Don't Leave the Industry Before We Talk
Dozens of developers in three weeks told me they're considering leaving the industry, not for a new calling but because they think there's no room left. The resume game is broken. Go around it.
Over the last three weeks I’ve talked with dozens of developers who told me the same thing: “I’m considering getting out of the industry.”
That was hard to hear.
Don’t get me wrong. If you’re switching careers because you’ve found a different calling, that’s great and you should dive in. But these weren’t that. These were people who thought there was no longer room for them as a developer.
- AI is taking their job
- The job market is saturated
- It’s impossible to stand out on a resume
I have two problems with this.
First, it sucks that so many developers are thinking this way. To spend that much time, energy, and passion on a career and then feel forced out of it.
Second, it’s going to hurt our industry. When that many of your best and brightest don’t want to stay, it comes back to bite you. Guaranteed.
Out of those conversations, I’ve been telling everyone the same three things:
- The resume game is broken. You have to go around it.
- It’s as hard for hiring managers to find great talent as it is for great talent to land a role.
- In today’s world, it’s all about visibility.
The good news is I’m not talking about something that takes months before you start having conversations and opening doors.
Bottom line: if you’re thinking about leaving the industry because you feel you have no choice, let’s at least talk first. I’d hate for the industry to lose you.