Going back from management to development position

Omer S

Hi all, I've been managing SW projects for the last 5 years. Started out with 3 engineers, now having a 15 developers team. To be honest, I'm sick and tired of it: running after tasks and people, sitting in peer reviews, endless meetings ... So, I've been mingling lately with the idea of going back to a development position. Just be an ordinary SW engineer. However, It's been almost 4 years since I've written something serious and I'm not up-to-date with latest technology (well, I know buzz words and concepts, but I'm pretty far from all the "small details"). Add on top a wife + 4 young boys and very little free time. Questions are as follows: Has any here done such a change? Was it painfull? what did it take? How can I convince an employer to hire me? (I want to find a new job and some think I'm over qualified). Thoughts apreciated ... Omer

Christopher Duncan

You are overqualified. At least for the minimum wage code monkey jobs, and that's not really a bad thing. Be prepared to take your time to find a good fit, and look for a senior level position. However, while I understand the time constraints that come with the wife & kids scene, the reality of the matter is that you're going to have to invest some time to make sure that your coding skills are relevant and up to date. Working on some side projects will help accomplish this, and if you can arrange to do something free and useful for an organization that needs it, perhaps a small business, charitable organization, etc., you'll not only get your feet wet in real world coding again but will also have a couple of extra things to put on your resume. An alternative approach is to see if you can start picking up a small coding load at your present employer. Even a few small pieces of the puzzle here and there will aid you in becoming technically relevant again. No matter what approach you take, though, you're going to have to spend some time and effort to make the transition. If you don't have the support of your family in this endeavor, it'll be tough going for you.

Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalUSA.com

Paul Watson

>How can I convince an employer to hire me? Are there no opportunities in your current employer? I'm going from managing a mid-sized team to working with a smaller team over the next few months but still in the same company. They are supportive and also realise my strengths and weaknesses (boy, am I bad at keeping planning documentation up to date.)

regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:

At least he achieved immortality for a few years.

VentsyV

The only companies that might hire you are big corporations like Microsoft, IBM etc. They have tons of senior people so you might be able to land a team lead position that involves coding. Smaller companies will prefer hiring someone fresh out of college for half the money. That being said, I don't think that you not coding for 4 - 5 years is that big of a deal. I assume you already have number of years in programming experience ? You have the basics, so what if you don't know the latest programming languages ? You can buy a book and learn it in about a month or so.

Joe Woodbury

Two problems: You have to show you can actually do the work. You may need to take a high profile, lower paying position to do this. You also need to show your fellow programs that you aren't a pencil pushing brain dead manager who knows how to spew bullshit, but can't actually do anything. I've had a few engineering managers who could walk the walk, but very few. Most couldn't write a "Hello World" program in less than a day and without a hundred bugs. The bigger problem is assuring your hiring manager that you're not gunning for his or her job. This is a BIG problem. Have no advice there.

Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke

Member 96

VentsyV wrote:

That being said, I don't think that you not coding for 4 - 5 years is that big of a deal. I assume you already have number of years in programming experience ? You have the basics, so what if you don't know the latest programming languages ? You can buy a book and learn it in about a month or so.

I agree with that bit, not the first bit though. Smaller companies prefer the guys with the greater experience, they often can't waste time teaching the "real world" to a college graduate.

"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." - Walter Bagehot

MSBassSinger

What I am writing is purely from my own subjective perspective.

Omer S. wrote:

Has any here done such a change?

I made that move a few years ago while having to tend to parents slowly dying of unpleasant illnesses.

Omer S. wrote:

Was it painfull?

Not really. My ego is not tied up in being "manager/boss". As long as I do the best work I can in whatever job I am in, I am satisfied.

Omer S. wrote:

What did it take?

I always kept up my skills with some minor side programming, so that is certainly something I would recommend. Also, be prepared mentally to do what your boss wants. Sometimes we get bosses who are not the best architects and want really poor design, or are too detailed in telling you how to program. Just never let him or her see you roll your eyes. :) And never make them look bad in front of the rest of the team.

Omer S. wrote:

How can I convince an employer to hire me?

The biggest hurdle is that your boss will know you were a manager, and will want to be sure you won't be angling for his or her job. Be convincing that you aren't going to act like a manager, but a hands-on, coding, programming, team member. Look for a senior developer position, and when you interview, interview with the mindset of a senior programmer, not a manager. Your resume should emphasize your programming achievements, and minimize the managerial experience. Another alternative is to change your managerial style. I don't know what your situation is, so these comments are meant generally, not as a criticism or something specific to your situation. I found that delegating bits and pieces of my responsibilities as a manager to my better staff members not only lightened my load, but helped in preparing them for the day they move into management. A person can work hard as a manager, or work smart. Working smart takes less time, and produces a better product. In fact, you could consider the difference between a manager and a leader. Leadership is more dangerous, but also produces a better outcome for your team, your product, and your career.

Erik Westermann

Full-time roles would be hard to get because those that do the hiring are likely to consider you a threat - they'll word it using phrases like "over-qualified", or we have a candidate that more closely matches the requirement. You are far better off going independent/contract. When you are hired as a contractor, you're there for something specific, so you won't be seen a threat to most full-time staff. It is also expected that you have a varied background when you are a contractor, so a question about your move from management to development may not even come up in interviews. The contracting work will enhance your programming knowledge and allow you to pick roles that compliment your skill-set. It can be easier to go back to full-time after completing some contracts since your skill-set is likely to be more current and proven. A lot of people convert from contract to full-time, so that kind of move is not at all unusual. One comment about your original message, you asked how you can convince an employer to hire you. I don't think you (or anyone else) can do that. All you can do is align your skills and experience with the employer's needs and demonstrate the benefits of hiring you. If you have to work hard to convince an employer, that may be an indication that one of you is not right for the other. Good luck and best wishes!

Erik Westermann - wWorkflow.net

Ed Leighton Dick

I made that exact change about 2 years ago, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was definitely out of practice, not only on raw coding skills but also on the discipline that goes with it, but all of it came back in a hurry once I was immersed in it again. I agree with what some of the other posters have said: take your time in looking and find a company that appreciates the experience you can offer and will be patient while you get back up to speed. Deal upfront with the inevitable questions about why you're taking what some will consider to be a step backward - I even put it into my cover letters. The right company will see your experience in management as a benefit, not a drawback. A company like that may not be easy to find, but they are out there. Ed

Omer S

Thanks guys! You gave me some very important tips to keep in mind. One thing for sure - I'm determined to make the change. Omer