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Should I go ahead with the job?

 
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Hi! I couldnt find a suitable section to post this, so apologies if i posted in the wrong place.

I have been a loyal Java programmer for the last 7 years. Although I have no real world experience in programming but Java was the language
of choice for almost all my programming attempts, including my major academic project.

The problem is I've been jobless for a good three years and there has also been a gap in my academic career owing to a personal crisis in life.
Now that I'm done with my problems I cannot find a technical job as I wish for. After a long search I finally got a call from a technical company
where they are willing to induct me as a fresher. The only issue is that they are into Ruby on Rails. Although, the prospect of learning a new
language is exciting, I wonder whether all my Java expertise and two Java certifications(OCPJP AND OCWCD) will be all for naught. Will I ever
be able to make use of my Java knowledge in my professional life or will I be forever stuck in a non-Java world? Can anyone suggest to me
what should be my decision. Thanks.
 
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I guess you missed our Jobs Discussion forum at the bottom of the forum list. Moving this thread to it. (Except Matthew Brown beat me to it )
 
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Congratulations on the offer

You will have to make your own mind up, but I would suggest
  • Programming experience is transferrable from language to language.
  • You can keep up your interest in Java™ on the side.
  • It is insulting to the potential employer for you to turn the job down.
  • You are much more likely to be able to find a new job from an old job, because of current experience, and . . .
  • You can hardly afford to be without a job.
  • I cannot decide for you; that has to be your decision. But if it were I, I should accept the job.

    You ought to ensure there is adequate training and support, however, and use this as good experience.
     
    lowercase baba
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    Campbell Ritchie wrote:

  • It is insulting to the potential employer for you to turn the job down.

  • I disagree with this point, but otherwise I think you are spot-on.
     
    Rob Spoor
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    I too disagree. If an offer simply isn't what you want, should you accept and be miserable? Unless you phrase it badly the employer will understand, and look for someone else.

    If the language is the only thing holding you back I would probably take the job. Unless the language is something evil like Visual Basic or ASP (both .NET or old-style)
     
    Campbell Ritchie
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    It was only a suggestion. When I was at the hospital it was definitely not the done thing to turn down a job offer. You were allowed to say you wouldn't take the job even a few seconds before they made the offer, but once the offer was made, it was custom to accept.

    Anyway, I cannot make the decision for him, but if it were I, I'd think it daft to turn down such a job.

    Now what would you have said about a C# job ?
     
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    If i were you, i would take the job and keep doing something in Java on the side. Switching jobs is easy when compared to finding one with 3 years of gap. Once you get started with this job, there will be sea of opportunities to choose from in the future!
     
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    programming skills are transferrable from one language to other. Nothing beats hands-on experience. If I were you, I would go for it.
     
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    I would take the job, You are in a far better position, to get other offers ( Maybe Java ) if you already have a job.
     
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    Were you jobless for 3 years before this offer?
    If technical job is only what you prefer, then I would suggest take whatever comes in now and later you can switch over, may be another job, may be another skill set. If you want to keep moving on a track, first make sure you are moving.
     
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    Campbell Ritchie wrote:Now what would you have said about a C# job ?


    C# is a nice programming language, being based on existing great languages (C++, Java). I've used it and quite liked it. Of course not as much as Java, but still.
     
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    Campbell Ritchie wrote:
    Anyway, I cannot make the decision for him, but if it were I, I'd think it daft to turn down such a job.



    Agreed. This is not exactly a hard decision.

    No real world experience. Unemployed for the last three years. Gap in education. And the offer is to work in what is the most popular language/framework used by start-ups today.

    Henry
     
    Rahul Saple
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    Alright the matter has been resolved. But not as was expected. I couldnt get past the 3rd round. Hoping for a better next time. Thanks to all who replied.
     
    Henry Wong
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    Rahul Saple wrote:Alright the matter has been resolved. But not as was expected. I couldnt get past the 3rd round. Hoping for a better next time. Thanks to all who replied.



    Hopefully, it wasn't this doubt / confusion that cause it. Sometimes, fairly or unfairly, the company senses it as being uninterested, and decide to cut-their-loses during the interview process.

    Better luck next time...
    Henry
     
    Campbell Ritchie
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    Henry Wong wrote: . . . Better luck next time...
    Henry

    Agree.
     
    Rahul Saple
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    Hopefully, it wasn't this doubt / confusion that cause it. Sometimes, fairly or unfairly, the company senses it as being uninterested, and decide to cut-their-loses during the interview process.



    No it wasn't that. The third round comprised of C++, SQL and some web related(HTML, CSS) descriptive questions which I wasn't aware of. Before going for the 2nd and the 3rd round I was told there would only be objective questions.
    It had been a long time since I had studied the said topics during my graduation years and was unprepared for the 3rd round frankly. However, I sometimes feel that the company expected too much from a fresher.

    Thank you all for the wishes. Have a nice day.
     
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