I Used to Think Experience Outside Software Development Mattered

Sep 24

I’ve worked in software development for a fair amount of time. Lots of things have changed and overall, I think most of the changes are for the better.

Agile has meant an end to crunch and late nights that were at the heart of waterfall software development.

“Hahaha. The old jokes are the best”

One thing that has not changed, is that tech firms do not appreciate experience from outside the industry. Tangential work experience is worthless. Even relevant degrees are worthless to many recruiters.

Let me explain this situation from my experience, and what we should do about it.

How much is your previous salary?

When I started out in full-time development I decided to take an unusual route. I started training myself as a software developer in my spare time (despite having a 60+ hour a week job). I then took a distance learning master's as I thought having (another) formal computer science qualification would help add weight to my applications.

Starting out I had savings and frankly would have worked for nothing just to get experience. I had 2 degrees and came from a good-paying job with management responsibility but wanted to be a software developer. I fully expected to get a few interviews and this was certainly met.

I did manage to get a few first-stage screening calls. One of the first questions I answered was

How much was your previous salary.

I never worked out how to answer this one easily. My previous salary was large (larger than a junior coder by 2–3x) but wasn’t relevant. Recruiters just wanted a number to check they could afford the candidate but wouldn’t themselves give a range.

“For me, money wasn’t important. It still kind of isn’t, I just want a good coding experience and to be empowered to do a good job.

I guess the recruiters didn’t know what to write on their forms”

How many years of (professional) experience do you have?

I still struggle with this one. Fast-forward to now and I’ve had some time out of the workforce as I flew cross-continent just as the Covid lockdowns were starting. During that time I worked hard to brush up on my coding skills, I just didn’t get paid. I’m not sure if that time counts.

When I first started I had these degrees and professional experience but not with a ‘tech’ company. Does that time count?

“I’ve found to my cost that if you mention your experience outside the ‘norm’ you will either get branded as a career changer in your job or won’t get the gig at all.

A career change means you bring experience. I’ve found it brings complexity that means you don’t pass screening”

Advice for career changers

I’m afraid at the moment I would suggest that people do what I’ve done. I think that people in tech recruitment are not interested in your previous experience.

I can actually think of one recruiter who did appreciate the experience though. I’ll give them a shout-out here. It’s Yelp. Although I didn’t end up working there they really took an interest in depth of experience and provided a great interview experience. If you’re a career changer in tech I’d recommend you look them up.

Advice for recruiters

I’m always surprised that tech recruiters seem to only be interested in a very narrow range of bullet-point skills.

“Sometimes the required skills are irrelevant or filled with miskaes too”

It’s time to start looking at people as more than just a resume.

Specifically, it makes sense to look for people who are

willing to learn
able to grow from their errors
are able to work in a team environment

“It’s time to write these are requirements in a job description”

Conclusion

I might be old. I might not have as much direct experience as other people. I have one thing in my favor.

“I’m a better coder than you”

Shouldn’t that be enough?

The Secret Developer