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I eventually got hired by a good company that really needed a Ruby developer for a short term contract. From what I can tell, so far they seem very happy with m

I eventually got hired by a good company that really needed a Ruby developer for a short term contract. From what I can tell, so far they seem very happy with my depth of experience and ability to take charge. I am very full-stack, so all they have to do is tell me what they want, and I'll make it happen. I enjoy it, because I like building things. But because it's short term, I have to find time to continue studying so that when I get back on the market, I can pass those whiteboard interviews. It's very challenging to do this when I have a full-time job and a family. I never thought I'd be here at this point in my life/career. It's depressing. But as they say, you gotta do what you gotta do.

toomuchtodo 9y ago
Have you thought about moving into architecture? Your posts could be my friend; 40s, 20+ years in tech from junior positions up to CIO. He failed a few whiteboard interviews for dev positions and called me asked for help getting him a gig. I took his resume, tailored it to highlight his high level work, stripped out dev grunt work references, and started targeted applying as him to several companies. It worked.
- vinhboy 9y ago
  Thought about this extensively. But I feel the imposter syndrome creep up every time I go this route. My mistake is that I spent too much of my career working for tiny startups with 1 or 2 engineers, doing grunt work. I never got the chance to lead big projects and prepare myself to be competitive in that bracket. I have friends who are in that space, or higher (CTO, etc...). Although I hold my own with them in terms of technical knowledge, they all have backgrounds leading teams and working for big companies. I made a mistake in trying to chase the startup dream.
  - toomuchtodo 9y ago
    > But I feel the imposter syndrome creep up every time I go this route. Fake it until you make it. > I made a mistake in trying to chase the startup dream. Its only a mistake if you didn't learn from it. Do not feel defeated. You seem to have the necessary skills and knowledge. You can do this. Sell yourself. Source of experience: 15 years of tech experience
notheguyouthink 9y ago
I definitely know what you feel like. I'm in a very similar position. ~4 years at my previous company where I worked my way into a Developer position, and then recently left to work with a friend in another company. I like the company I'm at now and although it's full-time with no end of employment in sight, I know eventually I'll have to go through the normal process. I've worked at 2 companies now as a developer at varying positions of development, and I don't feel qualified to pass a single interview. Luckily I have time to prepare, but I really need to get that established. Probably take the time to do a proper CS course to boot. Keep your head up, and thanks your reply :)
sngz 9y ago
i know that feeling, and it's a constant struggle to try and decide whether to waste time studying how to pass an interview that uses skills you'll probably never use at work again until the next interview, or use that time to actually learn a new language / framework or read some reference books

toomuchtodo 9y ago

Have you thought about moving into architecture? Your posts could be my friend; 40s, 20+ years in tech from junior positions up to CIO. He failed a few whiteboard interviews for dev positions and called me asked for help getting him a gig. I took his resume, tailored it to highlight his high level work, stripped out dev grunt work references, and started targeted applying as him to several companies. It worked.

vinhboy 9y ago
Thought about this extensively. But I feel the imposter syndrome creep up every time I go this route. My mistake is that I spent too much of my career working for tiny startups with 1 or 2 engineers, doing grunt work. I never got the chance to lead big projects and prepare myself to be competitive in that bracket. I have friends who are in that space, or higher (CTO, etc...). Although I hold my own with them in terms of technical knowledge, they all have backgrounds leading teams and working for big companies. I made a mistake in trying to chase the startup dream.
- toomuchtodo 9y ago
  > But I feel the imposter syndrome creep up every time I go this route. Fake it until you make it. > I made a mistake in trying to chase the startup dream. Its only a mistake if you didn't learn from it. Do not feel defeated. You seem to have the necessary skills and knowledge. You can do this. Sell yourself. Source of experience: 15 years of tech experience

notheguyouthink 9y ago

I definitely know what you feel like. I'm in a very similar position. ~4 years at my previous company where I worked my way into a Developer position, and then recently left to work with a friend in another company. I like the company I'm at now and although it's full-time with no end of employment in sight, I know eventually I'll have to go through the normal process. I've worked at 2 companies now as a developer at varying positions of development, and I don't feel qualified to pass a single interview. Luckily I have time to prepare, but I really need to get that established. Probably take the time to do a proper CS course to boot. Keep your head up, and thanks your reply :)

sngz 9y ago

i know that feeling, and it's a constant struggle to try and decide whether to waste time studying how to pass an interview that uses skills you'll probably never use at work again until the next interview, or use that time to actually learn a new language / framework or read some reference books