toxic developer jobs

With the job market not doing well, many developers are stuck in bad companies.

This can mean a toxic culture, politics, colleagues who don’t respect your boundaries, blaming, and all kinds of nasty stuff.

Working in a toxic environment can drive you crazy.

It will affect your mental and physical health. It can lead you to burnout. Hell, it can even make you quit software development altogether.

If you can, you are better off switching jobs soon.

But most times, you won’t be able to do that. Maybe because you just joined the company or maybe you are learning new skills so you can be better prepared the next time you look for a job.

You might be forced to hang in there for a while.

How can you survive a toxic environment?

Here are 5 recommendations I give to our mentees when they are stuck in a toxic place:

1. Set clear boundaries

Work the 40 hours that are stated in your contract. Afterward, close the damn laptop and do something else. Take time for yourself. Practice self-care. Go to the gym, or the sauna, or take a walk in the park.

The worst part of toxic places is that they drain all your energy. Don’t let them do so. Set boundaries and have time and space to recharge. You need that energy to survive and to plan your escape plan.

2. Have an escape plan

While you are busy surviving, you should channel whatever energy you have left into putting together a way to get out of the toxic environment.

As a developer this might mean getting over your fears, going out into the job market, and doing some technical interviews. Don’t hope and wait for toxic companies to change…

They won’t!

Get busy improving your skills and get the hell out of there.

3. Keep records of everything

Toxic places are quick to blame and shame when things get nasty. Document your work and progress. This will help you to defend yourself in case of being wrongfully accused of anything. It will also help you improve your documentation skills and it will make you more productive.

4. Stay professional

No matter how hard things get, do not let your emotions push you to do something or say something stupid. Always keep your composure. If you allow what’s happening around you to mess up with your emotions, it will only make things worse!

Keep your cool.

Professionals have thick skins. This is your chance to practice self-control and to accept that life is not fair. You can do your best and still get crap for it. But if you keep your cool, you will survive.

Let others ride the tiger of emotions, sooner or later they will be eaten by it.

Find a mentor

Being in a toxic place will get you to doubt yourself a lot of times. Am I just being crazy or is this person attacking me for no reason? Did I really mess up that code review or was it something else?

Feedback from an external source, like a mentor will help you understand what is exactly going on. Talking with someone will also help you decompress a bit.

I survived one of the worst teams I’ve been in by venting to an external mentor. Their perspective also helped me with my escape plan.

And talking about mentors…

March is just starting and we are looking for 6 ambitious developers who are interested in getting to the next level!

If you want to stay competitive in the current job market, gain complete confidence in your skills, and move to the Senior level faster, this is your chance :)  

But only if you qualify!

One reason why our results are so amazing is we only accept developers that we know for sure we can help. If you want to find out, you can also apply here for a short chat with me and see if you qualify!

Take care,

Dragos