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Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

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151–160 of 194 posts

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#151
I still think there is plenty of demand for web developers.

If you have time on your hands and know some basic programming then might I suggest learning some web technologies. Even if you can't land a job quickly you can make some income being an indie hacker too (though you may need to learn at least a few marketing skills and SEO)

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> My point is that this is no underlying weakness in the global economy. Unfortunately, this is not at all true. There is a tremendous amount of debt in the system and we are on the precipice of a credit crisis that could wipe out a significant chunk of the global economy.

Perhaps. But it sounds like that's independent of the virus? I only meant that the virus event doesn't add any fundamental flaw.

It doesn't "add a flaw", but instead it triggers the instability that exists because of the existing flaws. If large amounts of people stop being able to keep their heads above water (which is happening because of CoVID-related layoffs and reduced business) then their accumulated debt can crush them. Very few people in the US can survive in such poor economic conditions for "4-8 months" -- more than 60% of Americans can't cover a $1000 emergency[1]!

This is why many people are arguing for (and some countries have instituted) debt and rent cancellation for this period of time. That helps avoid tipping the scale and crushing a large portion of the population under the mountains of debt they already have. The US is also quite unique (in the worst possible way) in the massive amounts of medical and student loan debt that folks are saddled with.

[1]: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/23/most-americans-dont-have-the...

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#153
post #58

Cooking from basic ingredients. Growing a basic seasonal garden. Finding ways to be happy with less and appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Placing value on human relationships more than material things. The art of conversation. Enjoying simple/affordable/accessible hobbies.

All of these things seem learnable with available resources except the art of conversation, something that I actually need a lot of work on. And recommendations on how I can improve on this?

Know why people all they want is to be understood. Everybody wants to be heard. These books tell you how and why. Quote from Never Split the Difference, "Interesting people are interested"

- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Christopher Voss

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#154
If this is the same level as '08 I don't think much will change in your sector. The demand will still be there,just a lot less of it. If your employer is not in tech either you lose a job or you don't see a pay increase for a while. If your employer is in tech then there are plenty of non-tech places all over that are starving for your talent which will do well in a recession.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#155

> the effects of the global domino triggered by conoravirus will echo for many years to come. Why? As far as I know there's no underlying systemic financial reason for a depression or recession. The virus sucks. Some companies will no doubt have a bad quarter or two. But viruses pass, and this one will too. > I'm afraid that in this new reality my software/management skills won't be of any use in 6 months. That seems…

> Some companies will no doubt have a bad quarter or two.

That seems like an understatement. 99.9% of businesses in the USA are small businesses. Most that I know will be lucky to survive a month of this, without serious government assistance.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Einstein: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

Is there a war coming?

China and the USA are leading up to one.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#157
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been following many threads on Reddit (and one on HN) about people getting fired already. As there is no indication this trend will be reversed any time soon, I get the feeling that a) lots of industries have already been hit hard and b) things may get progressively worse in the following months. It worries me that, as a huge percentage of the web runs on ads, if lots of industries get into trouble, the ad space…

There will be a lot of layoffs. The question is, what kind of jobs are they? Are these experienced developers with multiple languages and platforms under their belt, or one-trick ponies that came from a bootcamp? You're right - ad-driven web properties won't do well. There is tons of code written every day that does actual revenue-generating work, however. It's not sexy work, it's not VC-funded work, and that's okay.…

> Are these experienced developers with multiple languages and platforms under their belt, or one-trick ponies that came from a bootcamp?

During the last recession, many of those that were let go were the "expensive" experienced developers that could command higher salaries than new hires.

I know several experienced developers that lost their jobs last week.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#158

Aim to be an expert in your field = what you love to do and you'll be fine. High performing people are unaffected during crisis.

My field doesn't really exist right now. The highest performing people I know are just as unemployed as the schmucks like me.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#159
post #114
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I second learning to cook - it’s a skill valuable in good times and bad and really helps you to eat cheaply and healthily if you are mindful of your ingredients. There are tons of helpful videos to get you started. I recommend Bon Appétit’s Test Kitchen on YouTube

Also, I've never met a partner who doesn't appreciate it! And in terms of amortizing time spent learning, it's hard to beat getting better at something you do every day. Sometimes multiple times!

My partner's cooking is so good that restaurants food taste like paper to me. It has its downsides as well, I am eating much more and gained weight and getting into diet is hard.
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