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Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

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Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#341

Post by CityYogi »

benmorris wrote: post #337
expathacker wrote: post #235

Emotionally detaching. I was a workaholic from age 16 until 33 and this was my primary identity. I used to always be proud of the work I did, no matter how lame the company or how many times I was screwed over. Then one day my father died, and I was fired from a company who I truly believed in and for whom I had sacrificed. This sounds cynical, but it's really peaceful. With the emotional energy and sheer time saved…

This was a hard lesson to learn for me as well. It is something I strive for now though even running my own business. I maintain boundaries like strict work hours and try to keep my work away from my life outside of work.

I am halfway between quitting a job I have dedicated myself to in the last 5-6 years. Making this call is so hard

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#342

Post by gtsteve »

dkvochkin wrote: post #326
BerislavLopac wrote: post #228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been contracting for two years now, and I agree with the majority of what you said. (UK here) However, I've recently started considering returning to permanent, primarily for one reason. At the age of 50, half of which has been in a software development career, I find being a code-monkey -- even a senior one -- quite unsatisfying. I would like to return to leadership roles I had while I was permanent, but they a…

Hi, for someone who is interested in starting contracting in UK, what should one know about taxes? Did you have to create a limited company? Could you please advise Thank you.

You don't have to make a limited company but it might be necessary for some contracts. You might also have to carry insurance. An umbralla company might also be appropriate for you, especially if you're not 100% sure. It has been a few years since I quit contracting (to start my own company) so some of this stuff might be old.

Definitely read about IR35 and how it might affect you.

In all cases, an accountant can answer these questions for you, even if you're not sure you want to commit.

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#343

Post by AnIdiotOnTheNet »

brianwawok wrote: post #329
AnIdiotOnTheNet wrote: post #295

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not everybody can have a job doing something they find meaningful and fulfilling, best not to delude yourself into thinking yours is if it isn't.

The counter to this is one can find meaning and fulfillment in any task, by doing it well and to the best of ones ability.

But why do that if it only makes things worse for you in the end? Better to find meaning in things you don't have to delude yourself about and view your job as what it probably is: just a means to sustain your quality of life.

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#344

Post by icedchai »

deathanatos wrote: post #170
icedchai wrote: post #45

Saving and investing approximately 40% of my income at all times.

I've recently jumped off this bridge, twice. They have pretty much gone nowhere. I know you're supposed to be patient w/ these, but… it is frustrating.

I split my investments into three pots:

1) Long term accumulation (buy and hold). These are at Vanguard due to their low fees. Most of it is in VTSAX (Total stock market) and VTIAX (Total international) funds. I have been averaging 12% yearly returns for the past 10 years.

2) Short term investments: Individual stocks, for more active trading. I don't have a long term return figures, but the past year has been 30%.

3) Cash: I keep about 15% in cash at all times. I look for high interesting savings accounts (Ally Bank gives you 1.85% returns) and money market funds (Vanguard VMMXX gives you 2.05% ish)

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#345

Post by jlengrand »

harel wrote: post #312

I can't pinpoint a single one, but a few in a sequence: 1. Before I built my reputation and experience, I said Yes to a lot of things. Not all of them I could do, but once I said yes and jumped in the deep end, I found out I can do them and do them very well. Necessity was a big driver. 2. Life style trumps "exit". I worked with various start ups for 20 years. I founded and co founded 4 of them. At some point I decid…

Learning to say no is definitely high on my list. Only when saying no do you start getting valued by others.

Taking job interviews not as events where I had to prove myself for a chance to get validated, but rather as a discussion between two parties to see if what they have to offer to each other matches is another that comes to mind.

I can really see a before and after break in my career.

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#346

Post by websitescenes »

I always split my time between a day job and a passion of building startups. My startups all failed until I finally took the leap and fully committed by leaving my cushy tech day job and went all in. It was super hard being self funded and I spent everything I had including a 401k but it was the best decision I ever made. Now I’m CTO at a successful, funded company instead of a tool for others to realize their visions through. It’s hard work but I enjoy leading a team.

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#347

Post by JustSomeNobody »

The best decisions are either to stay with or leave a job. Knowing when to do that is tricky. Sometimes I've gotten it right and have advanced my career. I think this time, I've waited too long. Not happy anymore as new development has stagnated. Nervous about interviewing again. My last gig I got from just a phone call, so I've not had a formal interview in years. But, it's time to go...

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#348

Post by icedchai »

FahadUddin92 wrote: post #133
icedchai wrote: post #45

Saving and investing approximately 40% of my income at all times.

Did it work out well? How long did you compound?

My oldest account is about 10 years (Vanguard) Over that time I've averaged 12% yearly returns (Actually just checked it again, it's a little over 13%.)

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#349

Post by 0x445442 »

christophilus wrote: post #305
DerekQ wrote: post #203

Moving from permanent to contractor. I made the jump 5 years ago and have worked for a number of companies since, on 6-12 month contracts. The money has jumped each time, such that I’m on what I consider to be silly money now for the job I do — Ireland, not US. The work is always interesting for at least 6 months and I learn a ton of new stuff with every contract, much of which I use when building my own products (Do…

I'd be interested in hearing from some US-based contractors who feel the same. The thing that has stopped me going down that road is the insane health insurance costs here.

Yeah, contracting is very tough if you're responsible for a familiy's welfare. I did it for a few years, 2008 - 2011. But back then HSAs were quite reasonable. With a wife in kids I can only imagine what premiums are now days. However, when the kids leave I'll seriously consider going back to contracting.

One other thing I found out was to stay away from the "butts in seats" contract. That's often the model these contracting houses (middlemen) use so, in essence, you're the same as an employee with non of the benefits. It can still be good to go through one of these companies but make sure and tell them that if you're work is blocked because the customer is dragging their feet on requirements or the like, you reserve the right to work on other contracts. Don't let them bill you out at 40h per week if there's not 40h per week of work.

Re: Ask HN: What was the best decision you made in your career?

#350

Post by krageon »

anonu wrote: post #297
sanbor wrote: post #291

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With respect I'd like to ask if you don't have ethical issues. The military forces of USA has been doing pretty bad stuff in the last 50 years, so I have the feeling that you're not saving lifes but rather ruining them. War became such a common thing and nonsense in the US that at this point thatnpeople is not sure if they're at war or not.

The US Military is a huge employer and there are a variety of jobs and roles in the organization. Your comment is like telling employees of a company they should feel ashamed because management cooked the books.

They might be a huge employer but they also murder people. Even if you work in a role that supports murder and doesn't actually do it directly, I'd say that the ethical side is a concern. Certainly not something to be dismissed out of hand, even if you make the decision that you are ok with it.

I am of the opinion that a "well it's far removed from me even though that is what the organisation's main goal is" stance is doing yourself a disservice.

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