Hiring differences between platforms?
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Hello all, in a previous life (4 years ago), I was a C++ and later C# developer on Windows - same company for about 10 years. The past four years I've been a Perl/Ruby developer on Linux. Due to some concerns and issues at work, it's time for me to move on again. I'd like to get back into C#/Windows development, but I'm noticing a HUGE difference between job listings requesting Perl programmers, and those requesting C# developers. The Perl listings will almost always respond, even if it's just to say "Sorry, we're not interested," or "Sorry, we've already filled the position." (I've had four Perl related interviews in the past few months; two were okay but I didn't want, one was terrible, and one was *great* - but there were literally thousands of applicants and I didn't quite make the cut.) For C# positions, I've gotten.. Nothing. No response at all. Part of the complicating factor here is that the position has to be full time remote (though I do travel as much as needed, and would continue to be willing to do so). I live approximately in the middle of nowhere (wife and I bought a house here), and we would absolutely hate to move. I would not rule it out, but it would require an enormous salary increase (cost of living here is almost nothing - I shudder to think of moving to San Jose for example). Am I doing something obvious wrong? Are people really saying "whoa he hasn't used C# professionally for 4 years, skip this guy"? Do they think I'm somehow tainted by Perl/Ruby? I'd really, really appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts or consolations you might have to offer.
I think your initial thoughts are correct. C# has changed a lot in the past four years and you are out of routine. It will take few weeks for you to get back into it. Recruiters nowadays even ask you about the version of C#. If you are: - bellow 3.5 you're out, - no entity object you're out, - no WPF for desktop (Winforms is mostly history) you're out, - no MVC/jquery/IoC/HTML5 you're out... It all depends on your level. They will not hire you as a senior but they might consider hiring you as junior- to mid- developer until you are ready to produce code in quality and speed required of a senior. Regards, T.
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I think your initial thoughts are correct. C# has changed a lot in the past four years and you are out of routine. It will take few weeks for you to get back into it. Recruiters nowadays even ask you about the version of C#. If you are: - bellow 3.5 you're out, - no entity object you're out, - no WPF for desktop (Winforms is mostly history) you're out, - no MVC/jquery/IoC/HTML5 you're out... It all depends on your level. They will not hire you as a senior but they might consider hiring you as junior- to mid- developer until you are ready to produce code in quality and speed required of a senior. Regards, T.
I've actually kept up in my spare time. I'm considering taking a few MCSD exams - "Web Apps" and "Windows Store Apps." IOW, I take issue with being called "out of routine" - I'm well in it, just not doing it for a living. I would not consider a junior position or "mid-developer" position - I'd like to use C#/Windows again, but not at such a salary cut and all that. Programming, at some level, is programming; I'm not terribly interested in companies who require that you fill a certain buzzword quota. :/
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I think your initial thoughts are correct. C# has changed a lot in the past four years and you are out of routine. It will take few weeks for you to get back into it. Recruiters nowadays even ask you about the version of C#. If you are: - bellow 3.5 you're out, - no entity object you're out, - no WPF for desktop (Winforms is mostly history) you're out, - no MVC/jquery/IoC/HTML5 you're out... It all depends on your level. They will not hire you as a senior but they might consider hiring you as junior- to mid- developer until you are ready to produce code in quality and speed required of a senior. Regards, T.
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Hello all, in a previous life (4 years ago), I was a C++ and later C# developer on Windows - same company for about 10 years. The past four years I've been a Perl/Ruby developer on Linux. Due to some concerns and issues at work, it's time for me to move on again. I'd like to get back into C#/Windows development, but I'm noticing a HUGE difference between job listings requesting Perl programmers, and those requesting C# developers. The Perl listings will almost always respond, even if it's just to say "Sorry, we're not interested," or "Sorry, we've already filled the position." (I've had four Perl related interviews in the past few months; two were okay but I didn't want, one was terrible, and one was *great* - but there were literally thousands of applicants and I didn't quite make the cut.) For C# positions, I've gotten.. Nothing. No response at all. Part of the complicating factor here is that the position has to be full time remote (though I do travel as much as needed, and would continue to be willing to do so). I live approximately in the middle of nowhere (wife and I bought a house here), and we would absolutely hate to move. I would not rule it out, but it would require an enormous salary increase (cost of living here is almost nothing - I shudder to think of moving to San Jose for example). Am I doing something obvious wrong? Are people really saying "whoa he hasn't used C# professionally for 4 years, skip this guy"? Do they think I'm somehow tainted by Perl/Ruby? I'd really, really appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts or consolations you might have to offer.
capabit wrote:
For C# positions, I've gotten.. Nothing. No response at all.
If I had to recruit anyone for QNX4 development, I'd be rather friendly to anyone replying - I might need them in the future. C# is common, there is plenty of supply. Means you needn't be friendly when recruiting, there's plenty of fish.
capabit wrote:
I'd really, really appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts or consolations you might have to offer.
Not many fish with experience on Linux, and experience in different oceans (languages). I'd like to suggest marketing yourself as a rare fish - grow some arrogance :) You might also want to mail the non-responders and ask if there is any news or progress.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)
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capabit wrote:
For C# positions, I've gotten.. Nothing. No response at all.
If I had to recruit anyone for QNX4 development, I'd be rather friendly to anyone replying - I might need them in the future. C# is common, there is plenty of supply. Means you needn't be friendly when recruiting, there's plenty of fish.
capabit wrote:
I'd really, really appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts or consolations you might have to offer.
Not many fish with experience on Linux, and experience in different oceans (languages). I'd like to suggest marketing yourself as a rare fish - grow some arrogance :) You might also want to mail the non-responders and ask if there is any news or progress.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)
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Thank you for the kind words. I think you may be right - as much as I enjoy C# and Visual Studio, it sounds like it's going to end up being the wrong career move for me. Linux, Perl and Ruby is where I'll stay. :)
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Didn't sound too kind when I wrote it, but sometimes it is more efficient to be blunt. You're welcome :)
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Didn't sound too kind when I wrote it, but sometimes it is more efficient to be blunt. You're welcome :)
What happened to the bastard programmer from hell?
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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What happened to the bastard programmer from hell?
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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Hello all, in a previous life (4 years ago), I was a C++ and later C# developer on Windows - same company for about 10 years. The past four years I've been a Perl/Ruby developer on Linux. Due to some concerns and issues at work, it's time for me to move on again. I'd like to get back into C#/Windows development, but I'm noticing a HUGE difference between job listings requesting Perl programmers, and those requesting C# developers. The Perl listings will almost always respond, even if it's just to say "Sorry, we're not interested," or "Sorry, we've already filled the position." (I've had four Perl related interviews in the past few months; two were okay but I didn't want, one was terrible, and one was *great* - but there were literally thousands of applicants and I didn't quite make the cut.) For C# positions, I've gotten.. Nothing. No response at all. Part of the complicating factor here is that the position has to be full time remote (though I do travel as much as needed, and would continue to be willing to do so). I live approximately in the middle of nowhere (wife and I bought a house here), and we would absolutely hate to move. I would not rule it out, but it would require an enormous salary increase (cost of living here is almost nothing - I shudder to think of moving to San Jose for example). Am I doing something obvious wrong? Are people really saying "whoa he hasn't used C# professionally for 4 years, skip this guy"? Do they think I'm somehow tainted by Perl/Ruby? I'd really, really appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts or consolations you might have to offer.
From my experience, it is very difficult to find a remote position on the MS stack. I did finally find one, but it took 6 months and came with a huge pay cut. Probably because, as another poster mentioned, there are a lot of us out there. Companies seem to want a butt in the chair, even if it isn't the best one available. The Linux stack seems to be much more remote friendly.
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From my experience, it is very difficult to find a remote position on the MS stack. I did finally find one, but it took 6 months and came with a huge pay cut. Probably because, as another poster mentioned, there are a lot of us out there. Companies seem to want a butt in the chair, even if it isn't the best one available. The Linux stack seems to be much more remote friendly.
Could be. Previous to my current remote gig (Perl, Ruby on Linux) (4 years so far), I was also remote full time (C++/MFC/ATL and later we switched to C#/.Net) for 10 years. I guess what I have to realize is that I'm asking a lot - fulltime remote and a large-ish salary (at least, for where I live. I recently checked the cost of living between here and San Jose, CA for shits and giggles - more than *double* my salary).
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Hello all, in a previous life (4 years ago), I was a C++ and later C# developer on Windows - same company for about 10 years. The past four years I've been a Perl/Ruby developer on Linux. Due to some concerns and issues at work, it's time for me to move on again. I'd like to get back into C#/Windows development, but I'm noticing a HUGE difference between job listings requesting Perl programmers, and those requesting C# developers. The Perl listings will almost always respond, even if it's just to say "Sorry, we're not interested," or "Sorry, we've already filled the position." (I've had four Perl related interviews in the past few months; two were okay but I didn't want, one was terrible, and one was *great* - but there were literally thousands of applicants and I didn't quite make the cut.) For C# positions, I've gotten.. Nothing. No response at all. Part of the complicating factor here is that the position has to be full time remote (though I do travel as much as needed, and would continue to be willing to do so). I live approximately in the middle of nowhere (wife and I bought a house here), and we would absolutely hate to move. I would not rule it out, but it would require an enormous salary increase (cost of living here is almost nothing - I shudder to think of moving to San Jose for example). Am I doing something obvious wrong? Are people really saying "whoa he hasn't used C# professionally for 4 years, skip this guy"? Do they think I'm somehow tainted by Perl/Ruby? I'd really, really appreciate any help, suggestions, thoughts or consolations you might have to offer.
"Internet freelancing" has been paying my mortgage for the last 6 years exclusively. I'm exclusive .NET. Once you get some "rep points" (at a given freelancer site), the customers start coming to you. How does one get a "rep", by starting with $50 and $100 jobs. Some think it's beneath them. I'm taking the rest of the week off ... because I can.
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"Internet freelancing" has been paying my mortgage for the last 6 years exclusively. I'm exclusive .NET. Once you get some "rep points" (at a given freelancer site), the customers start coming to you. How does one get a "rep", by starting with $50 and $100 jobs. Some think it's beneath them. I'm taking the rest of the week off ... because I can.
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Your welcome; good luck! It's like a horse race; you just have to be a bit better / smarter than the other players. Once you find a freelancer site or two, hang out in the forums, see the complaints, and learn how to play better than the rest. (No place for sheeple here).