The Senior {TrendyStuff} Engineer

How to Rise Above the Market and Stand Out

Are you a senior-level software engineer struggling to find a job because you’re not a “{TrendyStuff} Engineer”? Or perhaps you’re tired of playing the buzzword game to make yourself marketable? If so, you’re not alone. Many engineers face the same issue, and it’s not just about the scarcity of job opportunities. It’s also about implementing suboptimal solutions because companies hire based solely on tech-related skills.

A trendy screwdriver in the format of a star

Let’s break it down. The “Senior {TrendyStuff} Engineer” is someone proficient in a specific technology or set of technologies. They’re the ones who know only JavaScript, React, Angular, Next.js, Bootstrap, Vue, Java, and so on. They’re in demand because they fit the market’s expectations. But here’s the catch: they may not be the best problem solvers out there or the best fit for your organisation, even if you work in a Next.js, JavaScript, Angular, or React organisation (you see the pattern there, right? 😄).

Hiring managers search for “Senior {TrendyStuff} Engineers” because they’re easier to find. Not being technology-specific runs the risk of hiring inexperienced individuals shooting for high-paying roles who know little about programming in practice. However, they’re missing out on engineers who can solve problems beyond a specific technology and choose not to focus on the syntax of technology alone. It’s the equivalent of having a hammer, the language used in the role, and treating everything like a nail, the engineers of that language. This low-effort approach leads to suboptimal hires, which is bad for everyone.

But why aren’t companies and hiring managers looking for problem solvers? Well, it’s because they’re not as easy to find. They may not have the latest buzzwords in their job title, but they have the ability to learn and adapt to any technology. Unfortunately, these engineers are often overlooked because they don’t meet the market’s expectations.

So what’s the solution?

The answer is simple: don’t be a “{TrendyStuff} Engineer”, but pretend to be one to pass the initial filter. Continue focusing on problem-solving skills and the fundamentals of programming. Read the {TrendyStuff} manual and a little bit of history about {TrendyStuff} engineers and their mistakes — mistakes you’ve probably seen repeatedly elsewhere, only with different names. Don’t just learn a language because it’s popular; learn it because it solves a specific problem. And don’t be afraid to talk to hiring managers about the importance of problem-solving skills over technology. It may take time, but companies will eventually realise that programming language skills alone aren’t enough. Until then, frame yourself as the newest “Senior {TrendyStuff} Engineer”.

In conclusion, being a “{TrendyStuff} Engineer” may make you marketable, but it won’t make you a great problem solver or get you to roles that exercise that ability. To excel in your career, focus on problem-solving skills and programming fundamentals and don’t be afraid to speak up about the importance of these skills in your workplace. It may not happen overnight, but it will create a better development community for you, and us, and everyone.

It’s worth the effort!

Thanks for reading. If you have feedback, contact me on Twitter, LinkedIn or Github.