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Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

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Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#211

Post by soulnothing »

Not laid off from this, but I was last Oct. Unemployed for three months, started in January. Realized I didn't fit with the team and just took a new short term contract. That caused me to burn through some of my savings. It's been one thing after the other recently.

I'm really nervous after this contract is up. I already didn't see anything in the market. Most recruiters, and even jobs told me I was too senior for what they were looking for, or to expensive. Even cutting my rates drastically and going for mid level / entry level engineering positions. Or reducing my resume.

I'm looking at my burn rate and have about four months, right now. Honestly I was looking at getting out of software all together after last October. Every project I've been on is shuttered due to budget, or outsourced. Every six months or so looking for new work, now this.

My inbox is still being hit up with roles in NYC, San Fran, Seattle on site / on premise. I don't know if they'll come to fruition. I just worry about volatility. I just find it odd to see people still hiring.

Hope everyone is safe out there, and can keep the bare essentials running.

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#212

Post by ellyagg »

tcgv wrote: post #182
eropple wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But in February, there wasn't any sign of an economic downturn. Everyone was enjoying the bull market. First: I’m super sorry about what you’re going through and I hope things work out with your new employer. Second: I worry that “nobody could have known” will be the narrative. A very large portion of my circles was aware that COVID was about to explode and that the prevention measures would either drastically slow…

> A very large portion of my circles was aware that COVID was about to explode (...) Your circles seem to be the exception then. There are a lot of factors that affect personal perception of such matters, like proximity to inflicted areas, professional background (ex: medical), experiencing similar events in the past, etc. In hindsight it seems obvious that the world wasn't paying attention. But it took until Februar…

He's probably talking about the rationalist community, and people did.

https://twitter.com/ESYudkowsky/status/1233174331133284353

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#213

Post by [deleted] »

juliusx wrote: post #137
lynnetye wrote: post #25

I'm the founder of Key Values, which helps software engineers find teams that share their values. Not only do I live in the Bay Area and have many founder friends, but it is also my full-time job to connect tech startups that are hiring w/ devs looking for new roles, so I think I have a good view on this. I'm still gathering information on how coronavirus is impacting the job market, but what I know now is that many…

This project looks useful, but I don't see any conservative values. What if someone values monoculturalism?

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#214

Post by aladine »

I am in the same fate. My company has teams in Melbourne and San Diego. The whole team in Melbourne office get laid off just 2 weeks ago.

I am working in Australia but with working visa. So it is urgent for me to find a work within 60 days. Getting a job will be harder this time due to the fact that not all the companies I applied can sponsor visa for applicants.

But I am still keep my faith. There will be jobs available and even in the worst case, I could take a time off to spend more time with my family.

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#215

Post by [deleted] »

nogabebop23 wrote: post #176
earthtourist wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not a lawyer, but I wonder if you couldn't sue if they withdraw the offer. Seems like a case of detrimental reliance or promissory estoppel. Again, not a lawyer and surely depends on which jurisdiction you're in. Also, you could post on HN if they do withdraw the offer during this outbreak, so other people would know they suck.

>> Also, you could post on HN if they do withdraw the offer during this outbreak, so other people would know they suck. So every company that lays off an employee "sucks"? I guess you're welcome to stay and work for free, but if they don't have money to pay you what are they supposed to do? I agree this situation is terrible for the OP, but I don't think we need to name and shame every company that makes a prudent de…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#217

Post by junkilo »

my new company just withdrew their offer (I started in a couple weeks) and I just left my previous gig (AV startup). backend+infra full stack python/go stuff

the new company's revenue went from 7 figures+ a month to 0 because of the virus and they are rightly freaking out

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#218

Post by deckard1 »

codingdave wrote: post #103
Frost1x wrote: post #57

It's going to get bloody out there soon. Minimize your expenses if you don't already do this. The market was already fairly saturated from what I inferred last year when I jumped ship during a move. Most organizations did not appear to be seriously hiring, they were hunting for a labor bargain or someone to add to their future contact list for quick turnaround when demand rose. If you didn't think it was an employers…

I can second that - I'm not actively looking to move, but I get recruiters who contact me, and always tell them politely what it would take to inspire me to consider a move, which amounts to an above-market raise. A year ago, they at least would entertain my requirements and push a bit, maybe ask the hiring manager if the salary could go higher. Recently, though, I get quick replies of 'Nope, we're not a match'.

yeah, this has been my experience over the past few months. Luckily I'm only on the fence as to whether I want to switch jobs right now. I've been very take-it-or-leave it.

> always tell them politely what it would take to inspire me to consider a move, which amounts to an above-market raise

Same. Recently a recruiter really pissed me off. He flatly stated that this company was "willing to pay." There were no limits. Of course, I was skeptical. The ballpark he kept repeating to me sounded fine. Interview went great. The feedback from the company: "we're not willing to pay anywhere near that." I passed the interview apparently, but did not fall into their desired salary range. A huge WTF all around. It was their advertised range for crying out loud.

Either the company was kicking the tires and wasting my time (they rescheduled the interview twice, so I suspect they weren't interested at all), or the recruiter was a liar. It's possible they both wanted to see if I would bend and become a bargain.

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#219

Post by rpastuszak »

Rebles wrote: post #44

At the beginning of the year, I decided it was time to find a new job after 10 years with my employer. I spent February doing interview prep and conducting interviews. Back then, the COVID-19 was mostly limited to China, markets and governments weren't terribly concerned about COVID-19. I accept a job offer, put in my two weeks notice, and my last day at was last Friday. Hardly anyone was seriously concerned about CO…

I quit my job in mid January because of burnout, left London for a couple of weeks and came back this Sunday.

I’m looking for remote roles exclusively. Now I’m not sure if the timing is perfect or just plain terrible:)

Also, I stopped reading the news. I just don’t think refreshing Twitter every 10 min whilst self isolating can be good to your mental health.

Re: Ask HN: Have you been laid off?

#220

Post by OJFord »

nogabebop23 wrote: post #176
earthtourist wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not a lawyer, but I wonder if you couldn't sue if they withdraw the offer. Seems like a case of detrimental reliance or promissory estoppel. Again, not a lawyer and surely depends on which jurisdiction you're in. Also, you could post on HN if they do withdraw the offer during this outbreak, so other people would know they suck.

>> Also, you could post on HN if they do withdraw the offer during this outbreak, so other people would know they suck. So every company that lays off an employee "sucks"? I guess you're welcome to stay and work for free, but if they don't have money to pay you what are they supposed to do? I agree this situation is terrible for the OP, but I don't think we need to name and shame every company that makes a prudent de…

GP said that in reference to rescinding a job offer after notice given, new job accepted, and old job left, not a 'layoff' exactly.
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