5 ms·

do you have any quantified evidence of this or is it just a gut feeling

by make3 9y ago

eksemplar 9y ago
Well, it’s anecdotal from experience and my network. 10 years ago we would get 1-5 applications for a programming job, and most would frankly be underqualified. The last position I put up for a regular .net, jboss and sharepoint position had over 300 applicants, several vastly overqualified. I work in the public sector, so it’s not exactly because we offer what most developers consider “dream positions” and we certainly don’t offer a good salary.
- computator 9y ago
  > The last position I put up ... had over 300 applicants, several vastly overqualified. Interesting how this contrasts with the widely-held perception that there is a programmer shortage.
  - randomdata 9y ago
    Is that really the perception in 2018? If we go back to the early 2010s, I would agree. That the message was spread frequently back then. I really haven't heard it recently. And it makes sense that the market over the last 5+ years should have started to close the gap. That is plenty of time to allow people to become able in development.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
- thesmallestcat 9y ago
  Few if any of the 300 applicants were overqualified for that garbage opportunity. Can you describe on how they were overqualified? List a bunch of certs and techs? Good programmers aren't fighting over scraps for underpaid government positions working with JBOSS, they get snapped up immediately when they hit the market. Five years to saturation? Yea right. Readers who just deleted emacs in despair should keep in mind that parent is hiring for Danish government position, not exactly the hotbed of software development or skills demand.
  - jnbiche 9y ago
    While I can't speak to the GP's experiences, I'm guessing you're in SV (most likely), NYC, Chicago, RTP, or Austin based on your remarks on how quickly developers get snatched up. However, those of us living outside that handful of cities have a totally different experience, regardless of how good we are or how much experience we have. There just are far, far fewer jobs outside that handful of American cities. And many of us are unable to just up and move due to a personal situation (sick relative, illness, spouse's job, etc.). It's just worth bearing in mind that your experience as a developer is somewhat the exception in the US, not the rule. At best, it's a 50/50 split between devs in the cities I mentioned above and the rest of us.
    - thesmallestcat 9y ago
      I've had similar experience finding on-site work in a healthy market as I have as a remote worker. I don't think parent's advice is sound, claiming that software eng. is a dead-end path for most, with a five year fuse. Clearly if you're not excellent or willing to move to a city with jobs in your industry, you're going to be in for a rough time. Not specific to software eng.
      - deleted 9y ago
        [deleted]

do you have any quantified evidence of this or is it just a gut feeling

by make3 9y ago

do you have any quantified evidence of this or is it just a gut feeling

Well, it’s anecdotal from experience and my network. 10 years ago we would get 1-5 applications for a programming job, and most would frankly be underqualified. The last position I put up for a regular .net, jboss and sharepoint position had over 300 applicants, several vastly overqualified. I work in the public sector, so it’s not exactly because we offer what most developers consider “dream positions” and we certainly don’t offer a good salary.

computator 9y ago
> The last position I put up ... had over 300 applicants, several vastly overqualified. Interesting how this contrasts with the widely-held perception that there is a programmer shortage.
- randomdata 9y ago
  Is that really the perception in 2018? If we go back to the early 2010s, I would agree. That the message was spread frequently back then. I really haven't heard it recently. And it makes sense that the market over the last 5+ years should have started to close the gap. That is plenty of time to allow people to become able in development.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
thesmallestcat 9y ago
Few if any of the 300 applicants were overqualified for that garbage opportunity. Can you describe on how they were overqualified? List a bunch of certs and techs? Good programmers aren't fighting over scraps for underpaid government positions working with JBOSS, they get snapped up immediately when they hit the market. Five years to saturation? Yea right. Readers who just deleted emacs in despair should keep in mind that parent is hiring for Danish government position, not exactly the hotbed of software development or skills demand.
- jnbiche 9y ago
  While I can't speak to the GP's experiences, I'm guessing you're in SV (most likely), NYC, Chicago, RTP, or Austin based on your remarks on how quickly developers get snatched up. However, those of us living outside that handful of cities have a totally different experience, regardless of how good we are or how much experience we have. There just are far, far fewer jobs outside that handful of American cities. And many of us are unable to just up and move due to a personal situation (sick relative, illness, spouse's job, etc.). It's just worth bearing in mind that your experience as a developer is somewhat the exception in the US, not the rule. At best, it's a 50/50 split between devs in the cities I mentioned above and the rest of us.
  - thesmallestcat 9y ago
    I've had similar experience finding on-site work in a healthy market as I have as a remote worker. I don't think parent's advice is sound, claiming that software eng. is a dead-end path for most, with a five year fuse. Clearly if you're not excellent or willing to move to a city with jobs in your industry, you're going to be in for a rough time. Not specific to software eng.
    - deleted 9y ago
      [deleted]