project in your github account, and you'll be good enough that someone will hire you.

cookiecaper 9y ago
Yeah, pay grade is really where it gets sticky. If you have basic skills you can find an entry level gig easily... as long as you're willing to take a market-level salary for that role. A lot of people who've spent years building a career in a dead-end sector will have salaries substantially higher than that, and that makes it difficult to jump. These people should focus on improving their credit, cutting expenses, and building up savings so that they can take the salary hit that will get their careers on a better track for the ~20 years until they're eligible for retirement. Alternatively, these people can go in through a social backdoor. Befriend a powerful person at a company you'd like to work at and demonstrate why he needs you. If he has authority to set salaries, he will likely do everything possible to accommodate your higher-than-market salary, even if he can't get you 100% of the way there. But beware: overpaying an employee is the best way for a company to trap him/her. Do everything possible to not become dependent on a rate you can't easily command somewhere else.