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IMO, this is a problem that very few people like to talk about, because we all subscribe to the (correct) idea that a good developer should be tech agnostic. Sa

IMO, this is a problem that very few people like to talk about, because we all subscribe to the (correct) idea that a good developer should be tech agnostic. Sadly, those in charge of hiring don't seem to believe the same thing. I was in a somewhat similar boat. I was a .NET developer that wanted to try something new, and despite eight years of experience few people wanted to take a chance on someone. I managed to find a role doing Ruby, and I've managed to transition to a new stack and language fairly well. The only roles where I had any real bite were the ones where I applied directly, and where the person on the other end of the table from me was a developer. To highlight the issue, the second I had Ruby on my CV after taking this role, the same companies that wouldn't hire me for a mid-level role wanted to offer me an interview for senior-level roles...

eanthy 7y ago
That's a good point and illustrates the hypocrisy of recruiters very well. You are right that applying straight to the companies without a middleman is probably best way to go.
non-entity 7y ago
Even worse, I want to eventually transition into, not only a different stack, but to a different subfield altogether. The odds are likely stacked against me, but I have a few strategies to try to make myself more appealing to employers. What I don't understand is, let's say I'm a web developer with say a decade of experience, and want to do something different (ML, embedded, game dev, etc.). Do I need to look for entry level / junior jobs in the field I want to move to, because although my 10 years of previous experience isn't completely useless, it's significantly different.
- mad_eye_ai 7y ago
  Same problem here. Web developer with a decade of experience moving into ML. Ended-up getting a mid-level ML job. It makes sense to me - I am not a junior and I can't call myself senior without any commercial experience in this field. Got a pay cut accordingly but I find it fair.

eanthy 7y ago

That's a good point and illustrates the hypocrisy of recruiters very well. You are right that applying straight to the companies without a middleman is probably best way to go.

non-entity 7y ago

Even worse, I want to eventually transition into, not only a different stack, but to a different subfield altogether. The odds are likely stacked against me, but I have a few strategies to try to make myself more appealing to employers. What I don't understand is, let's say I'm a web developer with say a decade of experience, and want to do something different (ML, embedded, game dev, etc.). Do I need to look for entry level / junior jobs in the field I want to move to, because although my 10 years of previous experience isn't completely useless, it's significantly different.

mad_eye_ai 7y ago
Same problem here. Web developer with a decade of experience moving into ML. Ended-up getting a mid-level ML job. It makes sense to me - I am not a junior and I can't call myself senior without any commercial experience in this field. Got a pay cut accordingly but I find it fair.