Ask HN: How to get to interview prep and return to work after long career gap?

19 points by w-hn 1 year ago | 12 comments

It seems very daunting and fruitless exercise (fruitless in the sense that why to go for those leetcoding and studying standard design questions that will never be used).

I am a mobile/Android developer. There was a general layoff at my last workplace and I was so burnt out I could not bring myself to look for jobs right then. First four months were actually good and I indeed needed that break. Then the delays kept stacking up. It seems it is impossible for me even bring myself to start preparing for interviews now. It's been 8-9 months total since the break started.

I get calls and I kept pushing the interview/assignment dates sadly. I don't think I am still burnt out. I don't know whether it's laziness or procrastination. But I really do want to start it again.

I must add that I am not "truly" passionate about "software/coding/cs" part of all this, but I am quite decent at it. However I love the problem solving part though - I love making things. I have an experience of 13-14 years - completely in Android - that also kinda makes me a one trick pony.

Would you please suggest some tricks/methods/frameworks that I can try to jump-start it and kind of stick to that?

If there are mobile/Android developers out there who could share your experience and some resources that would be lovely!

jamil7 1 year ago |

I'm a mobile developer but work on iOS, from what I see and hear from my colleagues, the Android stack has gone through a bit of upheaval in the last year or so. Maybe, like someone else here said it could make sense to build a small app with the newer technologies and put it on Github and/or release it to the Play Store.

With 13-14 years experience I'd say you're still in a really good position despite the job market. Demand for senior people remains constant and platform experts are also in high demand while web development absorbs a lot of the entry level developers. There are less positions for mobile but also far less competition.

w-hn 1 year ago | |

Thank you. That indeed sounds like an idea. I am going to work on it. I am also planning to actively try to work on some well-used open source app where there is need for contributors.

austin-cheney 1 year ago |

Don't prep for interviews. You have high empathy or are an asshole (not necessarily a bad thing). You are honest, especially about yourself (humility), and can talk to people or you can't. You understand the code or you don't.

I really get tired of working with pretenders, because it is exceptionally clear to everyone else when they are pretending. Just be who you are. If you want to be better at something than you are then dedicate intentional practice towards it until you naturally raise your confidence.

I was laid off for six months last year, and likewise the break proved to be very fruitful for me even if depressing at first and stressful at times. My very best suggestion is to refocus not so much on your prior capabilities, but if you actually want to keep doing that or try something new. I was able to change careers from 15 years of JavaScript/full-stack developer and it has proven amazing. My prior leadership and management experience is actually valued now, I am learning new things, was recently promoted, my time (even during office hours) is highly respected by my leadership, and more. If you change careers or try something new where you are not experienced your compensation might dip at first, but if it increases your happiness it is absolutely worth it.

w-hn 1 year ago | |

Haha. I hope not an arsehole.

What did you change to if I may ask? Did you change while you were still at a company, or took the new job/role in the new tech/domain as the first job after the gap? I recently cleared an interview at a startup (all rounds) for a backend dev role but they offered almost 60% of the last salary I was getting (let alone a raise), citing I have zero experience in backend so they will give me slightly above beginner salary.

You seem to have landed in a great place to work. Congratulations!

gcheong 1 year ago |

Make an app and publish it. Doesn’t matter what it is you’re just doing it so you can get back into the practice of making something and you’ll have something you can talk with potential employers about , but if it solves a problem you have personally or it’s a problem you think you have a good solution for even better.

cbluth 1 year ago |

Find and fund a hobby, something else that drives you. You'll need that job to pay for it.

But really though, just show up to the interviews, sometimes you're a shoo-in and don't know it.

w-hn 1 year ago | |

Yup, doing that. Accepted another interview (second) - it's a take home assignment first - "minor" angel round startup. The project is, not 98% or 99.7%, but 100% the exact product they are pitching which is shady. I am still planning to work on it though, but it may not work out because I am pretty sure I wouldn't hand over the source to them just like that. Anyway, let's see. Thank you.

cbluth 1 year ago | | |

Don't put up the walls so fast, wait for the offer and give it a think. Godspeed, friend

babyent 1 year ago |

Good luck. One thing I can recommend is maybe you find a workplace that does something in an area you like.

You said you’re not truly passionate about android dev but you have a lot of experience and you’re good at it.

Maybe there’s a company doing something you like (like maybe you’re a fan of some sport and it’s major league has a job for android dev) or on a mission you resonate with. I’m sure being interested in the mission or product is just as important (for both parties - you and the employer) as being good at android dev. I feel like being a good dev is the baseline, and the rest is the icing.

Hopefully you find the right next job that is a good fit for you.

Best,

w-hn 1 year ago | |

This is something I have been thinking and this sounds great. I will do that. But such jobs are mostly abroad (not in my geography) and it makes things tricky.

Thank you!

coldtrait 1 year ago |

I'm in your position. Wish I could offer help but I'm also lost. Hope you find something soon!

revskill 1 year ago |

Keep learning and unlearning.