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Ask HN: Senior Dev (15 YOE) Struggling to Land Interviews Despite Current Skills

4 points by code_bytes 2y ago

I've been a software developer for over 15 years, and despite having relevant skills (Python, JavaScript, Rust etc) and solid startup experience, I'm struggling to land interviews. I'm concerned my experience is being perceived as a liability rather than an asset. My resume is ATS-friendly, but I'm still not getting past the initial screening stage. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you overcome it? PS: I am not looking to pivot to management role or change careers

code_bytes 2y ago
Is this the stage where experienced developers start to become "obsolete" in companies eyes, despite having current skills? I'm curious if this is a widespread phenomenon or if I'm missing something in my approach.
- cebert 2y ago
  Are you comfortable sharing your resume? Maybe you can get some feedback from people.
  - code_bytes 2y ago
    I did that too. Got the resume reviewed and corrected independently with recruiters / hiring managers.
codingdave 2y ago
We can only speculate what might be going on, unless we see what resume you are sending out. But one phrase you said caught my attention: > and solid startup experience That makes me wonder whether you also have solid non-startup experience? I've found that a lack of diversity in experience can spell trouble. The older folks I know who have never really varied their roles struggle a bit. Be sure you are not reminding people that there is a difference between 10 years of experience vs. one year of experience repeated 10 times. You need to show growth and change, not just years. And maybe you do show that... again, hard to say without more info.
- code_bytes 2y ago
  I do have non startup experience too. I didn't face this problem a few years before (4 years)...was able to land interviews. What I am curious about is: Did I hit the age limit where the companies stay away most of the time
  - techpineapple 2y ago
    How do they know your age? I don’t do it _because_ of age markers but to keep the resume relatively short and to the point, I only put like the last 10 years of experience. Also. Given the state of the market vs 4 years ago, I don’t think I’d make any broad assumptions about your age quite yet.
arwmog 2y ago
I suggest applying to jobs within 12 hours of being posted, if possible, apply within 1 hour. Recruiters are being bogged down by thousands of applications within the first few hours. ATS also helps highlight your resume when you apply earlier.

4 points by code_bytes 2y ago

code_bytes 2y ago

Is this the stage where experienced developers start to become "obsolete" in companies eyes, despite having current skills? I'm curious if this is a widespread phenomenon or if I'm missing something in my approach.

cebert 2y ago
Are you comfortable sharing your resume? Maybe you can get some feedback from people.
- code_bytes 2y ago
  I did that too. Got the resume reviewed and corrected independently with recruiters / hiring managers.

codingdave 2y ago

We can only speculate what might be going on, unless we see what resume you are sending out. But one phrase you said caught my attention: > and solid startup experience That makes me wonder whether you also have solid non-startup experience? I've found that a lack of diversity in experience can spell trouble. The older folks I know who have never really varied their roles struggle a bit. Be sure you are not reminding people that there is a difference between 10 years of experience vs. one year of experience repeated 10 times. You need to show growth and change, not just years. And maybe you do show that... again, hard to say without more info.

code_bytes 2y ago
I do have non startup experience too. I didn't face this problem a few years before (4 years)...was able to land interviews. What I am curious about is: Did I hit the age limit where the companies stay away most of the time
- techpineapple 2y ago
  How do they know your age? I don’t do it _because_ of age markers but to keep the resume relatively short and to the point, I only put like the last 10 years of experience. Also. Given the state of the market vs 4 years ago, I don’t think I’d make any broad assumptions about your age quite yet.

arwmog 2y ago

I suggest applying to jobs within 12 hours of being posted, if possible, apply within 1 hour. Recruiters are being bogged down by thousands of applications within the first few hours. ATS also helps highlight your resume when you apply earlier.