I went on a 300 mile hike
Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
41–50 of 76 posts
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#42I personally write blog posts I find interesting[1], catch up around the house (new jobs typically take up more time than old), and take long walks or runs (maybe play some video games or read). Personally, I have trouble not being productive (or at least feeling productive). Often this leads me to pick up a news skill (eg cooking Indian cuisine, leaning Haskell, installing a news Linux district, etc). Last time I ha…
You want to provide a promo code?:)
Looks really cool! About to signup for the beta.
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#43I will study some math. Revisiting high school math textbooks. They really hide the application part in those years!
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#44I had these few months and rather casually I'm putting the finishing touches on a side project. It was also beneficiary during the job hunting.
I wish I had traveled more, but laziness and monitor addiction is real :)
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#45Absolutely travel. Traveling solo is a hugely rewarding experience. Stay in hostels to meet other people and make friends. If money is tight, choose a cheap area. If you like outdoor adventuring, combine it with rock climbing or summiting some mountains. (I can provide recommendations if you want)
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#46This question depends very much on WHETHER OR NOT THE NEXT JOB IS ALREADY LINED UP. If I don't have to worry about my unemployment, then for two months I would spend more time with my family and on personal interests that refresh my mind and spirit. Otherwise, I would spend the two months networking and interviewing toward the next job. A job hunt IS a full-time job. Quite frankly, a more time-consuming and stressful…
I’m with this one. I’ve been out of work for an extended period previously. It’s very stressful.
If it was with another job lined up, and I had money... oh I’d travel (still dream about Hawaii most nights since visiting. Ridiculous.), read, learn something, visit my family (rural ON), visit my girlfriends family (BC/the island), exercise and sleep long. Probably indulge in video games because I don’t often.
Yeah. Now I’m dreaming about two months off. If money’s not a problem, then enjoy your reclaimed time OP.
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#47Studied and got an AWS certification. Played basketball. Traveled. It was a good summer.
How has the certification benefited you since then? I am considering working towards it as well.
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#48I had three months off between jobs a couple of years ago. I did absolutely nothing, just sleep in, stay up late, read a few books, watch movies and play games. After three months I almost felt like a human being again. That feeling was gone 2 days into the new job.
That's...alarming. I don't mean to be presumptuous, but I think you might be in the wrong line of work if that's the case. Work can suck, but it shouldn't be that soul crushing.
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#49I would try to set up a healthier lifestyle, primarily by working on establishing consistent exercise and eating patterns.
Re: Ask HN: If you had two months off between jobs what would you be doing?
#50This question depends very much on WHETHER OR NOT THE NEXT JOB IS ALREADY LINED UP. If I don't have to worry about my unemployment, then for two months I would spend more time with my family and on personal interests that refresh my mind and spirit. Otherwise, I would spend the two months networking and interviewing toward the next job. A job hunt IS a full-time job. Quite frankly, a more time-consuming and stressful…
Don't you read posts here? If you have a pulse you send an email or two and have a new FAANG job paying $400K in a couple days. Somewhat annoyingly (but not really), the one time I had 6 weeks or so off I did spend it job hunting. [This was during dot-bomb by way of context.] Somewhat annoyingly because the conversation I had with a company owner I knew literally about a couple of days after I was laid off led to an…
> And the job after that was the usual case of "How soon can you start?"
That's when I would normally say that I've been planning a trip so I can start in 2 months. Then you can relax with your next role lined up.
It actually works really well for negotiation too. While interviewing say that you've been planning a trip/something else and that you weren't even really looking for a job but the position you're talking about was so interesting you thought it was worth exploring.
That helps because it gives the appearance of:
1. Not being under financial pressure
2. Having many options for employment that you can choose at will
Both are very helpful when negotiating. High end individuals usually won't have to rush into a new job right away and will often do some intercontinental travel or large personal project between roles.