Is being tech agnostic a career suicide?

Grab
maze88

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maze88
Jun 29, 2020 14 Comments

I've been into software consulting and has developed flexibility in working with different tech stacks and languages. But lately to get a job understandably people expect being an "expert" in certain technology.

Though I do reasonably high quality maintainable code, I cannot claim to be an expert in specific languages or tech stacks.

Eg: worked on multiple web frameworks, multiple backend technologies, languages, ci/cd devops, cloud, Test frameworks, Mobile native, ios and android as well as hybrid.

It helped me understand vast landscapes of tech, and I can confidently say I don't hesitate to pick right tool for right purpose, or completely different stack.

But, realised that I might have killed/limited my career by not being an expert in 1 field. I have 15 yrs exp and now feel like I have done huge mistake. As very few people seems to understand the value in context of interview. As people expect you to be an expert in a field.

Thoughts?

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TOP 14 Comments
  • AT&T / Data
    Mr.Fix

    Go to company page AT&T Data

    Mr.Fix
    ๐Ÿฟjust a new guy here for the advice๐Ÿฟ
    Jun 29, 2020 0
  • Google
    GfTq22

    Go to company page Google

    GfTq22
    I feel bad for SWEs. Sure you get paid well but stuck in this rat race where you have to become an amazing generalist and a specialist (and the specialty changes every few years.) and you now have a hiring process which seems to require you to grind at memorizing solutions for 4 months just to re-enter the workplace and work on stuff that has minimal applicability to what you trained on. no wonder most of you burn out by 45.
    Jun 29, 2020 2
  • Airbnb
    KEAI77

    Go to company page Airbnb

    KEAI77
    I am exact opposite of that and regularly feel that I have become outdated. Java is no longer the buzz it was. Now it seems to be all about full stack
    Jun 29, 2020 1
  • Don't be Jack of all trades, master of none. Tech is highly competitive. Better to have advanced expertise in 1 to 2 areas of your field.
    Jun 29, 2020 1
    • Grab
      maze88

      Go to company page Grab

      maze88
      OP
      Realised. I love understanding, learning and working on different technologies. But sadly, interview is now becoming a challenge
      Jun 29, 2020
  • Sony
    .

    Go to company page Sony

    .
    Technology keeps changing with times and with companies you work at. What remains valuable is leadership skills. Donโ€™t get me wrong, Iโ€™m a tech guy myself, but how to architect a solution and system and lead development at a higher level will always come handy.
    Jun 29, 2020 4
    • Sony
      .

      Go to company page Sony

      .
      Once youโ€™re higher up the chain, you no longer need leetcode
      Jun 29, 2020
    • Grab
      maze88

      Go to company page Grab

      maze88
      OP
      Not every company just relies on leet code.
      The company I am interested
      Round 1 - tech overview
      Round 2 - tech deep dive in one area of expertise, and ds and algo
      Round 3 - System Design/ Architecture
      Round 4- Culture/Leadership/Softskills
      Round 5- Managerial round
      Jun 29, 2020