Ask HN: How to save my career at 35 | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How to save my career at 35

15 pointsthrowaway0097 comments

I'm 35. I've started a few companies, nothing amazing. Before becoming an entrepreneur I was a network and systems engineer. I enjoyed it, but now no one wants to give me work as a engineer because they think I'm too senior. I feel stuck at 35 being too young for senior roles in established companies and too experienced for even mid level roles in engineering (though I wouldn't mind it).

What should I do?

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Rewrite your resume to de-emphasize the entrepreneurial stuff. Once I changed my resume to make it look like I was an employee rather than a founder, I got plenty of traction.

I am 41 and immediately get calls for Programming jobs and also as architect etc. Work with a resume writer.They know how to best present a resume.

>no one wants to give me work as a engineer because they think I'm too senior.

I read this as "we're afraid that if we offer him a mid-level role as an engineer, he'll get bored and leave to start another company".

Considering your background, I can see how that would be a common concern so maybe in the next interview it might be worth blatantly stating that you really are committed to a full-time engineering role for the next few years.

With experience as an entrepreneur and system engineer, I think you would fit a senior position perfectly. Don't you think you could teach a thing or two to younger ones? :-)

Otherwise, I'd suggest pushing daily code on github to show that you still enjoy hacking and can get shit done. That would be my biggest fear.. Is he still passionate about coding and debugging stuff?

Also, saying that you are an entrepreneur can be a bit scary for some employers.. They know that you could leave on a heart beat to start a new business.

Are you not in a location where there's a searcher-friendly job market? Have you exhausted the possible set of places you could work?

"no one wants to give me work" -- You're talking to the wrong people (HR flunkies & recruiters). Zero-in on the true Economic Buyer, a senior executive or manager who you can help. Linkedin is a good place to build a prospect list. Reach out and engage them in a conversation.

Im 33, most people think I'm around 28. Just relax about it, don't talk about age too much, and maybe dress the part. network, have a pint with people, be chill, and it'll all work out.

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