Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#21

Post by aynyc » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 2:04 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #7

Because I can't. There aren't a ton of open positions in my area right now. I've been in obscure/obsolete tech for too long (neoxam and filenet). I have a family to support, so I need the pay and benefits. Otherwise, I would probably leave tech for something like construction. I'm tired of the unrealistic expectations.

I was in similar position like you. Niche technology stack and while I was gainfully employed, the prospect didn't look good in that I could get a similar job in similar industry, but I would not enjoy it at all. I spent about 2 years and rebuild my entire stack. Prior to that, I was all proprietary technology. I focused on Python and AWS. So about 18 months ago, I managed to get a job with a highly respected company, same pay, better career track. Don't give up, you'll get there.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#22

Post by cpach » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 3:05 PM UTC

DaiPlusPlus wrote: post #12

45 days PTO (in the US)

Sounds like a pretty good deal :)

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#23

Post by blaser-waffle » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 3:12 PM UTC

* Already made a lot of jumps in the past 5 years -- don't want to get pigeonholed as a jumper or mercenary or "hard to work with"; I've already gotten the 20% raises by jumping a few times, time to chill

* Apropos of the above, current salary and bennies are decent, bonus potential is great; no reason to rock the boat now

* Work teams are a mess at times but are tolerable enough. Being 100% remote at this point is cool. Better the devil you know, etc.

* Looking to buy a house and have a kid/kids soon, would rather focus on home life for now before creating additional wrinkles

* Been using a lot of different technologies over the past 5-7 years, "jack-of-all" but no mastery. I'd like to specialize a little more and go deep into a stack/language/skill-set. Easier to be at one place and focus on getting fluency and skill then throwing more complications into things.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#24

Post by blaser-waffle » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 3:13 PM UTC

kleer001 wrote: post #10

Because I've been in my career for 20 years and am in a good place. I have moved jobs, a lot. What I wish I knew back then was that being "staff" could (and likely should) be carried over to the next company.

What do you mean by "staff"?

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#25

Post by giantg2 » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 3:48 PM UTC

aynyc wrote: post #21

giantg2 wrote: post #7

Because I can't. There aren't a ton of open positions in my area right now. I've been in obscure/obsolete tech for too long (neoxam and filenet). I have a family to support, so I need the pay and benefits. Otherwise, I would probably leave tech for something like construction. I'm tired of the unrealistic expectations.

I was in similar position like you. Niche technology stack and while I was gainfully employed, the prospect didn't look good in that I could get a similar job in similar industry, but I would not enjoy it at all. I spent about 2 years and rebuild my entire stack. Prior to that, I was all proprietary technology. I focused on Python and AWS. So about 18 months ago, I managed to get a job with a highly respected company…

I have AWS certs and basic Python knowledge. I think I'd be better off just getting an hourly job in a different industry. All companies do is screw over salaried workers.

For example, to get promoted I would need to work a 9 hour day instead of 8 hours. I put in extra time when needed, like for elevations and stuff, but I'm talking about consistently working a minimum of 9 hours. That's a 12% increase in my minimum daily work time for only a 7% raise. How stupid do they think people are?

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#26

Post by giantg2 » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 3:57 PM UTC

aynyc wrote: post #21

giantg2 wrote: post #7

Because I can't. There aren't a ton of open positions in my area right now. I've been in obscure/obsolete tech for too long (neoxam and filenet). I have a family to support, so I need the pay and benefits. Otherwise, I would probably leave tech for something like construction. I'm tired of the unrealistic expectations.

I was in similar position like you. Niche technology stack and while I was gainfully employed, the prospect didn't look good in that I could get a similar job in similar industry, but I would not enjoy it at all. I spent about 2 years and rebuild my entire stack. Prior to that, I was all proprietary technology. I focused on Python and AWS. So about 18 months ago, I managed to get a job with a highly respected company…

And I just moved to a team that uses AWS and some Python a couple months ago. It's terrible. I get all the shitty stories, we don't really build anything (mostly data replication work with very little coding), and I have no motivation/morale after about 2 weeks WFH. They don't teach you anything or even provide any growth opportunities. I'm tired of restarting my career every few years because the company decides to outsource or whatever. I just hope I don't get fired. If I can just work 5 more years I could probably refinance the house and get a job at Lowes or Walmart.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#27

Post by aynyc » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 5:37 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #26

aynyc wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was in similar position like you. Niche technology stack and while I was gainfully employed, the prospect didn't look good in that I could get a similar job in similar industry, but I would not enjoy it at all. I spent about 2 years and rebuild my entire stack. Prior to that, I was all proprietary technology. I focused on Python and AWS. So about 18 months ago, I managed to get a job with a highly respected company…

And I just moved to a team that uses AWS and some Python a couple months ago. It's terrible. I get all the shitty stories, we don't really build anything (mostly data replication work with very little coding), and I have no motivation/morale after about 2 weeks WFH. They don't teach you anything or even provide any growth opportunities. I'm tired of restarting my career every few years because the company decides to…

I don't know where you are. But Python and AWS are all the rage and hype these days. You should be able to get a new job. don't give up.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#28

Post by idoh » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 6:03 PM UTC

I really like my boss, if the trade is a known great manager v rolling the dice plus more money, I’ll pick the manager. I haven’t always felt this way, but I value it now.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#29

Post by aprdm » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 6:26 PM UTC

I like my boss, team and company culture. I also care about their end product (am a consumer myself) and have a lot of say in the technical direction of the company at large.

I am likely making 1/2 of what I could be making if I moved to a FAANG and I am pretty OK with it. Is still plenty to live and save well.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you switching jobs?

#30

Post by decafninja » Fri, Jun 19, 2020, 6:42 PM UTC

Short answer: Because I need to grind more leetcode.

Longer answer: I like my team and manager, although not my company and org (non-tech company), and the work has become very unchallenging.

But if I make a change, I want it to be to a company that will give me a significant benefit in terms of some combo of compensation, work, culture, and prestige. If I'm only going to get a 10%-20% raise but end up with a bad team or manager, I don't feel it's worth it.

...hence, I need to grind more leetcode, because all of the companies I feel worth jumping to are heavily gatekeeped by leetcode interviews.