I have held many roles and positions (from startup CEO , but mostly a software engineer at some known startups and known big companies) Lived in SV 12 years while at Sun and Yahoo and few startups. Would anyone hire a 51 year old to just be a senior engineer anymore? I just like to Code, sans bull, don’t want to be a VP (been there). Just like Tuttle in the movie Brazil. I had a bad experience at Slack. Passed coding assignment (did 2 across different roles I had background in) , 3 phone screens, but after the on-site got a “no real specific reason other then the fit”....there wasn’t a ton of depth on the other side of the table. Lots of “empathy” questions which I guess is something a 25 year old really is concerned with now? :) everyone asked about it. But no one wanted to hear the ugly stories you see after 20 years in software. Same at Apple. Had an on-site after 3 calls and one coding pass . Was honestly super grilled by the team for a pretty lame front end type role. Manager gave me positive indication at end of day , then met Director. Didn’t really stumble on any particular question. Then the email “wasn’t a good fit” I hate to whine and blame diversity but can’t see a single reason other then average age was 30 in both of these teams. My friend at Apple said it’s better to find a more “mature” team....a friend at Slack said “if you are white and over 40 they have diversity quotas so you will rarely get in” So I guess now I’m wondering how much BS there is, if it’s even worth the effort if I can pass all the coderpad stuff but once I get on-site it’s a “who is this old guy and why does he still just want to Code” Just like a stable company and cool people. Not chasing any easy money. Where to turn? (Btw both of the above even though I had contacts I wanted to see how my resume stacked up and they were online non referrals and got the responses)
I'm 39 with 20 years in thos industry and have been dealing with exactly the same thing for the past few years. I chalk it up to ageism above all else at this point. "Not a good fit", "you dont have X years with a specific framework", "overqualified", etc I've heard it all.
Sorry for the typo, fat fingered it.
Let me suggest that you resist, and fight against this new trend in "coding assessments". What they demonstrate is a company, or individuals LACK of ability to assess or otherwise scruitineer talent or ability.
Ditto. As a data scientist I have ‘interviewed’ at amazon, Airbnb, Uber... spent easily a week giving them each free work, none of them made an offer. No more! I walk if they ask me to take a test.
But I’ve passed them all, but agree if they aren’t used they are a waste and I can only be entertained by so many Leet Code questions before questioning my own existence :)
😔 what questions re: empathy?
Define it and give an example on how you have experienced and or dealt with it
IMHO only solution is to persist and keep interviewing..
Good thing is your getting onsites..just a matter of time before you get an offer
Try tech roles in non-tech companies. Your age might work in your favor there. Also, consulting companies.
Try Google. Plenty of ex-CTOs being perennial (but well paid) L5s.
That's reassuring
I also know one such case
Try Amazon
We have Randy wiggington. So yes.
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