Ask HN: I am not able to find a job. Should I switch stacks?

nneed_a_work23 about 6 hours ago 10 comments

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I have 4 years of experience working with React, Next.js, and Node.js.

Other than that, I have also done some work with React Native and Three.js.

My last contract ended about 3 months ago, and I have been trying to find new work since then. I started with LinkedIn, then reached out through my network, HN threads, Wellfound, Reddit, and other platforms.

I also tried reaching out directly to startup founders building things in areas I like, such as worldbuilding and writing-related products. But many of them are also early-stage and do not seem to have much funding or hiring capacity right now.

At the moment, I can find around 6–8 jobs per week, but it is not moving forward. I am not based in the US, which is another hurdle.

I am open to learning new things. I have also done some work and courses around LLMs and RAG, so I would be open to working in that area too.

I’m wondering if I should continue with React/Next.js and keep applying, or if it makes sense to switch to another stack.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What would you suggest? And how can I show experience in another stack?

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Discussion (10 Comments)Read Original on HackerNews

catzapd•13 minutes ago

Rather than switch stacks, better way to phrase it is that one should try to increase breadth and depth of knowledge.

By breadth I mean learning other programming language, frameworks, system design etc.

By depth I mean that - if you claim to know React - then get to know the deep detail of React, TS and the related ecosystem.

You can showcase the expertize by writing code, demoing it or sharing on github. Writing about it is another way

gk1•about 5 hours ago

I highly recommend you read this classic post from Patrick McKenzie: https://www.kalzumeus.com/2011/10/28/dont-call-yourself-a-pr...

> You are not defined by your chosen software stack: I recently asked via Twitter what young engineers wanted to know about careers. Many asked how to know what programming language or stack to study. It doesn’t matter. There you go.

This is especially true now, since coding agents make it possible to work with any stack.

ericmcer•about 3 hours ago

I dunno I find it almost more important than ever to have deep domain experience. You need to be able to scan output and spot any problems/improvements instantly. If I am just auditing AI output around an area I don’t have mastery of I am basically useless.

patwork•about 2 hours ago

A stack is still not a domain. You could have domain expertise in building highly scaled distributed systems and still not call yourself a ____ programmer. The point is that your value lies more in knowing how to build for performance, consistency, reliability at scale and not in knowing where the semicolon goes.

aristofun•about 3 hours ago

Serious employers don’t care what tools you used, they care what heights did you reach (what kind of projects did you deliver).

mixmastamyk•about 3 hours ago

Don’t believe anyone is hiring “switchers” or people looking to learn new things these days. I only get interviews for things that done the last ten years.

Folks saying it doesn’t matter are correct in times of scarcity, but was always a hard sell to employers. Currently impossible without personal connections.

rozenmd•about 5 hours ago

The job has never been about "writing code". You're there to solve problems for the business.

I'd reach out to people you've worked with before and ask if they need help.

Froedlich•18 minutes ago

Managers might want solutions, but to get to them you have to go through HR, which wants checkboxes ticked.

That's two entirely different screening processes.

sdevonoes•about 4 hours ago

I started with js and php. Moved to Java. Then node. Then php again. Then Go. Then Kotlin. Then TS. Then Python. Then Go again. In between a bunch of sql, html, css, and many different tools, libraries and frameworks. The most important things Ive learned are around architecture/databases/distributed-systems, tho.

I don’t think i could have survived in this industry if I knew only 1 or 2 “stacks”.

nitotm•about 5 hours ago

I'm on a similar situation. When you say "switch stacks" what do you have in mind? It seems your experience is pretty demanded already. Do you have a strong Github profile?