Ask HN: So I'm being let go

Being a Jack of all trades can be an asset in a startup, specially in your case for a role in marketing/advertising.

I once faced the same situation, albeit with kids and a mortgage. Leverage your development background but get a project management certification and start leading some of those younger grads that will need your guidance. Not only will it offer job security, it could be a rather substantial boost in pay as well. That's the path I followed, prior to becoming an entrepreneur at least - where nothing is ever of any certainty, and, even then, I find myself dealing with it a lot better than I ever thought I would.

The one thing I always tell anyone on the job hunt, which few ever seem to take me up on: Informational Interviews.

These are informal "can I take you out to coffee?" talks with people in your industry to see what they are working on, what is happening with them, what is going on in the industry. Every job I have ever gotten is through informal meetings with people I have met through my network (whether its the current newspaper, your friends, parents, relatives, or other).

At the end of every one I ask: "Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?" and "Do you currently have any opportunities at your company for me?". Rinse repeat.

I guarantee investing in 30 informational interviews will yield huge dividends vs. 30 career fairs, a personal pitch deck, starting a blog, dusting off your resume, or God Forbid: applying to jobs through Linkedin.

I went thru a round of something like this, where I had been a developer+copywriter+editor+salesman for en early internet biz.

While I have a degree related to my field, I found that the network I had built up over the years, thru sales and communicating with people while editing and fact checking, was the path to my next bit of employment.

tl;dr: don't forget that 10 years of relationship building!

Disclaimer: Twice your age and just getting warmed up.

So I'm being let go

Congratulations. Being let go can sometimes be a badge of honor. Anyone who has never been let go has never pushed the envelope enough.

After 10 years at my local newspaper

Wow, that's way too long for anyone, anywhere. Be glad that this is working out that way for you. It's not the 10 years at one place that's the problem, it's all the other stuff you missed by being in that shelter. Now's your chance to discover cool things you may have missed.

I'm nervous, scared, and somewhat excited.

Change "somewhat" to "very". You should be.

I'm competing with younger, new grads.

No, you're not and you shouldn't think of it that way. There's plenty to go around for everyone.

it will force me out of my comfort zone

Good! That's the best way to grow.

I'm a jack of all trades master of none.

So am I. And it's worked very, very well for me. We have too many specialists and not nearly enough people who can visualize the forest and the trees at the same time. They are the ones who make big things happen.

I've always taken that as an insult rather than a compliment.

Wrong. See above.

So HN, what advice do you have for a 30 year old who's about to embark on a new adventure?

Have fun. Stop worrying. Find something you love and give it a shot. At 30, you're still a baby and you have opportunities that you may not have in 5 or 10 years. This is a blessing in disguise. Treat it that way.