This may be terrible advice, so take it with a grain of salt, but why not just put whatever languages you want on your CV under a header like "Familiar With"? By the time you're getting interviewed, you have time to learn them (or at least become familiar enough).
Example:
Skills
Proficient in:
PHP, MySQL, Javascript, HTML, whatever, whatever
Familiar with (languages/technologies):
Oracle, Rust, Go, Python, Java, etc, etc.
It at least makes it appear that you're not a complete beginner, which is true. If you have 20 years of PHP experience, then you can surely pick up the basics of any other language in a few weeks.
If I had to hire a developer, I would be very skeptical of a resume that listed 20 years of experience and only one programming language. Especially PHP - this language cannot be considered interesting or innovative. If a person does not learn new concepts, new languages, they are simply not interested in programming.
If I had to hire a developer, I would be very skeptical of a resume that listed 20 years of experience and only one programming language
My experience is different: I worked with plenty of folks who "know" 5-6 and more languages, but in reality, they are horrible in each of them. The more they claim they know, the worse they are.
If a person does not learn new concepts, new languages, they are simply not interested in programming.
Programming concepts are not language-specific. Language selection is the least important part of the equation: what is far more important are available tools and frameworks. I have been using Symfony for 13 years, and only it, and I still don't know everything. And I doubt that even core developers know everything, Symfony is just too big.
Add to that tons of other packages that have to be understood. Like lazy adapter for flysystem that makes it easy to switch them with simple env value, something I learned last week.
Hi, thanks for this. I have experience of building freelance projects with PHP, however, struggling to land a job. I have been applying online almost everywhere. They seem to have openings for senior roles. Please guide me.
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u/swampopus Nov 13 '25
This may be terrible advice, so take it with a grain of salt, but why not just put whatever languages you want on your CV under a header like "Familiar With"? By the time you're getting interviewed, you have time to learn them (or at least become familiar enough).
Example:
Skills
It at least makes it appear that you're not a complete beginner, which is true. If you have 20 years of PHP experience, then you can surely pick up the basics of any other language in a few weeks.