[bearclough]

Sorry, I think I'm a bit of a cynic and a bit burned out. There seems to be at least an expectation in the tech industry of having to maintain certain after hours activities to make one self marketable. Personally having a 50+ hour a week day job + side projects + studying + leveling up in order to find new employment is exhausting .... I'm just concerned adding another implied responsibility to a candidates plate seems overwhelming.

But, if someone loves to play CTFs and is seeking employment than its a great match. Me personally I'm a build things I want to see in the world and the job will come ... kind of person.

[larrys]

"expectation in the tech industry of having to maintain certain after hours activities to make one self marketable"

On hacker news you are getting a very small slice of the tech industry. And by reading HN you are subjected to repeated attempts to make you think there is a clear way to be marketable and to earn a living. Rest assured that there are people in tech that the HN crowd makes fun of that are earning fine livings and enjoying their jobs.

[dsp1234]

I work in a beautiful non-SV city, earn six figures, and enjoy my job. I am a Classic ASP developer.

[grumblestumble]

Also, rest assured that for the overwhelming majority of competent, smart tech workers, only a tiny percentage have heard of HN, and a tiny percentage of that slice view it as something to be taken seriously. For most, there is no difference between Hacker News and https://twitter.com/ViceHN.

[jay_kyburz]

I think you should be talking to you current employer about setting aside some of your current work time to training. One or two days a month for you study / explore technologies that will grow your skills and therefore the skills the company can draw on.