HACKER Q&A
📣 rabbits_unite

Getting back to the hiring scene post-hiatus (& all the tech layoffs)?


3 years ago I quit my job at a big tech company in order to attend to a family issue. And after that and with the pandemic, I realized I needed some time away from work to try and catch up to my life as a person, as I used to work a lot, and use some of my savings early.

I was hoping to get back to working later this year or early next year, but the news looks more and more grim by the day, with all those tech layoffs in the tens of thousands, and the warnings of recession.

I worked as an IC lead for many years, as well as a technical manager. And I mostly specialized in backend algorithmic and machine learning systems.

I kept myself sharp in some areas, but I'm also realistic that someone who has been away for that long is not a desirable resume.

I'm looking for some observations, big and small, on where the tech community is at right now, what are the top required skillsets now, what's different in the hiring processes today, and any relevant personal experiences from anyone who left the field for a few years and succeeded in coming back.

Example of a "small observation": back in the time when I last interviewed for a job, we used to do a phone screen first. But it appears that nowadays everyone wants to get you on a video call instead.

  👤 gregjor Accepted Answer ✓
Having done the hiatus thing myself my advice: talk to everyone you used to work with or know from previous jobs. Renew your professional contacts and follow up with any referrals or leads you get. Finding jobs through contacts and colleagues will almost always turn up more solid leads than filling out applications online or digging through job boards.

Contracting/freelancing can work too, but you still have to find the work. Those budgets got crunched too. Referrals and word of mouth work best for finding freelance work, too. You might want to look into agencies and contract shops (disclaimer: 10X Management represents me as a freelancer).

👤 lostgame
I think FAANG companies are laying off employees because frankly they are idiots for growing to the unnecessary size of folks they had hired to start.

The bank I work up here as a dev in Canada is looking to grow it’s team and I get half a dozen emails from recruiters a day.

Don’t be afraid of the layoffs. These companies need to be taken down a notch.

👤 nvarsj
I think the main change happening now is tech salaries are going to be coming down. There is intense pressure from investors on big tech to lower expenses - and a lot of that is what investors think are overpaid engineers. Rate of operating expenses has increased far faster than revenues.

So, hiring is frozen, layoffs will be happening and PIP quotas are increasing (e.g. GRAD at Google). Top end demand is shrinking and that will push compensation down industry wide.

I think you are fine as long as your expectations are tempered. There are still plenty of places hiring without big tech salaries.

👤 gigatexal
That explanation for why there’s a gap in your work history is good enough for me. I’d move on to a coding challenge or two and give you an offer after that.

I do interviews at the place I work at for what it’s worth.

👤 1attice
Something similar happened to me many years ago.

I advise starting with contract work (which is often much easier to get,) and use that to re-establish a recent work history.

Projects on Github are great as well.

👤 unboxingelf
Zoom calls are the norm, video often requested. 3-5 rounds are typical at the bigger tech co’s, usually a mix of soft skills, technical discussion, code challenge or take home.
👤 mpaepper
Can you showcase any projects you've worked at in the mean time? That way you could fill some gaps with project stories which might make it easier for you. Good luck with the search!