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Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

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Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#581

Post by johnh-hn »

hypito wrote: post #468
johnh-hn wrote: post #255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had one idea in mind for a few years now. It's outside of my normal skill set so it's risky to pursue at the moment. But maybe I should start putting a little time into it even if it's just to help recharge my batteries somewhat.

A11y is a field with a high economic potential and with an incredibly supportive community. For recharging batteries, I warmly recommend to join the A11y Slack: use its search function, explore your idea further, or find interesting new contacts. I’ve requested an invite link for you. When it gets accepted, you should get an email – feel free to click (or ignore) it!

Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#583

Post by mrbombastic »

johnh-hn wrote: post #580
mrbombastic wrote: post #492

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fwiw and you probably know but being almost legally blind puts you in a protected class, most employers would make exceptions to allow you to do your job. And it would be entirely reasonable to say that you need speech to text tools to work and don’t want to bother other coworkers. Edit: was speaking from a US perspective before realizing you were in the UK, but would be surprised if you didn’t have even better prote…

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for the consideration and for your research too. I am actually largely fine with development as a whole. I've created many workarounds that make working about as comfortable as it can be. My current problem is different: getting interviews at all.

no worries, I kind of figured you had this all figured out already re: dev workflow.

Wishing your best of luck on your search in any case.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#584

Post by kcplate »

sanswork wrote: post #574
kcplate wrote: post #513

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Have you asked past bosses… I am not the original commenter but I think something that younger people forget is that when you reach 2 decades or more into your career, your network starts to dry up for you. This is in addition to your skillsets and work cultural fit being suspect because of your experience and age (set in their ways, old thinking, etc…). I have been in tech for nearly 40 years. Almost every one of…

Surely your current boss or recent colleagues aren't out of the market though. I've been developing for over 25 years and my early bosses are almost certainly retired but I still have connections from back then in colleagues that are still wording I could reach out to. Unless you stopped interacting 40 years ago you should still have current people regardless of time in the industry.

How much do you interact with colleagues from 2000 and how much do they really know about your current capabilities? Probably nothing or minimal…”he was a helluva cobol dev back in ‘00” doesn’t sound like a valuable reference if I am a hiring manager in 2025 looking for a Rust dev.

Current colleagues and bosses would have to cycle out themselves and land elsewhere before they will be a help as a network resource.

Also, for current colleagues—-consider the case if your whole team gets RIF’d. At that point they are no longer your colleague, nor really a good network resource until they land. What they are is a competitor and a competitor likely similarly skilled as you, competing for the same roles that you are.

Your best network resources don’t currently work with you, but are secure in a gig, and someone you have worked with or for in the last 3-5 years.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#586

Post by sanswork »

kcplate wrote: post #584
sanswork wrote: post #574

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Surely your current boss or recent colleagues aren't out of the market though. I've been developing for over 25 years and my early bosses are almost certainly retired but I still have connections from back then in colleagues that are still wording I could reach out to. Unless you stopped interacting 40 years ago you should still have current people regardless of time in the industry.

How much do you interact with colleagues from 2000 and how much do they really know about your current capabilities? Probably nothing or minimal…”he was a helluva cobol dev back in ‘00” doesn’t sound like a valuable reference if I am a hiring manager in 2025 looking for a Rust dev. Current colleagues and bosses would have to cycle out themselves and land elsewhere before they will be a help as a network resource. Als…

Old connections can still be helpful even if they don't know your current skills as long as they can assess what kind of worker you are. I've personally recommended people I worked with 17 years ago because I can remember how valuable they were with no consideration given to current specific skills. I currently regularly speak with 3 people I worked with over 20 years ago and check in annually with another half dozen or so.

If you don't keep any connections with your previous colleagues then you are self limiting your career options. But the second best time to plant a tree...

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#590

Post by pagei »

I am probably totally wrong but to me personally It seems like the loudest voices on tech unemployment come from two camps: - fresh grads with limited experience - seasoned specialists used to high salaries and status. Both groups seem to have a tough time in today's changed market.

While I'm not unemployed, I've followed the layoffs and salary trends. I keep wondering whether holding out for old salary levels is a big reason some people stay on the sidelines. The "golden age" of huge tech compensation feels over, and the market has normalized a lot.

Does long-term unemployment partly come from struggles to reset expectations, especially for those anchored to past highs? It's tough to accept less. I'm already preparing to apply for jobs with much lower pay if it comes to that. It's not great, but shelter and food for my family will always come first.

Curious if others see it the same way.

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