Ask HN: Are you ok?

#1

Post by quantumwoke » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 1:54 PM UTC

https://www.ruok.org.au/

My Australian friend just linked this to me and I thought it would be good question to ask HN. IME HN and perhaps software development in general contains a lot of at-risk personalities in stressful work environments that don't get asked this question enough. I think you are all interesting, intelligent, hard-working people and mental health is unfortunately still stigmatised in the tech community. Feel free to ask any coworkers today who have been struggling as well.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#2

Post by foxes » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 1:57 PM UTC

This year has been a real turn around for me, I'm feeling great. I think R U Ok is a great initiative, quite a contrast it seems to America where mental health is more stigmatised. It would be great if something like R U Ok spread elsewhere. Even though a single day might seem shallow and mental health issues develop over a longer time, I think awareness helps. I didn't feel like the reason I didn't speak to anyone else was partly due to stigma.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#3

Post by algaeontoast » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:05 PM UTC

Not really, I’ve been looking for work for about three months after my team at a FANG was let go due to a legal fuck up by my boss.

I’ve been leetcoding but have only passed 3/7 tech screens only to be ghosted for the on-site after a pass or passed up after the on-site.

Starting to question if I was ever creative or really good at this profession - but don’t think I’m skilled enough or have the energy to do my own startup.

I have 2yrs experience, but scared my prior work history will make it look like I jump jobs or can’t hold a job down.

Fortunately, my health and mental health are in check and I have a place to live in the US that’s relatively cheap.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#4

Post by Porthos9K » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:09 PM UTC

If I had ever been OK, I wouldn't have gotten into tech in the first place.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#5

Post by cvaidya1986 » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:09 PM UTC

algaeontoast wrote: post #3

Not really, I’ve been looking for work for about three months after my team at a FANG was let go due to a legal fuck up by my boss. I’ve been leetcoding but have only passed 3/7 tech screens only to be ghosted for the on-site after a pass or passed up after the on-site. Starting to question if I was ever creative or really good at this profession - but don’t think I’m skilled enough or have the energy to do my own st…

Can you try teaching at your local university meanwhile?

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#6

Post by quantumwoke » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:11 PM UTC

Porthos9K wrote: post #4

If I had ever been OK, I wouldn't have gotten into tech in the first place.

Why do you say that? I think there's a lot of things that are really great about tech industry and there's some things that aren't so great. What's been your experience?

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#7

Post by algaeontoast » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:11 PM UTC

cvaidya1986 wrote: post #5

algaeontoast wrote: post #3

Not really, I’ve been looking for work for about three months after my team at a FANG was let go due to a legal fuck up by my boss. I’ve been leetcoding but have only passed 3/7 tech screens only to be ghosted for the on-site after a pass or passed up after the on-site. Starting to question if I was ever creative or really good at this profession - but don’t think I’m skilled enough or have the energy to do my own st…

Can you try teaching at your local university meanwhile?

I have zero interest in teaching or entering academia. I can get interviews, just struggling to find a way that I can improve fast enough / perform at a necessary level to pass interviews it seems. Idk, maybe I’m just not trying hard enough.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#8

Post by akhilcacharya » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:13 PM UTC

algaeontoast wrote: post #3

Not really, I’ve been looking for work for about three months after my team at a FANG was let go due to a legal fuck up by my boss. I’ve been leetcoding but have only passed 3/7 tech screens only to be ghosted for the on-site after a pass or passed up after the on-site. Starting to question if I was ever creative or really good at this profession - but don’t think I’m skilled enough or have the energy to do my own st…

Which prior company?

I could swing a referral for you if it wasn't Amazon.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#9

Post by inlined » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:14 PM UTC

No, but I wouldn’t go into more details in a real handle. It’s good to see topics like this show up from time to time; I hope they chip away at the stigma that the US has towards mental and emotional health.

For those that struggle, a support network is critical. Lean on & spend time with family, whether that’s blood family or the friends you’ve collected who are that close.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#10

Post by rrggrr » Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 2:14 PM UTC

algaeontoast wrote: post #3

Not really, I’ve been looking for work for about three months after my team at a FANG was let go due to a legal fuck up by my boss. I’ve been leetcoding but have only passed 3/7 tech screens only to be ghosted for the on-site after a pass or passed up after the on-site. Starting to question if I was ever creative or really good at this profession - but don’t think I’m skilled enough or have the energy to do my own st…

How about some freelancing? PM me: gardner _|at|_ hiredinsight _|.|_ co