GoKawiilVeteran Ruby developer announces exit from tech after 24 job rejections
A developer with 20 years of experience, known for maintaining popular Ruby packages and writing programming books, says he has applied to more than three dozen jobs and received 24 rejections. Citing the toll of repeated rejection on his mental health, he says he is stepping away from the tech industry. He also notes that remote work from his home in Warrnambool, where he has worked for six years, appears incompatible with current hiring expectations.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The account points to a broader tension in tech hiring, where companies increasingly expect candidates to demonstrate AI-driven productivity gains that, as the author argues, nobody has clearly defined or proven. It also highlights how return-to-office or hybrid expectations may be excluding experienced remote workers outside major cities, a dynamic that could be affecting other veteran developers in similar regional or remote situations. The post reflects one individual's experience and should be read as a personal account rather than industry-wide data.
- A 20-year developer reports 24 rejections out of more than three dozen job applications.
- He cites unclear industry expectations around AI skills as a barrier to hiring.
- Remote work constraints from his regional location reportedly limit his job options further.
Source: ryanbigg.com, 2026-10-13
Published there as: “Leaving Tech”
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