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I learnt this same thing when I was a "company man". My first 'real' job. It was a production environment, and I ended up becoming a manager. I thought this was it, and I would always work there.
I got passed for promotion a couple of times because I was very valuable where I was at. They decided that, after finding out I was not happy about it, they would have me train my replacement, and then demote me. That's not intuition, they actually said that specifically. After training this dude, I would work under him in that area so that I would be available if problems arose. So I clocked out at lunch and just never went back.
Don't give yourself to a company. They are not going to take care of you, and they simply don't care when it comes down to it. I've done well after I learned that lesson.
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote: I also don't appreciate being told that I have to be willing to socialize with my co-workers. I actually got laid off once for that - it was viewed as not being a "team player".
How can I get that to happen?
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote: I was also laid off once because I refused to work overtime for the sake of working overtime. My view is that if my work is behind, or if someone specifically asks me for help, I'll put in the extra hours.
Agree. I'm tired of hearing people brag about how many hours they put in. They're doing it wrong then, either in setting realistic expectations, or knowing their pace.
On more than one occasion, I've made it abundantly clear: the company gets 40-ish hours of my time per week. That's it, and that's all (with some exceptions as John notes above).
To answer the OP's original post, it's not difficult at all, once you've gotten over the hump of finding that first one and gaining some experience (assuming some decent level of ability of course).
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Right there with you. I am 66 with 38 years experience. I have recently started doing contract work and am on my second contract with a big company. The first was a nightmare. The second has been wonderful. It all depends on the people that you work with and for. Most applicants are so anxious to get hired, they forget that they are there to interview is a two way street.
In the future (yes I expect to drop dead over my keyboard, I actually like what I do!) I expect to interview the manager and people I will be working with.
Finding a job is not difficult. Finding a GOOD job, one you like, and one you are adequately compensated for, is Hard.
A giraffe is a horse designed by a committee and developed in an Agile environment...
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I'm not 60 yet, but I have the same ego setting long ago. If one has to constantly putting over time, it means that management/marketing over promise. As I always said, put marketing, manager and developer in a room; the programmer always got a bloody nose.
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I'm 58, 35 years programming experience. I'm between jobs. I'm not sure I'll ever work again.
Oh, I can get a job, all right. I can get a job if I want to work for half my previous salary. I can get a job if I want a 60-hour-a-week death march. I can get a job for a lowball salary and a promise of options that may never actually materialize, and I also have to be a contractor for the first six months before my first year of options and my health care begins (at which point they lay me off). I've actually had each of these jobs in the last five years. A combination of shame and legal agreements forbids me saying the names of these companies.
I'm not a curmudgeon, like some of the responders to this thread. At least I don't think I am. But with my years of experience, I can see bad management decisions coming ten miles off. I try not to grimace in meetings. Seeing the future is a curse. You can't tell anyone because they won't believe you. They think they're so smart, and they're in charge goddammit. And you can't say "I told you so" either, because the perpetrators leave before the turds hit the turbine, or they're the founder.
So, gentle readers, how do you find a job that won't be a disappointment, when you know what you're doing?
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Two important criteria:
What you know.
Who you know.
Not necessarily in that order.
Not just for programming, either.
In parallel to one of your observations, I've concluded that most development shops want someone under 25 with 30 years experience.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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They also want you to do the job as a volunteer, and make weekly monetary donations.
modified 11-Apr-16 23:38pm.
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You at the right place at the right moment 
Truly, there are things which are destined.... It just happens ..
Thanks,
Milind
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I see that 'specific skill' trap a lot. Companies think they are hiring for a specific programming language or library set. What they really should be looking for is attitude and IQ. A good programmer can quickly learn any language or skill.
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I've been through dozens of job interviews, but it seems the easier the interview goes, the more likely I got an offer. I've job offer by just visiting. There are some company that has very rigor interview session for very simple project.
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I would say, the more senior and older you become the harder it is to find a new job. Location can be key too, in the UK. Technical tests are a subjective nightmare. I'm fairly sure, after god knows how many interviews, a decision has been made on you, in the foyer, before you've even answered the first question. You've just got to keep plugging away at it and don't ever let the interview process undermine your confidence as developer.
On that note, confidence in your own skills, knowledge and experience is a crucial factor in being a successful developer.
Also note that every job will fundamentally change in some way within the first six months. For example, in my current role, my original line manager retired within two months.
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Impasse due to defunct security device. (8)
cheers,
Super
------------------------------------------
Too much of good is bad,mix some evil in it
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Firewall?
I ain't got no signature.
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Hmm... Nope.
cheers,
Super
------------------------------------------
Too much of good is bad,mix some evil in it
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Ok one more try: is it "deadlock"?
-- EDIT:
defunct -> dead
security device -> lock
impasse -> deadlock
I ain't got no signature.
modified 6-Apr-16 5:03am.
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You are up tomorrow.
Care to explain the solution?
cheers,
Super
------------------------------------------
Too much of good is bad,mix some evil in it
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Here's an easy one so I don't have to do one tomorrow  .
>~:=~'õᴖõ-¬#'
(13)
Hints:
1. Member of a profession
2. You need to study biology to become one
modified 6-Apr-16 7:22am.
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Your definition of "easy" and mine differ somewhat... 
Any chance of a clue?
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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By "easy" I mean it is the only word in my dictionary of that length with similar repeating letters.
This is a site for coders, after all. I assume everyone cheats uses google/scripts, and adjust accordingly. 
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Staffan Bruun wrote: This is a site for coders, after all. I assume everyone cheats uses google/scripts, and adjust accordingly.
Ummm... no. I would prefer to solve a challenge on my own.
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Today is a good day to force it somehow HARDPINTNOMGI
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2 * Green, π * Purple and 1 * #99FF00?
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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