What should I do after being laid off from my developer job?

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Asked By CuriousOtter99 On

I've recently been laid off from my job as a Frontend Developer at an agency that specialized in custom Drupal sites. This was my first and only developer job, and I've been there for nine years after transitioning from a career in newspaper copy editing back in 2015. At 46 years old, I'm feeling uncertain about my next steps for several reasons: I worry about my age being a disadvantage in the tech industry, I don't feel passionate about coding, and I struggle to think of other career paths that might be fulfilling yet still provide a good income. I'm also confused about whether I should continue looking for similar developer positions or explore completely new fields. Any advice would be appreciated!

5 Answers

Answered By TechSavvyTime On

You're definitely not too old to find a new job! I'm 49 and just got hired recently. Your experience with Drupal can still be valuable, and there are plenty of jobs out there in both Drupal and PHP. Passion can be a hurdle during interviews, though. If you enjoy troubleshooting, that might keep you engaged enough while you look for something new or consider other options like freelance work.

Answered By JobSeeker123 On

Exploring new job opportunities might be a good idea. There's no harm in trying something different. You could even consider training in a trade, like plumbing or electrical work, which can be quite lucrative! Plus, your age can actually work to your advantage as employers value experience.

Answered By BurntOutCoder On

I feel for you. I'm almost 40 and also recently left the WordPress space. It's tough when it feels like there are more jobs in other areas like .NET and C#, but sometimes those jobs can lead to burnout too. I turned down a pretty decent PHP job because the pay wouldn't have covered living costs here. It's frustrating how the cost of living impacts our options.

Answered By FutureBuilder On

It sounds like you have some valuable skills, especially with Drupal. Consider focusing on niches like government or charity sectors where change moves slowly and they often need experienced folks. Also, doing some freelance gigs while you're in this transition could help financially and get you back into the groove.

Answered By ResilientDev On

Age shouldn't be your biggest concern. There'll always be younger, cheaper labor, but your experience gives you a unique edge. Focus on getting a job to support yourself first, then think about whether you want to pivot to something you love. It's easier to explore your passions with a steady income!

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