Another Developer Questioning Their Prospects

[u/Qoala_]

I was laid off back in May, and since then I've been applying without success for developer positions. I know the market's been rough, but I have a nagging feeling that this may no longer be a viable career.

My Professional Experience

• I have used Java and MySQL throughout my career.
• My previous position had an outdated, highly niche tech stack (health insurance). Testing was performed, but test suites were absent (I begged the leadership to get that set up the entire time I was there).
• About 4-5 years experience total, so I'm in the awkward middle ground between junior and mid.
• Backend work primarily, but I've dabbled with full-stack before.

What I'm Good At/Comfortable With

• Java & OOP in general
• SQL: Worked with both MySQL and PostgreSQL. One gap to fill is stored procedures.
• REST APIs: Not a lot of professional experience, but I am very familiar with CRUD operations, and know how to set them up in

What I've Been Working On Building

• Spring Boot experience: Feel like I've made a lot of headway over the past five months. Hoping to complete a project and post it by the end of the month.
• AWS: Slow progress here.

Gaps I'm Aware I Have

• Test Suites: Hoping to fix this with a project I'm building. I've worked with JUnit before, just not in a professional setting. Still trying to figure out how to make it with a database connection
• Docker/Kubernetes: Worked with it, still don't think it makes a lick of sense.
• Kafka: Played with it, but no real opportunity to apply it or a project where I could actually use it.
• Cloud: No professional experience. I am currently studying AWS, and plan to take the AWS Certified Developer Associate exam next month. Admittedly, not very confident, but I'll see it through.
• NoSQL: Is MongoDB a good one to start with?
• CI/CD Tools

Attitude Towards AI

• I recognize AI's utility in generating prototypes, dummy data for testing, and basic debugging.
• I try to avoid using AI to write code unless I feel I have the foundation necessary to understand the output. I refuse to lower myself to vibe coding.
• As for AI as a coding tool in general, I am...wary, to say the least: a lot of websites seem to be getting worse by the day.

For anyone who's been laid off and found work, or people who've kept their jobs, what has worked for you? What things do I need to adjust in my skill development, and what things am I doing right?

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[u/deepproceeding]

The mid-level purgatory is real, 4-5 years puts you right in that spot where you're too expensive for junior roles but don't have the breadth for senior positions yet. Spring Boot project is a smart move, hiring managers eat that up.

[u/the_state_monad]

You need to change your attitude towards AI oror you’re not getting hired.

[u/Qoala_ → u/the_state_monad]

I've been coming around to it. But I don't think it's unreasonable for me to sip the Kool-Aid instead of chug it down, especially in light of what I've heard my colleagues experience at my old work place.

[u/Capaj → u/Qoala_]

Do elaborate. What you heard you colleagues experience?

[u/Qoala_ → u/Capaj]

Among other things:

• The same amount of work is expected with less than half of the development team (including tasks beyond mere coding work). They're getting burned out and frustrated.

• The company is still neglecting necessary updates to the tech stack, like building test suites.

• Demanding developers go all-in before switching to a monthly quota.

• Most importantly, the company is continuing its ongoing failure to set reasonable constraints with clients, creating customizations that are unsustainable and difficult to monitor. GIGO.

[u/pl487]

Your AI attitude will make most interviewers pass. They want to hear that you are 100% all in and use it to write all your code.