Ask HN: How do I find my next job?

The software industry in particular has gotten really lax with titles, to the point that they mean next to nothing.

I get a laugh imagining a kid just a few years out of school explaining to people that they’re a “senior software engineer”. Anyone on the outside would assume they’re either full of shit or some kind of Doogie Howser.

Where I work, time in the job doesn't necessarily correlate with career progression. It is dependent on continuously demonstrating impact, contributions to grow people, and direction. Someone in industry for 10+ years may not be qualified because of how senior is defined here, and similarly people with less time in the job very well might be qualified.

I was lucky early in my career to get enough mentorship to be able to get to that point. Maybe I would not be considered senior elsewhere because I haven't been in the job long enough, but at this workplace I am an L5.

I’ve been pretty much working and operating solo for the past two years, which isn’t great. I also live in Seattle which I have found not very conducive to networking, but perhaps that’s wrong. I’ll start looking around for things that way.

But yes I agree I need to chat with someone at prospective companies once I find one I like!