I'm posting on behalf of my husband, who is a lead software engineer working on Navy contracts. He has been with the same company for nearly 30 years and has never been let go or removed from a project. His team relies heavily on him, but he struggles with anxiety and OCD, which has him worried about potentially losing his job. He primarily works with C#, Java, ASP.NET, and Oracle, and he's concerned that his skills are outdated. Given his situation, how difficult do you think it would be for him to find a new job in the current market? What advice would you give him? Thanks for any insights!
5 Answers
He'll have a hard time if he doesn’t start using platforms like Reddit for job hunting tips! Just kidding, but seriously, he should definitely explore networking online—a lot can be done these days!
His skills definitely make him employable! The hiring process can be tricky with many hurdles, especially with younger candidates out there. However, leveraging connections he might have with former coworkers could be his best bet. It sounds like he's built a strong network during his time at his job, but if he hasn't reached out, it could be worth asking around with former colleagues in leadership positions.
He won’t have any trouble finding a job! It's usually the entry-level positions that are the hardest to secure. Employers will appreciate his experience and skills. They'll love him!
He should have no problem finding a job with the skills you mentioned; they are still in high demand. I wish him all the best with managing his OCD, too!
From what I’ve seen, Java is particularly valuable in the job market. A lot of major tech companies have extensive Java codebases. I’m learning C# myself to get into game development, and I can tell you ASP.NET and Oracle are still pretty valuable as well. Ultimately, employers are often more interested in experience than specific languages, so his extensive background could definitely work in his favor!
That's good advice! Sadly, it seems he doesn't have many contacts outside his current team. They're a tight-knit group, and turnover is low, but I might encourage him to reach out anyway.