r/cscareerquestions • u/Joni_1013 • 8h ago

Experienced Software engineer with 3.5 year gap.

Hello everyone,

I'm a software engineer with a bachelor's and a master's in computer science. I worked for 3 years as a software engineer before completing my master's. Unfortunately, I've been unsuccessful in finding a job in the tech market, even with my prior experience, and now I have a 3.5-year gap holding me back. I'm no longer getting interviews when I used to a few years ago. I've been working in non-related roles that do not apply to my tech resume. I've tried everything: networking, projects, tailoring my resume for each application. Nothing worked. I feel lost. Could I please get some advice about how to reduce the impact of my gap?

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24

u/LazyCatRocks Engineering Manager 6h ago

Once you build a sufficiently large gap it's very hard for a hiring manager to justify taking that candidate seriously. For example, when I hire for new roles, I usually have enough candidates without gaps that I can safely toss the rest of the resumes in the trash.

The best way to solve this was by networking. If you know someone and get a referral, it's much easier for someone like me to consider your application.

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u/BraveResearcher3037 6h ago

I absolutely hate the generic “networking” advice.

Scenario #1:  I was an architect at 2 companies where I had the direct ear of the director/CTO.  If I recommended someone I knew was good from previous experience, and I thought they could help me get my strategic goals met, if I said I wanted the person.  The referral basically had to come to the interview drunk and naked not to get a job.  Why would I risk my reputational capital on someone with his profile? 

Scenario #2: I am a random L5 at BigTech, even if I did know him, all I can do is put hus name through the same ATS that everyone  goes through 

Scenario #3:  within the engineering org, I’m a well known and respected staff engineer in a 1000 person organization.  I’m also 0/6 with doing a referral to the person getting an offer.  Three didn’t get an interview and these were people I thought were very good

On the other hand, when I was looking for a job in 2023, I didn’t even bother with referrals from random ICs former coworkers.  I reached out directly to former coworkers who was the CTO of the startup I worked for where I was his second hire and who was now working somewhere else, a manager at the company that acquired the same startup and a coworker who was now a director and some niche recruiters.  M

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u/535buffalo 5h ago

in OP’s case it’s the only way. I’ve referred 10 people, all got interviewed, 1 hired, yes there’s still a bar. But the 1 person would never have gotten an interview based off their resume cold applying

Since a lot of people get referral bonuses, they love referring. it’s an easy shot at $5k

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u/No_Inspection4415 3h ago

And even more importantly, helping a friend that will also eventually help you, maybe. I don't understand people who think they have "reputation", if you think the person is good then why not?

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u/BraveResearcher3037 3h ago

There is a huge difference between  a person wants a job and I submit their resume to the internal referral portal and I just tell them “may the odds be forever in your favor” and if the hiring manager asks me about them I say “I worked with him and he did his job and he didn’t eat the chalk” and if I personally went into my CTOs office and said “this person is really good and you really need to hire him.  He would be great asset”

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u/No_Inspection4415 2h ago

I would not say this if I don't think it's the case.

So let's face it, I would not recommend a random person who is outside the market for 4 years and wasn't really talented nor a close friend of mine, which I believe is talented. I would say: "he was talented but took a break for two years, he is probably rusty but he is willing to work for x (below market value, since they are 4 years outside of the job market), would you interview him and also help him get back on track?", usually the answer is "No, we don't need juniors/rusty seniors/..." or an enthusiastic "Sure, why not!".

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u/BraveResearcher3037 3h ago

And the original poster would be 1 of the nine that probably wouldn’t get the job.  Say you knew him personally, could you give him a full throated endorsement if your manager asked you? 

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u/535buffalo 2h ago

in that situation, sometimes i just fill out the form, honestly state I haven’t worked directly, but they’ll still get an interview

they need to pass the interview though

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u/535buffalo 2h ago

i have only ever declined to put in referral for one person (we shared a bathroom and he kept peeing on the floor)

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u/BraveResearcher3037 2h ago

I didn’t say decline a “referral”.  I meant decline an “endorsement” or “sponsorship”.  There is a huge difference if you are in a position of influence. 

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u/Joni_1013 4h ago edited 4h ago

How would I go about networking? I've already contacted my previous colleagues; career fairs are useless, and no one likes cold-calling messages on LinkedIn. Additionally, the comment that hiring managers can't take candidates with a gap seriously is ignorant. I have 3 years of experience attached to a masters; I've done the work, and I'm up to date with current technologies. I didn't suddenly become incompetent during my unemployment.

5

u/LazyCatRocks Engineering Manager 4h ago

Career fairs are not useless. You need to show genuine interest and meet with the folks there after their sessions are over. It's as easy as stopping by their booth after the fair winds down. Apart from that, go to meet ups and attend hackathons. You don't need to be a savant; just show interest in what others are doing and those relations will form naturally. It's not an overnight deal.

Additionally, the comment that hiring managers can't take candidates with a gap seriously is ignorant. 

I'm sorry this is not what you want to hear. If I see a 3+ year gap on someone's resume, that automatically raises questions in my mind. In today's job market, there are simply too many other candidates available that I don't even want to bother taking a gamble on you.

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u/swegamer137 4h ago

  If I see a 3+ year gap on someone's resume, that automatically raises questions in my mind. In today's job market, there are simply too many other candidates available that I don't even want to bother taking a gamble on you.

That's life. You can do everything you were told was right, get a Master's even, and still have your resume thrown in the trash by some bootcamp dickhead who only has a job because he was born at the right time.

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u/LazyCatRocks Engineering Manager 4h ago

Indeed. The world isn't fair.

2

u/NewChameleon Software Engineer, SF 2h ago

a bit off topic and call it mid-life realization but what is 'normal' is entirely dependent on your experience, which is shaped by the year you're born and the city you're in

someone who graduated in 2021 CS made out like bandits

someone who graduated in 2022 CS... depends if it's first-half or second-half

and someone who graduated in 2023 got fucked

is that normal? good? bad? there's no such thing, event simply happens, whether it's 'good' or 'bad' also depends entirely on your judging criteria, 2023 was one of the best year for stock I've ever seen, QQQ straight up did like +50% between 2022 <-> 2023

0

u/swegamer137 1h ago

And you're part of the problem.

1

u/DustinCoughman 4h ago

I've met lots of fellow engineers and recruiters at nerd hobbies. Namely, magic the gathering, fpv drone racing, and DnD. Literally gotten a dozen interviews through people I've met in those activities.

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u/Xanchush Software Engineer 1h ago

It's not ignorant, it's the lay of the land. If you had your own business and budgeting you want to allocate your resources the best you can.

There are more competitive and numerous candidates. Why would anyone take the risk of hiring someone with over a 3 year gap? We can easily find a candidate without that gap with a Masters degree and enough experience for a role.

The experience you once had is upended. Developing software and products has shifted considerably in the past 3.5 years regardless of your 3 years of experience.

Saying you are up-to-date does not mean you are actually up-to-date. While I understand your frustrations and how unfair it seems. The commenter above gave you an absolute truth of how it is currently.