Got an offer after 1 year searching
Posted by moldis1987@reddit | ExperiencedDevs | View on Reddit | 39 comments
I am SE with 15y experience, have a job as Tech Lead since Nov 2023 (new hired) but was looking for new one and finally landed it.
The interview process was a bit wierd as they rejected me at first, but then returned back after 1 month asking to continue interview (4 stages in total). +50% rise to salary, no other benefits and lots of red flags (I.e. they want me start onboarding now so I can be prepared at actual date).
Long story short, keep connection with HRs even if you been rejected.
ventilazer@reddit
New grads are so cooked.
obamabinladenhiphop@reddit
All of us are cooked bro. At least some companies have programs to specifically hire new grads. Experienced ones are cooked and thrown into trash.
butchqueennerd@reddit
A company that thinks it's a great idea to hire new grads as a substitute for experienced devs is not a company I would want to work for. I'm such cases, my experience has been that they're doing it because they're cheap (out of necessity or inherent stinginess) or run by clueless managers.
tripsafe@reddit
No way you think new grads have it easier than experienced devs
LogicRaven_@reddit
That's maybe true, but likely independent from the story in the post.
OP has significant experience and possibly was looking for a tech lead or staff role, in the right company, for the right money.
Those roles are not easy to land even in good times. So a longer search period whole you have a job is expected.
nsxwolf@reddit
Good thing OP got the 50% increase. It will only take 2 years to make up the lost income!
polygon_lover@reddit
Said that about me when I graduated 10 years ago. Job markets are always ups and down. My latest job hunt took 1 month.
GJ747@reddit
A few years ago, I also took a job where there were many red flags. For a few months, it was fine, but after that, it became a nightmare. An 8 hour job became 10, then 11. The culture was so toxic that I left due to my mental health and didn’t join anywhere else for a year until I recovered. Now, I always pay attention to red flags."
_Invictuz@reddit
Biggest red flag these days would be the bills you have no idea how you're gonna pay cuz of unemployment though.
Kafka_pubsub@reddit
For my current role, I remember my manager calling me, at least twice, weeks before my start date to discuss what I'll be doing, etc. It was the first time something like that happened for me.
_Invictuz@reddit
So you're saying this happened but they didn't expect you to ship features in the first week?
moldis1987@reddit (OP)
Good to know, its not only me
Traditional_Hat861@reddit
Yeah, happened with me too.
Trollzore@reddit
It also has happened to me too & felt sketch, but it turned out to be the best job ever. He was a new head of eng and now I assume it was because of excitement. Can’t complain now!
jontzbaker@reddit
I don't think that's entirely bad. Assuming they deal equipment and credentials, it's fair to get in touch and arrange some of the administrative stuff beforehand. I'm moving to a new job in a couple weeks and they are doing stuff like this, perhaps because I asked for a longer time to get off my current job.
Beneficial_Map6129@reddit
"lots of red flags"
why take it then
moldis1987@reddit (OP)
50% more money, my current job also has tons of red flags and slavery environment + its new industry (gaming) with huge potential
Dreadmaker@reddit
Hold on - you’re getting a 50% pay rise going from traditional software into games? Usually it goes the opposite direction. Is there a big discrepancy in terms of the position itself? (Like, senior -> staff or something?)
I’m curious because I think I’d be happier in the gaming industry, despite all the BS that comes with it - but my understanding is that you’ll just never be anywhere near the same money. At least in my area it’s like a 50% paycut, if I’m not mistaken. I’d be curious to know the details here
moldis1987@reddit (OP)
Yes, actually lower position (joining as SE comes from Tech Lead). It's crypto-gaming, primary its game, crypto is NFT. My background is crypto, and for past years, it sucks
Empanatacion@reddit
Crypto gaming is the answer to the question, "How can you make gaming software development more toxic than it already is?"
Dreadmaker@reddit
I’m quite surprised to hear it’s a raise going from crypto to video games, particularly for the position drop. Can I ask broadly what market you’re in? US, Europe, Asia…?
Hopefully the new position is better for you!
fojam@reddit
Anecdotal, but if you're getting paid well in the gaming industry, it's probably also an abusive work environment and they're trying to make up for it.
Dreadmaker@reddit
Yeah, but I mean that’s possible anywhere. Anecdotally the same can be said of a number of jobs in traditional software. Before my current gig I was in a hiring process with another company - a small startup where I would have been employee number 9, and also responsible for a lot of the product’s backend and infrastructure. They started at an initial offer that was fairly high, and then when I told them I was interviewing at other companies and in late stages there, they substantially increased the offer. Like, 25% increase. It was a bit of a warning flag for exactly what you’re saying - the money would have been nuts, but it really felt like that would have been potentially insane pressure, and possibly not incredible business practices.
And yes, the common anecdote for gaming is that you’re underpaid and overworked, and you’re basically charged a ‘passion tax’ for working there. But that’s been the case for a long time, and I’m curious whether the tides are starting to change there as the industry evolves. It’s why I asked the question. Maybe it’s still the case, but OP seems to be getting a big raise to go there, and I’m curious whether or not that’s something that may start to be more normal.
fojam@reddit
Yea the only reason I said that was that it felt reminiscent of a situation that I've been in. Just still reeling from that and don't want anyone to fall into the same trap.
FatStoic@reddit
Beneficial_Map6129@reddit
But then he'll keep searching anyway, this time while also having to deal with stressful new work
FatStoic@reddit
I imagine OP has his own reasons but sometimes to move your career in the right direction you need to work somewhere bad temporarily.
My first job had a ton of red flags, I knew it would be a shitshow and I still went for it because I had no other options and knew the experience would let me work somewhere good, which it did.
Sadly it's not 2021 anymore, jobs aren't falling out of trees.
LisaDziuba@reddit
So you were significantly underpaid before or significantly overpaid now?
Interesting-Ad1803@reddit
Congratulations! It's quite possible they had another first choice but they turned the offer down. No shame in being the backup choice though. You got the job!
I'm not sure I'd want to do anything but perhaps fill out some paperwork prior to being on the payroll though.
moldis1987@reddit (OP)
Yeah, that's was my thought as well. Or the previous one didn't complete the probation period.
dbaeq90@reddit
Are you in the US or just BSing us being an offshore dude in Vietnam?
moldis1987@reddit (OP)
I am in Vietnam, new position is US company
DevilViper91@reddit
We have no clue what he was making he could have went from 80k to 160k for all we know.
re0st92mg@reddit
congrats
kevinkaburu@reddit
They may wish you to take advice and provide insight on their current project and tech stack. Shouldn't be a problem if
1) you explain you are still working for another company.
2) maintain professionalism and ethics on sharing information.
3) Try to have them jump started without your input.'
But you shouldn't be doing work for them before onboarding, they can simply setup your onboarding and wait for you. Unless they are trying to have you fill their gap immediately... But where is the rest of that team? What is the truth ?
dablya@reddit
For free?
moldis1987@reddit (OP)
Yes, I said them I am fine, but no coding tasks before actually landing.
tepfibo@reddit
So you were employed the whole time during the job search?
moldis1987@reddit (OP)
Yes