Finally, something I can answer! Credentials: I've had a multi-decade unbroken streak of jobs where I looked forward to going to work every morning. I've also

Finally, something I can answer! Credentials: I've had a multi-decade unbroken streak of jobs where I looked forward to going to work every morning. I've also never worked on anything but new products. Here are my "Secrets to Developer Job Happiness": Work for a small or tiny company that makes money with the software you create. If you can't work for a tiny company, work for a tiny team. Don't work for asshats. Ask around. If it's a big company, look on Glassdoor. A job interview is a date - remember to interview the company right back. Try to talk to the people you'll be working with. Are they trying to see if you're a good fit or are they more interested in trying to prove that they are smarter than you are? Don't be afraid to ask (seemingly) stupid questions. A lot of your colleagues will be afraid to admit they don't understand something (esp. in meetings). Don't think that just because no one else asks the "stupid" question, that you are the only one who doesn't understand. Fear of looking stupid interferes with communication and forward progress. Once you say: "I hope I don't sound like an idiot, but could you explain that part about the chromatic aberration but slower this time?" You are stupid. Get used to it. ;-)