real advice v.s. BS

I see “tech influencers” recommending developers who got laid off and cannot find a job to start their own companies.

Like an AI-powered company.

They say it is easy to raise money now as AI is super hyped.

Did anyone think for a second just how stupid that is? I mean if you can’t get a job… How can you build a company and be successful?

With what money?

People who start companies are either Ivy League well, well-connected students using daddy money to build a startup.

When all your colleagues are working at McKinsey, and you didn’t cut it, starting a company gives you more status than getting a job. Jobs are for poor people. If the company fails, call Daddy and go back to school.

Or experienced developers who, even if they come from the "working class", know that even if the company fails, they can get a job quickly. And put food on the table!

If you can’t get a job because you can’t pass technical interviews, the last thing you should do is start a company.

You will waste your savings and have to get back to the job market in a few months, even more desperate. It is career suicide!

For the record.

The hardest part of building a company is not the “building part”. It is the selling part. Getting people to buy your stuff and not coding will occupy most of your time.

And that’s a good thing.

Because the more time you spend talking to people (and getting rejected when you try to “sell” them your little SAAS product, the more you learn how to build the right thing.

Oh, and if you don’t like the “selling part,” then stick to writing code. Waking up every day for years and having to promote stuff will drive you crazy.

Developers are good at building value.

But value has to be communicated to people.

It has to be sold. That’s why, no matter how much you hate salespeople just having coffee with "potential customers" and getting paid for it, they still make good money—very good money—sometimes even more than developers.

Building is one thing. Selling is another.

Any company needs both. Startups need more selling than building.

My advice?

Keep the main thing the main thing.

Focus on getting a damn job. Learn how to nail the technical interview, and learn how to sell yourself even if you don’t have experience.

Learn how to be a good developer.

Ten years from now when your inbox is full of job requests, you have cash in the bank and React bores the hell out of you, partner with a great salesperson and build your company if that’s what moves you.

Or you can just ditch all that and start a family. Or travel the world. Or become a world known piano player. It doesn't matter. By that time you will be so well off. Your coding skills will keep you financially safe. Even if you stop coding.

Okay, now the occasional call to action.

I want you to help me.

Help me, help you!

If you are a JavaScript developer and you think 1) that you could be a fit for our Mentorship Program and 2)  you are willing to invest the time, energy, and money into something like this... Then stop procrastinating and book a call with me <https://www.theseniordev.com/apply> here before the spots fill up and we raise prices.

Yes, we are about to raise prices at the end of this month. Not because of inflation but because the return on investment developers get after going through our program is way beyond the current pricing.

Now, that’s an excellent offer.

Take advantage of it and book a chat with me now! <https://www.theseniordev.com/apply>

Take care, Dragos

P.S. A Few Essentials For Your Dev Journey ❤️

Do you want me and my team to mentor you to the Senior level and beyond? Apply here now to see if you qualify <https://codewithdragos.lt.acemlna.com/Prod/link-tracker?notrack=1&notrack=1&redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cudGhlc2VuaW9yZGV2LmNvbSUyRmFwcGx5&sig=2qyMqCQoMKNmYBTjp2a5rtn8bf1UZbHYk3sU3bwCFhsW&iat=1697184389&a=%7C%7C800447491%7C%7C&account=codewithdragos%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&email=Op6Da9UzS%2FKUTh3P7nEj4s5uZqkSleI3CIp%2FXmvcSOdc%2BP4sE0Z3%3AvVR3Buppql67vOPF1H54spMJ8l%2BauQqB&s=6aecc05bc364181b57917622fb75f0bf&i=371A405A2A1294> for the Software Mastery Mentorship (limited spots).

Are you a JavaScript Developer looking to move to the next level with quality resources, feedback, and accountability? Join the Free Community - The Senior Dev Academy <https://codewithdragos.lt.acemlna.com/Prod/link-tracker?notrack=1&redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuc2tvb2wuY29tJTJGdGhlc2VuaW9yZGV2LWFjYWRlbXklM0ZpbnZpdGUlM0Q4NjQ5YzI0ZGUxZDk0YWJlOWQ1ZTk3YmM1M2VjODIzZQ==&sig=2RXVfktg4UpsUgJvMNSq7DVgjizXKvhH8fWuPpt8dsVe&iat=1697456994&a=%7C%7C800447491%7C%7C&account=codewithdragos%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&email=KBJGKDJxq0%2BJ5nellGsknBARh0Lxqji3ZSizwyyrAw8yW%2BI442Oc%3AUqBaXAwaewEjqEGREvQO0qV%2Fb%2BYrYE08&s=6aecc05bc364181b57917622fb75f0bf&i=372A406A2A1305> by completing the application.

Looking for a step-by-step roadmap to Senior Level? Here is the most in-depth Guide On How To Get To Senior Developer <https://codewithdragos.lt.acemlna.com/Prod/link-tracker?notrack=1&notrack=1&redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkb2NzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20lMkZkb2N1bWVudCUyRmQlMkYxZHpKb2l1YUtTVWVVamdvZHFYWU5ZSnE0N04xdC1uZHBuUHQ3Mm9lU2dNUSUyRmVkaXQlM0Z1c3AlM0RzaGFyaW5n&sig=7QSsunyK596Fr284D4vkZ6GbtguKajUt7sUmRzap3oLH&iat=1697184389&a=%7C%7C800447491%7C%7C&account=codewithdragos%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&email=Op6Da9UzS%2FKUTh3P7nEj4s5uZqkSleI3CIp%2FXmvcSOdc%2BP4sE0Z3%3AvVR3Buppql67vOPF1H54spMJ8l%2BauQqB&s=6aecc05bc364181b57917622fb75f0bf&i=371A405A2A1291>.

Want to add some extra 20k...30k to your salary? Here is a guide on How to Land A Highly Paid Developer Job In Today's Ruthless Market <https://codewithdragos.lt.acemlna.com/Prod/link-tracker?notrack=1&notrack=1&redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkb2NzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20lMkZkb2N1bWVudCUyRmQlMkYxWHR6ZFN4UERGLVdWYVo1TGZfNG53cGJOWWtVWE1BbTFDcGFwSVo1OTM0SSUyRmVkaXQlM0Z1c3AlM0RzaGFyaW5n&sig=22R4XworjzpSyVZszHpsKCH4i68Z1ewki2JUF5wyUptK&iat=1697184389&a=%7C%7C800447491%7C%7C&account=codewithdragos%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&email=Op6Da9UzS%2FKUTh3P7nEj4s5uZqkSleI3CIp%2FXmvcSOdc%2BP4sE0Z3%3AvVR3Buppql67vOPF1H54spMJ8l%2BauQqB&s=6aecc05bc364181b57917622fb75f0bf&i=371A405A2A1292>.

Curious about your technical gaps? Take our Free Technical Assessment <https://codewithdragos.lt.acemlna.com/Prod/link-tracker?notrack=1&notrack=1&redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cudGhlc2VuaW9yZGV2LmNvbSUyRmZyZWUtdGVjaG5pY2FsLWFzc2Vzc21lbnQ=&sig=HzFYNszYUJFmbo57TgxdhSWJCLySHDov8Bje88rHi65J&iat=1697184389&a=%7C%7C800447491%7C%7C&account=codewithdragos%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&email=Op6Da9UzS%2FKUTh3P7nEj4s5uZqkSleI3CIp%2FXmvcSOdc%2BP4sE0Z3%3AvVR3Buppql67vOPF1H54spMJ8l%2BauQqB&s=6aecc05bc364181b57917622fb75f0bf&i=371A405A2A1293> to find out what they are.