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Question for HR / Recruiters for tech and Engineering Managers: Would you hire a candidate who the last "job experience" was upskilling for a career transition? Is this any competitive?

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Question for HR / Recruiters for tech and Engineering Managers: Would you hire a candidate who the last "job experience" was upskilling for a career transition? Is this any competitive?

Context: I worked as Software Engineer in Big Techs for many years. I am confident I don't want to work as Software Engineer anymore (Pure Software Development all day). I love SysAdmin / Site Reliability Engineering / DevOps roles and I am sure I want to be back to that (I worked as SRE intern during one year, 6 years ago, and I want to be back to that). I am considering taking a 6-month or maybe more career-break (I have savings for that and partner support) to upskill and create the portfolio needed for a Site Reliability Engineering entry-level position (I already tried to migrate by appling but, even though I have almost all hard skills requirements, my resume either doesn't pass the triage or is eliminated ahead due to a stronger candidate appearing).

My doubt: if I do a upskilling with portfolio this would help my applications, or the lack of employment would still block me?

Would a profile like that be any competitive / considered by HR / Recuiters eyes to pass the resume triage phase?

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  1. Anonymous

    I think if you target your portfolio it may give you an advantage. For example, if you look at the Job Descriptions and find out what they need and then tailor your products to show you can do that work (and with the tech they expect), I suspect that will give you a leg up. I also had a friend who transitioned in this way and found an open source, start-up project they contributed to (maybe 10 hours a week) for free to show they were still 'active.' That seemed to work for him.

    Honestly, as an ex-Big Techer myself, I would not question your narrative all that much. I would think you worked at big tech, did not waste your money (you have savings) and are now in a position you can do something you like and can actually have impact.

    So if you have a good story, good portfolio, and maybe find some way to contribute your skills a few hours a week to something, I would think this is a purposeful switch.

    The only thing is make sure you have > 6 months of saving in this job market, because assuming you are not starting to apply until your portfolio is passable and you have new skills, you may be a bit over that 6 months mark.

    But personally I applaud you for knowing what you want and going out to get it.

  2. Anonymous

    Previous technical recruiter here. If you step out, be aware stepping back in may be questionable to future employers. Most people are vying for jobs these days and the market is tough. I would maintain employment, and do your certs on your own. The question becomes why did you step out, you are not going to college, raising a child, but took a break from work. The message to the employer says this person may quit on me and they are a big risk. Stepping out of employment makes it harder to get back in. As a former recruiter, the candidates who didn't have large gaps got my attention. Because the hiring manager will see that and question your reliability. Doesn't matter why you step out, be sure to put any gaps on your resume if you do. Good luck to you!

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