[fiat_fandango]

Could be worse, also 28 and I just got laid off after my first year of being a technical product manager. I have a somewhat scattered three years of dev experience prior, although around 2yrs was my longest stint.

Been applying to jobs for about five weeks and other than a few interviews nothing has kicked back. Either no response or flat out denied, contemplating just re-learning a bunch of leetcode stuff I hate. All of my friends make north of $200k and I've just been floundering.

Future does not seem bright - clearly my track record is a black mark of some kind.

Hope things get better for you my friend.

[doublerabbit]

Even if your getting a few interviews is something then nothing. How are you approaching these interviews?

Your track record is not a black mark, it's just a busy market out there. You have to pitch it just right to get it. Mangle the Tech Product Manager skills with your dev stuff. Interviews are tough and practice beforehand.

Ignore what your friends make because that will sour your mood.

[fiat_fandango]

Tbh, I kind of hated being a TPM - frankly it felt like a fake job and made me miss being technical. Unfortunately, I've just never been able to have the chops for leetcode interviews which is why I took the opp to transition to TPM and gain more leverage.

Fortunately, my friends who are better off are very supportive - in some of these interviews I can't help but think I sound desperate or maybe just annoying.

Thanks for your kind words

[doublerabbit]

I'm bias, but would say to anyone looking for a new job ignore the FANG, leetcode approach. It's not worth the hype anymore. You can always join later with experience which is valued more highly. I wouldn't be surprised that in a few years time they'll be the ones on the firing line.

You've got given experience and an opportunity, you recognise that TPM isn't your thing and that if dev is; move your focus and promote that energy. Code a local project, demonstrate that within an interview. The secret to interviews is blagging.

"I was a TPM, Giving it my best effort I gained the ability to XYZ

But after the year, I found that this wasn't the career path I wished to follow. Dev is more my attitude and recently in my spare time I coded this super-cool time diary using x-lang to brush up my skills. I feel that I can mix both to give the best to the company".

That itself will turn more heads then someone with a piece of paper with FANG stamped on it. It shows you learnt, tried, wanting to learn and move on. Double the knowledge more the experience. There are plenty of jobs outside who will happily hire for the dev.

It won't be the big-bucks as FANG gets you, but money is overrated. Find something that keeps you just less than comfortable. Flushed with cash is nice dream, but the pressure, intensity of it all are all not worth it. With lower paid jobs you'd get you a more laid back environment, control of your destiny and closer experience to real life which you then use as your bargaining chip later on.

I've never wanted to be a corporate cog that when it looses it's teeth is thrown out the back door. The stress isn't worth it.