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I've been working with Elixir full-time since ~2014, and while I'm probably a bit of an outlier due to my open source libraries and speaking at conferences, I'v
by bitwalker 5y ago
I've been working with Elixir full-time since ~2014, and while I'm probably a bit of an outlier due to my open source libraries and speaking at conferences, I've so far found that there are always opportunities available if I look around. I also get the periodic recruiting emails as well, so there is certainly interest out there. I think if you've got the ability to demonstrate a good programming background (particulary in other functional languages), you won't have much trouble, Elixir is a pretty easy language to start being productive with in a hurry. I know of at least one organization that built up a whole team from people that were essentially brand new with the language and had success with it.
How long will it take to be good enough to get a job? If you are already a senior-level developer, with experience in a functional language, you can probably get hired without any experience at all. Otherwise, you probably need at least a couple months of getting familiar. Publishing an open source library as a means of demonstrating your skill level, and that fills some kind of niche, and allows you to get a feel for the conventions and tooling, is well worth the investment in time IMO. Someone really passionate about finding a job with Elixir could probably get up to speed in just a couple weeks, enough to be productive enough to contribute as part of a team - but that would be basically spending all day every day building something, reading a book like _Elixir In Action_, and actively asking questions on the ElixirForum, IRC, or the Elixir Slack channel.
I think its very doable, but you'll always be at the mercy of who is looking at the moment, and what they are looking for.