Hey. You are not wrong about any of this. But I'm concerned that when ageism doesn't kill your chances, your English writing/speaking skills will/has.(not that this is the main issue, because I don't know where you have been trying to find work) Perhaps you have already done this, but if you have not yet, do have a native speaking friend edit and proofread any cover letters, résumés, and blog posts that your potential employers might see. There are a lot of errors in the blog post that might give someone pause about your ability to work within the English-speaking corporate system. (not that this is fair or right, because everyone can learn, but you need to show that you care enough to present yourself with care when you have the prep time) In addition to this, your vibe is colorful and shows lots of emotion. This approach, if you are using it, could also hold you back. You need to appear masterful, in good humor, professional and confident in your coding abilities (even if you aren't). there is a small window of acceptable behavior, and your blog post sits outside it. (I liked it, but they won't) It isn't okay (in employers' minds) to not have a portfolio, so you need to make a small one as soon as you can. I didn't know what you meant by "going in without a portfolio", in that if you were invited to do an on-site, they would have already seen your portfolio/GitHub. In addition to all of this, you need to present yourself as someone who affirms and supports the prevailing culture, and your blog post reveals that you do not. Since it is public, I'd scrub it for any hints of negativity or confusion about "the culture" in tech right now. Again, I'm sorry you have been turned away, and you are not wrong about ageism at all. But get yourself a young, corporate-minded English speaker you trust, and have them look at your materials with all of this in mind. It might help you get your foot in the door. I hope it does, and good luck!
If you are the victim of ageism in tech (fired/not getting hired, etc): I'm writing an article on the subject. Email me at [email protected] if you want to share your story. You can remain anonymous if you like.
