No such thing as an unemployed developer

Other Pineapple Smurf

Other Pineapple Smurf

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While in the process of buying a house I need to take out some life insurance and retrenchment cover is an option. I'm having a hard time trying to explain to the brokers that the reason why I refuse to take out retrenchment cover is because developers are like plumbers, there is no such thing as an unemployed one.

Understand that when I refer to developers (and plumbers), I'm talking about the guys that know something, the guys that have survived the mandatory 5 years in the industry before they get taken serious by their peers.

For example last time the industry heard I was thinking of leaving my job, I got offers from all over. I still get that everyday and if I ignore the false leads from stupid employment agents I reckon it would take me less than a fortnight to find a new job without making an effort.

So what is your take on my statement?
 
I wish I can be as optimistic as you. A developer for 8 years now, but still dont have that comfy feeling though.
 
If you rely on someone else for your paycheque there is no such thing as job security. I also think assuming that because your skills are currently in demand means there is no chance of you being unemployed in the future is short sighted.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
While in the process of buying a house I need to take out some life insurance and retrenchment cover is an option. I'm having a hard time trying to explain to the brokers that the reason why I refuse to take out retrenchment cover is because developers are like plumbers, there is no such thing as an unemployed one.

Understand that when I refer to developers (and plumbers), I'm talking about the guys that know something, the guys that have survived the mandatory 5 years in the industry before they get taken serious by their peers.

For example last time the industry heard I was thinking of leaving my job, I got offers from all over. I still get that everyday and if I ignore the false leads from stupid employment agents I reckon it would take me less than a fortnight to find a new job without making an effort.

So what is your take on my statement?
Click to expand...

Something to consider is that the demand for dev's (or plumbers) is decidedly non-linear. I.e., If for some reason the number of companies employing developers halved, you wouldn't get half your daily interview count, you would get none. Even a contraction of 10-20% could have this effect, and out of the opportunities that still remain, the competition will become much tougher, also as a super linear response (I.e., pre-crisis, there may have been 1000 competent dev's vying for the available positions, where during a crisis, this may quickly become 10k or 100k).

This is exactly what happened in silicon valley in 1999 to 2004. I don't think SA is heavily invested enough in tech to experience something of the same magnitude, but I can certainly think of a variety of threats to the industry.
 
One other point (or rather another way of thinking abiut it) is that being retrenched, being in a down economy/dev-market and having tough are not independent events - they all co-vary. If there is a downturn, you are more likely to be retrenched, more likely to find work to be scarce, and more likely to see those opportunities go to the competition.
 
Whole world of hurt waiting for you. Trust me, with the current spate of outsourcing to companies like Zenzar and Wipro, there are plenty South African developers sitting unemployed. I myself have been retrenched because of this.
 
Wow, a whole lot of negative people. Perhaps why I'm optimistic and not short-sighted (as claimed), is that I have a broad skillset, I don't demand an unrealistic salary and I don't pull my nose up.

Of all my developer friends who got retrenched during the recession, all found immediate employment.


Then again I've I've yet to be unemployed for more than a week between jobs in the 22 years I've been working (not all of that has been as a developer).
 
cguy said:
Something to consider is that the demand for dev's (or plumbers) is decidedly non-linear. I.e., If for some reason the number of companies employing developers halved, you wouldn't get half your daily interview count, you would get none. Even a contraction of 10-20% could have this effect, and out of the opportunities that still remain, the competition will become much tougher, also as a super linear response (I.e., pre-crisis, there may have been 1000 competent dev's vying for the available positions, where during a crisis, this may quickly become 10k or 100k).
...
Click to expand...

If this did happen, it will still not be an issue as there is still a massive shortage of skilled developers. For unskilled and junior posts it would be different story.

I take it you don't really network much either. Just because one industry has collapsed, does not mean the rest have.
 
Gerhardva said:
Whole world of hurt waiting for you. Trust me, with the current spate of outsourcing to companies like Zenzar and Wipro, there are plenty South African developers sitting unemployed. I myself have been retrenched because of this.
Click to expand...

+1. I don't think IT professionals in SA understand the effects that outsourcing and lower rate onshore resources are having on the market.
 
Gushesh said:
+1. I don't think IT professionals in SA understand the effects that outsourcing and lower rate onshore resources are having on the market.
Click to expand...

Yes we do, best thing to ever happen to the industry. It purged all the useless developers in the industry.

Two years ago everybody was trying to outsource their development, now they are bringing it back inhouse as they got what they paid for.
 
adidas said:
I wish I can be as optimistic as you. A developer for 8 years now, but still dont have that comfy feeling though.
Click to expand...

Really? There are so many jobs out there. I am pretty confident that if I or any of my peers want to get up and move to another job we'll get one with no real problems. You are a scarce resource :)

...unless you REALLY REALLY SUCK :p


senyetse said:
Dude, ALWAYS have a backup plan. Things can change overnight.
Click to expand...

But this. Rather safe than sorry. Retrenchment plans cost next to nothing.
 
Gerhardva said:
Whole world of hurt waiting for you. Trust me, with the current spate of outsourcing to companies like Zenzar and Wipro, there are plenty South African developers sitting unemployed. I myself have been retrenched because of this.
Click to expand...

Never said their no risk of retrenchment - perhaps if I add that to be considered eligible for retrenchment benefits one needs to remain unemployed for 3 months. I don't believe that a skilled developer could remain that long on the market without an acceptable job offer.

And if you are, then perhaps reconsider calling yourself skilled.

All of my friends who got retrenched bounced back immediately, and many found it an opportunity to become more successful.
 
I sort of agree with you, started working as a developer in 1990 and in all those years just experienced one small hic-up in 2003 when a contract ended unexpectedly, but found something else within 2 weeks if I remember correctly. Also was in the habit of putting 10% away each month while I was contracting so at that stage I could survive a year at home anyway.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
If this did happen, it will still not be an issue as there is still a massive shortage of skilled developers. For unskilled and junior posts it would be different story.

I take it you don't really network much either. Just because one industry has collapsed, does not mean the rest have.
Click to expand...

The employees of the depressed industry become your competition for the alternate industries. These alternate industries tend to all suffer together, but to different degrees - very few actually see positive growth (unless you consider writing debt collection software :p). I don't think you quite appreciate what I meant by a nonlinear response. Almost all demand can be wiped out overnight. Companies retrench and stop hiring, and suddenly skilled developers discover that they're not as skilled as they thought they were. In 2008, I saw a lot of very surprised looking developers being escorted out of the company I worked for in Silicon Valley,, and most of them took months to get further employment - some had to move inland where the burn rate was lower and just wait it out.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Two years ago everybody was trying to outsource their development, now they are bringing it back inhouse as they got what they paid for.
Click to expand...

My new employment is doing exactly that and hence hiring me to start their in house development from next week. :cool:

However, I still think you need a "Back up plan" just in case. It doesn't cost that much extra and provides peace of mind.
 
Hamster said:
Really? There are so many jobs out there. I am pretty confident that if I or any of my peers want to get up and move to another job we'll get one with no real problems. You are a scarce resource :)

...unless you REALLY REALLY SUCK :p
Click to expand...

lol, the last time I checked I didn't suck :p
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Wow, a whole lot of negative people. Perhaps why I'm optimistic and not short-sighted (as claimed), is that I have a broad skillset, I don't demand an unrealistic salary and I don't pull my nose up.

Of all my developer friends who got retrenched during the recession, all found immediate employment.


Then again I've I've yet to be unemployed for more than a week between jobs in the 22 years I've been working (not all of that has been as a developer).
Click to expand...
I actually agree with you. I currently run my own business, but have a few companies that have told me that if I ever decide to get into the job market they will have an instant position for me.
It's a very comfy place to be.
 
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