[throwaway284534]

If it’s any consolation, I haven’t gotten any favors as a trans woman, even with “passing privilege.” Both myself and the cis women in tech I know all hear the same thing: companies are tipping the scales to favor diversity hires. But in truth it seems to be a marketing tactic rather than a hiring strategy.

It’s quite bizarre at all levels — I often receive invitations from recruiters to apply to “women led startups”, but when I ask why I’m qualified there’s no real explanation other than I’m a woman who owns a computer. The same seems to be true of female founded startups. Doesn’t matter what the role is or what’s being built — Does she use a computer while in an office building? That’s women in tech! The purpose of most of these interviews is really about manufacturing consent: “It’s just too hard to hire women! Just look how hard we’ve tried!” I’m all for incentivizing under represented groups, but it wouldn’t be so bad if the phrase “women in tech” was short hand for “women who have written a lot code” and less about “brave women who uses their yonic powers to guide the brutish male code monkeys.” Attend a FAANG sponsored women centric event and you’ll see that I’m only exaggerating a little bit.

Ironically, my transition has been something like a rendition of Gift of the Magi: The more passable I became, the less experienced I was perceived by my peers. And worse, what was once thought of as confident display of technical ability is now seen as a lack of demure. Insecurity runs deep in this industry.

IMO the hiring problem isn’t about gender or race. It’s the fact that tech doesn’t have the luxury of an economic environment where all the money is imaginary. There’s really no era quite like the last two decades. Tech companies could burn through billions of dollars on intangible assets with no immediate need for deliverables. As the perception of innovation diminishes, companies feigned cutting edge leadership by leaning into the virtues, and as a byproduct, having the employees fight over who’s more oppressed.

I think everyone here has questioned if their skill set is actually worth their salary. “Sure, sometimes it’s a free ride, but those hard sprints are really why I’m paid six figures!” — It’s explanations like that which let software engineers hit the snooze bar on whether their employer’s solvency is transitive of their technical expertise, or rather just two decades of zero interest rate policies. It’s likely a little bit of the former and a lot more of the latter.

IMO most engineers are looking through the wrong end of the telescope, trying to find a job like the dating you do when you’re looking for a comfortable but uncommitted relationship. That time is over and our jobs are now akin to the blue collar trades who’s customers have a clear idea of what they’re paying you for, rather than a vague set of technical skills that might be worth exploring on their dime.

[jfil]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

To add to your ZIRP point: I find it bizarre that tech companies are still valued at 10x their revenue in the stockmarket. The multiple is a high-tech premium... because computer technology is new and therefore every business that involves computers is high-growth?

We don't pay crazy multiples for businesses that use electricity or telephones. Why should we pay them for tech? Soon all these high-tech companies are going to have valuation multiples like manufacturers, logistics companies and fast-food chains.

[kragen]

> The more passable I became, the less experienced I was perceived by my peers. And worse, what was once thought of as confident display of technical ability is now seen as a lack of demure.

This is very valuable information, thank you. Most of us only ever have the chance to experience the situation from the vantage point of one gender. Are you in the US, or what?

[throwaway284534]

Much appreciated. I’m US based, but I travel a lot for work. It’s a blessing to have a wider perspective on gender roles, especially with so much of the journey now in the rear view mirror. AFAIK there’s no lower rung on the corporate ladder than a sad partially-baked trans person. Hormones are cheap but a remote tech job with a decent salary can make a transition affordable without jeopardizing your career, socioeconomic trends withstanding.

Sadly there are many ways to experience negative social expectations at work. Several of my formerly heavy-set colleagues have observed the perception of their competence being a result of their weight loss. Most of the cis men I know use a combination of testosterone, Ozempic, hair plugs, lifts in their shoes, etc.

I don’t blame them; Perception is everything.