"What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?" Same thing as a person with a social-emotional disability - get screwed. I'm being pushed out of an early career role even though I'm overqualified and producing similar numbers as my peers. I'll end up working at Walmart. Good luck.
Please don't give up and just go work at Walmart If you have the skills, please do your best to keep applying them at a new job It's really important not to let this wear you down and defeat you. You're worth it
Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
41–50 of 50 posts
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would not follow the advice on changing photos because since when does that matter in software related work. But not seeing that profile myself, and assuming you don’t look like dogshit, the rest of the above advice definitely rings true. “Difficulties” and “hot takes” sound like the profile directs someone’s first impression of you in a sour direction. With LI it’s all about conformity and optimism.
> when does that matter in software related work. There is essentially no downside to taking a more professional photo. There is absolutely potential downside to having too casual of a photo (even if it's a silly truth)
OTOH I did get a sales gig a while back and I do look good in my profile. So I’m not advocating bad photos. You should simply look like someone everyone would like to work with and get along. I used a bright city-vacation photo in which I look happy because I really am happy.
But if I were to get a higher position, more responsibility, then a serious conservative professional studio photo might become more appropriate.
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#43Even during great hiring times, the roles you're seeking are often slow to hire and sometimes don't get filled even when there are qualified applicants. There has to be a hand-in-glove fit to the team for these roles to be effective, which means interviews often get delayed because someone key can't be there... then later, another key person is out, and the cycle turns into a crisis and finally interviews happen and…
I would not follow the advice on changing photos because since when does that matter in software related work. But not seeing that profile myself, and assuming you don’t look like dogshit, the rest of the above advice definitely rings true. “Difficulties” and “hot takes” sound like the profile directs someone’s first impression of you in a sour direction. With LI it’s all about conformity and optimism.
It matters for people like OP who are already at a disadvantage. Yes this may not matter to many who are privileged to have a great job and do great work and their employer may not care. But when you are asking to be hired by another company and they don't know how great you are, you need to be presentable in a professional setting.
Overall, we need to stop normalizing being too casual in professional setting. Yes, even as Software Engineers. If all things are equal, I will always pick someone who cares about looking professional for work than not.
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#44Earlier quoted context omitted.
> when does that matter in software related work. There is essentially no downside to taking a more professional photo. There is absolutely potential downside to having too casual of a photo (even if it's a silly truth)
Honestly, for better or for worse, and I think some hard working folks here will agree with this: I don’t want to be invited by companies which prioritize appearances over merit. At least not to that extent. It’s a vibe thing. And too much pro photography can also send a certain message: vanity, narcissism, ambition. OTOH I did get a sales gig a while back and I do look good in my profile. So I’m not advocating bad p…
Easy to say when you may be employed and have a good job. Tell that to OP who is looking for every possible way to get an interview with an employer.
Appearances absolutely matter in a professional setting and even though it should not be the 1st criteria to select someone, it is important.
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#45Even during great hiring times, the roles you're seeking are often slow to hire and sometimes don't get filled even when there are qualified applicants. There has to be a hand-in-glove fit to the team for these roles to be effective, which means interviews often get delayed because someone key can't be there... then later, another key person is out, and the cycle turns into a crisis and finally interviews happen and…
I would not follow the advice on changing photos because since when does that matter in software related work. But not seeing that profile myself, and assuming you don’t look like dogshit, the rest of the above advice definitely rings true. “Difficulties” and “hot takes” sound like the profile directs someone’s first impression of you in a sour direction. With LI it’s all about conformity and optimism.
Then you say you didn't see the profile. Why bother typing all that without even bothering to click? Do you opine on everything you hear other people talking about without looking.
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#46Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would not follow the advice on changing photos because since when does that matter in software related work. But not seeing that profile myself, and assuming you don’t look like dogshit, the rest of the above advice definitely rings true. “Difficulties” and “hot takes” sound like the profile directs someone’s first impression of you in a sour direction. With LI it’s all about conformity and optimism.
> I would not follow the advice on changing photos because since when does that matter in software related work. Then you say you didn't see the profile. Why bother typing all that without even bothering to click? Do you opine on everything you hear other people talking about without looking.
Seeking work puts people in a vulnerable spot and it can be intimidating when someone says “change this” and “change that”. “When I hire people blah blah blah”.
And I’ll take the downvotes over that - I’m not shaming or judging anyone for “bothering to type” something they think brings value into a conversation.
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
Honestly, for better or for worse, and I think some hard working folks here will agree with this: I don’t want to be invited by companies which prioritize appearances over merit. At least not to that extent. It’s a vibe thing. And too much pro photography can also send a certain message: vanity, narcissism, ambition. OTOH I did get a sales gig a while back and I do look good in my profile. So I’m not advocating bad p…
"I don’t want to be invited by companies which prioritize appearances over merit" Easy to say when you may be employed and have a good job. Tell that to OP who is looking for every possible way to get an interview with an employer. Appearances absolutely matter in a professional setting and even though it should not be the 1st criteria to select someone, it is important.
I recently had to endure a job search and did not have a “good job” for longer than I would like. So I’m speaking from recent experience of thinking about the appearances I give off.
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
Am I really being chastised for abbreviating something I’ve been dealing with personally for 51 years? Please don’t tell me you are one of the “allies” making sure we engage in “right speak”.
Yes, because "cp" is code for "child porn".
Re: Ask HN: What is a physiically disabled person to do in this job market?
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
> when does that matter in software related work. There is essentially no downside to taking a more professional photo. There is absolutely potential downside to having too casual of a photo (even if it's a silly truth)
Honestly, for better or for worse, and I think some hard working folks here will agree with this: I don’t want to be invited by companies which prioritize appearances over merit. At least not to that extent. It’s a vibe thing. And too much pro photography can also send a certain message: vanity, narcissism, ambition. OTOH I did get a sales gig a while back and I do look good in my profile. So I’m not advocating bad p…
I don't think that is what is necessarily (or likely) happening. Humans have many subconscious biases, and preferring more professional photos when looking to hire is probably a common one.