Here at DEV, we're a diverse community 👨💻👩💻
Some of us own tech companies. Some of us are devs who work with tech companies. And some of us are devs still looking to be hired.
Most developers have faced some sort of problems while finding a job. Sharing these with the employers/recruiters on DEV can help make the process better.
And most importantly, y'all devs can vent out 💆♀️💆♂️
So, do you have something to add to the conversation?
PS: Hilarious responses are just as welcome as serious ones!
Oldest comments (28)
Sometimes, job descriptions for developers can be inaccurate because:
but there usually isn't :P
Job: Junior / Entry Level Developer
Requirements:
HTML / CSS / JavaScript - 15 years exp
React - 15 years exp
Node - 15 years exp
Serverless - 15 years exp
Missions To The Moon Completed - 3
Nobel Prizes - 1
Lamborghinis Owned - 1
“Entry level” yet it has 15 years.... that’s my problem when “entry level” is stated, it says 3-5 years experience.
😂😂The sarcasm is on point
You don't have any hands-on quantum computing experience?
Many recruiters reach out to me with roles that are far below my skill level and pay grade. Or totally unrelated to any skills mentioned in my online profile or resume. Why would I be interested in an entry level Android development position when I'm director of a full stack web development team?
Of course I simply ignore them. But it's a waste of my time and their's.
-As someone changing careers, my resume is useless but it's the first thing they ask for.
-Trying to apply for jobs sends you on countless redirects.
-After you applied for jobs they ask filtering questions.
-Your application goes to a black hole.
-Job descriptions are either unrealistic or unreadable.
Totally agree. Job boards are plagued with bad JDs. What makes for a strong JD in your opinion?
Getting my resume In front of eyeballs.
Clarification: ATS is the culprit
My biggest problem is finding positions to apply for, locally, as I haven't been able to relocate. I'm not interested in webdev, or DotNET, so that rules out a lot of jobs.
I did have a recruiter try to place me in a contract job doing Java, but I didn't have any references that can verify my coding skills, so he couldn't proceed.
A) recruiters reaching out for things obviously not in my listed skillset at all saying I'd be a great fit.
B) several lately seem to have a list of requirements with x years a mile long (IE like they want the expert in everything for say a mid level or something)
C) Oh and there was the one that wanted free work as a "trial" run.
D) When I started back in the day, it was the entry jobs that wanted experience...how do you get experience if you need it to be hired? That was annoying back in the day.
My main points are
Finding the desired tech stack jobs near living place.
My main problem is that I would never work for a company that would hire people like me :D
If Headhunters reacht out to me the Positions are mostly somewhere else then where i'm living. And I really don't want to move away.
Also there are not really much positions for that what I want to do (App-Development). And if there are some they normally want more experience than I can offer, because I don't have that much time to teach it myself.
There's a few things I've seen. First, job postings that have a wish list, instead of a description of what the position entails. You'll see what they do right now mixed with what they want to do someday, and no indication of which is which. Similar to that is when they ask for "experience with any of the following: Angular, React, Vue, or Svelte". I get that experience with modern frameworks can transfer, but what if I want to specialize right now? Unless I know what the stack actually is, we're wasting each other's time. Finally (I in no way want to equate this with the descrimination faced by any racial group, it's simply an observation) I feel like the fact that I'm currently an employee of a local government has limited my opportunities. I've specifically been asked questions that show that the interviewer has a poor view of government workers, specifically around productivity and skill. I've been asked those questions enough times that I wonder how many times my resume has been passed over because of it. I wouldn't want to work for anybody who would do that for any reason not related to qualifications, so no worries here.
I really think there are many issues.
I agree. I think many of these problems happen when companies outsource hiring to recruitment/screening firms that may not have expertise in the domain. If they can't tell the difference between java and javascript, they shouldn't be interviewing/screening you.
True, but as a person being interviews it just frustrates.
and i wonder if the company paying top dollar for recruitment then gets the best person for the job?
Currently, it's no problem for me to find projects for my employees, but for me it's pretty much impossible. As CEO all clients in my country want me to sign a temporary employment contract, because they want to "mitigate legal risks", right... (Successfully guess the country and you'll get bonus points).
I'm not going to sign an employment contract and lose everything I've built the last 10 years, including my great employees, that would be hilariously stupid.
So the search for "real" freelancer gigs goes on. Now insert the current pandemic into the mix and it gets even worse. I don't want to be a full time manager. I want to stay on the front lines and actually create things.
Another thing would be recruiters that don't read profiles or have very unrealistic requirements. For example, this one I got in today made me laugh quite a bit:
1) That's 20 years of experience, I'm 29.
2) Why all the different systems? I can see reasons why you would operate AIX/Solaris at the same time, but RHEL and SLES? Pick one, ditch the other, improve the life of your OPS.
3) Who in their right mind still uses Solaris? Don't get me wrong, I love me some solaris, but... why.
I'm trying not to touch the topic of "knowing someones value". Most companies want experts for a junior salary. That's just plain disrespectful.
Oh well, that's my rant for today. Onwards to like all the other cool comments :D
Most jobs are in locations with high cost of living or long / difficult commute times, and want you in the office four days a week at least.