Meanwhile, I had a hard time finding (or getting) a Perl programming job (though I resisted coming to the Bay Area for a long time, so that was likely a significant factor). I've had to settle with other languages (mostly Ruby, Elixir, and now Python professionally, though I did sneak a bit of Perl into the Ruby one ;) ).

Where are y'all based? I'm reasonably happy with my current job, but I'm definitely curious about what else is out there (especially if it's not in the Bay Area).

We are in Greenwich CT close to NYC but we also have an NYC office.

https://careers-interactivebrokers.icims.com/jobs/1777/progr...

I'm a security guy but like to develop as well. I'd apply for a job in Perl any day, despite not knowing it very well and Python being my main language. But I guess it's easy to say when I just read that you're having trouble hiring, as my expectations of entry requirements are now different. Anyway, it's a shame you have to make such a big change for what shouldn't be a big deal. The language is a tool -- I've even written C# in Visual Studio on Windows 8 for a year in two different companies, which is about as Microsoft-oriented as you can get (I'd rather use something Linux-based). Unless there are major deficiencies and the team is looking to move away already, it shouldn't be a problem to adapt to the team's standards.

You haven't tried training them ?

That is what I do now. But I find it easier to migrate older code to Python.