this was a very informative read, thanks for sharing! i was only remotely aware of the state of the job market, it's nice to hear the other side. i have been working on my personal projects, https://ichatbook.com and https://weinvest.money. it's good to know other people are doing the same and validating this is a sound approach. for me, i derive more value from building and launching, then reviewing algos, refining my interviewing skills, and applying for jobs i'm not super-interested in!
Hi Brian, thanks for the comment. I have heard more people thinking about building up personal projects, as the stable high-income appeal of FAANG or similar companies no longer feels that stable. Without huge offers flying around for full-time employment, the benefits of working for yourself start to shine a bit more. Good luck with everything!
Yes, this is me, initially waiting out the job market a year ago and then recently, just leaving the industry and dropping out of the market all together. As you know, I'm not an engineer, but in UX/product, and I've never seen the industry quite like this. On a different note, hope you are feeling better and having an easier go this trimester!
Thank you Jenna! Always love to hear about your journey. I'm interested to see how long the market will be like this, and what that will mean for different people. Obviously not great for $$$, but also somewhat of a forced inquiry into what people really want to do when the previously more in-your-face make-big-tech-money option is less available.
I appreciate your invitation to talk about how we are reconsidering work! I would love to get more perspective on pathways to part time work or freelance consulting as an engineer. I have a day job as a senior engineer and am also an artist, and would love to find a way to keep working as an engineer outside of the full-time structure. How does one get started consulting as an engineer IC, and how common are these opportunities?
There are two main paths that I've observed - one is to do business development on your own. That might look like just reconnecting with ppl in your network and letting them know you're available for consulting. The other is going through an agency, where they will do the BD and let you know when there is a good fit - they bill for your time, and take a cut, but you get the benefit of not having to do BD on your own, and the benefit of their (hopefully good) reputation.
If you know of any engineering leaders at smaller companies who you've worked with, it might be worth letting them know of your interest so they keep you in mind. I'm guessing that given the abundance of experienced folks on the market, many companies may try to hire outright, but smaller startups may want to bridge gaps on their team, or just get to work with someone who is a known and trusted entity.
I found this newsletter part really insightful and relatable. It's fascinating to see the shift in the job market and how people are reevaluating work. Excellent work! 🌟👏
I’m a developer with 5 years experience. I left my last job in April 2022, intending to take a year off. I became ill and my job hung was delayed by several months.
I’ve been looking for a job for 9 months now, working full time on applications, my portfolio, interviews, tech tests, and reading engineering books and blog posts.
Much of what you wrote resonates with me. I have lowered my salary expectations, widened the net of companies I will consider, and am the stage where I’ll take anything that’s offered to me.
I am increasingly being rejected at the cv stage. I’ve been rejected partway through processes that I thought I’d done very well in, which has come as a great surprise and rocked my confidence.
I keep picking myself up. It has been an excellent lesson in resilience and persistence that I’m glad to have experienced. Still, it continues, and the burden is heavy.
I’m a talented engineer, and I know I’m an asset to any team and have so much to give. It is hard dealing with so much rejection, uncertainty, and lack of money.
The problem I’m having now is that I’ve been out of work for nearly two years, and so the cv gap is unappealing at best, worrying at worst.
I also can’t remember day to day minutia, so when I’m asked to give an example of how my team resolved a disagreement, or to describe a time i fixed a bug, i just can’t remember and have to fall back to values rather experience. It’s not what they’re after, but interviews aren’t designed for people who have employment gaps and sub par autobiographical memories. I’m at the point where I’m thinking of just straight up lying, and putting a fake recent job on my CV. I’m not quite that desperate though, yet.
Thanks for writing this article, it has been helpful knowing it’s not just me and hearing a hirer’s perspective.
this was a very informative read, thanks for sharing! i was only remotely aware of the state of the job market, it's nice to hear the other side. i have been working on my personal projects, https://ichatbook.com and https://weinvest.money. it's good to know other people are doing the same and validating this is a sound approach. for me, i derive more value from building and launching, then reviewing algos, refining my interviewing skills, and applying for jobs i'm not super-interested in!
Hi Brian, thanks for the comment. I have heard more people thinking about building up personal projects, as the stable high-income appeal of FAANG or similar companies no longer feels that stable. Without huge offers flying around for full-time employment, the benefits of working for yourself start to shine a bit more. Good luck with everything!
The Computer Resume Sorting and the 3rd Party Recruiters miss soo many dood qualified candidates who never get a chance.
Yes, this is me, initially waiting out the job market a year ago and then recently, just leaving the industry and dropping out of the market all together. As you know, I'm not an engineer, but in UX/product, and I've never seen the industry quite like this. On a different note, hope you are feeling better and having an easier go this trimester!
Thank you Jenna! Always love to hear about your journey. I'm interested to see how long the market will be like this, and what that will mean for different people. Obviously not great for $$$, but also somewhat of a forced inquiry into what people really want to do when the previously more in-your-face make-big-tech-money option is less available.
I appreciate your invitation to talk about how we are reconsidering work! I would love to get more perspective on pathways to part time work or freelance consulting as an engineer. I have a day job as a senior engineer and am also an artist, and would love to find a way to keep working as an engineer outside of the full-time structure. How does one get started consulting as an engineer IC, and how common are these opportunities?
There are two main paths that I've observed - one is to do business development on your own. That might look like just reconnecting with ppl in your network and letting them know you're available for consulting. The other is going through an agency, where they will do the BD and let you know when there is a good fit - they bill for your time, and take a cut, but you get the benefit of not having to do BD on your own, and the benefit of their (hopefully good) reputation.
If you know of any engineering leaders at smaller companies who you've worked with, it might be worth letting them know of your interest so they keep you in mind. I'm guessing that given the abundance of experienced folks on the market, many companies may try to hire outright, but smaller startups may want to bridge gaps on their team, or just get to work with someone who is a known and trusted entity.
I found this newsletter part really insightful and relatable. It's fascinating to see the shift in the job market and how people are reevaluating work. Excellent work! 🌟👏
I’m a developer with 5 years experience. I left my last job in April 2022, intending to take a year off. I became ill and my job hung was delayed by several months.
I’ve been looking for a job for 9 months now, working full time on applications, my portfolio, interviews, tech tests, and reading engineering books and blog posts.
Much of what you wrote resonates with me. I have lowered my salary expectations, widened the net of companies I will consider, and am the stage where I’ll take anything that’s offered to me.
I am increasingly being rejected at the cv stage. I’ve been rejected partway through processes that I thought I’d done very well in, which has come as a great surprise and rocked my confidence.
I keep picking myself up. It has been an excellent lesson in resilience and persistence that I’m glad to have experienced. Still, it continues, and the burden is heavy.
I’m a talented engineer, and I know I’m an asset to any team and have so much to give. It is hard dealing with so much rejection, uncertainty, and lack of money.
The problem I’m having now is that I’ve been out of work for nearly two years, and so the cv gap is unappealing at best, worrying at worst.
I also can’t remember day to day minutia, so when I’m asked to give an example of how my team resolved a disagreement, or to describe a time i fixed a bug, i just can’t remember and have to fall back to values rather experience. It’s not what they’re after, but interviews aren’t designed for people who have employment gaps and sub par autobiographical memories. I’m at the point where I’m thinking of just straight up lying, and putting a fake recent job on my CV. I’m not quite that desperate though, yet.
Thanks for writing this article, it has been helpful knowing it’s not just me and hearing a hirer’s perspective.