Ask HN: Which job should I choose? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Which job should I choose?

#61

Post by curun1r » Wed, Aug 19, 2015, 1:36 PM UTC

Schwolop wrote: post #35

lisper wrote: post #19

Flip a coin. Seriously. If you don't like the decision the coin made for you then ignore it and do the opposite.

Bingo. I've also heard this sentiment expressed as "Flip a coin. While it's in the air, your brain will be wishing for one of the sides. Pick that choice and forget about the coin."

The version of this that resonated with me is a quote from an otherwise-terrible movie called "The Very Thought of You." From the best Google result I could find:

  Pederson: "You have a decision to make...What's the problem? Bearing in mind there's no such thing as a difficult decision."
  Lawrence: "Sorry?"
  Pederson: "Well, every day we make hundreds of thousands of decisions. In a year, it runs into tens of millions. People get themselves into knots. The truth is, decisions are easy. Know why? Because every time, every time, we already know the answers."
  Lawrence: "You think?"
  Pederson: "Absolutely. Trade secret. Always tell my boys. You see, you didn't come to me to make a decision. You came to me because you didn't like the decision you'd already made."

I've found this to be mostly true and that once I view a tough decision through the lens of already having made it and only needing to accept that I don't like the decision I've made, the decision becomes a lot clearer and I'm able to move past it.

Re: Ask HN: Which job should I choose?

#62

Post by alain94040 » Wed, Aug 19, 2015, 6:14 PM UTC

I now have enough experience to recommend that you make your decision based on finding great people. Technology stacks and early roles matter less than attaching yourself to a great group of individuals. That's how opportunities arise.

Of course, it's hard to evaluate just from a few interviews. But it also works once you are inside: make sure to find the rising stars (they may not be much senior than you by the way). You'll learn much more and be exposed to much greater opportunities.

Re: Ask HN: Which job should I choose?

#63

Post by airframeng » Wed, Aug 19, 2015, 6:33 PM UTC

I wouldn't focus so much on the tech as on the purpose of what you'll be doing.

In the end, follow your gutt feeling and don't look back.

Re: Ask HN: Which job should I choose?

#64

Post by askhell » Wed, Aug 19, 2015, 9:21 PM UTC

Thanks to everybody for your advice. I've decided to accept the airline software development company offer. I'm just way more interested in the technologies they are using and as someone said it looks like in the IT security company i would mostly be doing Kendo UI charts.

Re: Ask HN: Which job should I choose?

#65

Post by thelittleyes » Thu, Aug 20, 2015, 4:22 AM UTC

Have you made a decision? If not and you'd still like some help email me at samuel at thelittleyes.com and let's setup a time to chat. I coach folks through these kinds of decisions for a living. I'll give you the HN special, no charge for the first hour, and I think we'll probably be able to get you the clarity you need in an hour.