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Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

stevenbuccini.com

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Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#331

Post by oldstrangers »

bilvar wrote: post #326
oldstrangers wrote: post #317

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because... I wrote the comment, and in the context of my comment, I am referring to the traditional idea of a "capitalist class". There's also no new revised understanding of "capitalists" that includes everyone with a small business. Even in "21st century economics", a capitalist is still traditionally considered someone who owns the means of production at the absolute top of the supply chain (the owners and control…

Again, a capitalist is someone who deploys capital to provide a product or service. Not someone who is at the top of a supply chain. This is only the definition in Marxian 19th century economic theories. Saying that it's the historical definition shows lack of intellectual diversification. Supplying yourself X & Y goods from the market to produce Z good or service does not make you a labourer. By that logic is someon…

You're saying a lot to say nothing, while being wildly incorrect with anything you do say. That's pretty impressive, considering you could just google your way out of this ignorance. Anyway, enjoy your alternate reality.

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#332

Post by devmor »

I've survived several layoffs, a couple firings and a couple quittings and I don't really identify with much of what the author says here in any of these situations.

I've never considered leaving a job for any reason to be "lonely", nor does it take very long to find another position that suits me well. If I let one of the recruiters I talk to know that I'm looking for work, I've usually got multiple interviews within 3-5 days.

The only thing I'd really agree with is the bit about honesty and transparency - I've definitely been a bit too honest about my faults before and it's cost me an interview or two.

I don't know if I'm an odd duck, or the author is just very poor at networking - but it seems like the latter to me.

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#333

Post by jonathankoren »

ericmcer wrote: post #123
gregfjohnson wrote: post #90

Stepping back for a moment from the content, I think it is worth noting what an exceptionally well-written essay this is. Being able to write well is a super power for engineers. It is a reflection of the lucidity and clarity of one's mind, and the ability to understand the needs of the reader. Writing well is an exceptionally useful and powerful skill that can be improved with consistent practice. I would be tempted…

He is a good writer and clearly a thoughtful individual, which further reinforces truth #6 (honesty can hurt you). I subconsciously approached the article with a bit of negative bias around the fact he had been laid off. His writing has more clarity than many successful CEOs though so who knows.

> I subconsciously approached the article with a bit of negative bias around the fact he had been laid off. His writing has more clarity than many successful CEOs though so who knows.

That’s because most people get laid off because of no fault of their own. There’s a false idea that people that are laid off are low performers, but the truth of the matter is that more often than not it, it’s entire teams.

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#334

Post by nvarsj »

I was laid off in 2010 and I can relate with a lot of these points. Especially how long it took me to find a new job. Despite what I thought was a great CV it took me nearly 6 months. I thought I’d find a job easily when I got laid off.

It was an incredibly humbling experience - reaching out to tens of companies and barely getting any responses. Took me 3 months to just secure my first on-site.

I’ve generally always gotten jobs from reach outs while employed - making me feel special - when in reality it was my skills simply lining up with some open headcount at that time.

When you’re laid off suddenly it’s a whole different ballgame. It’s largely luck trying to find matching roles with open headcount. In a downturn this is especially rough (like now).

It taught me some things: don’t stay anywhere too long (it restricts your network), make sure your skills are not too niche, and ensure you are following industry trends so you remain widely employable.

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#335

Post by bilvar »

oldstrangers wrote: post #331
bilvar wrote: post #326

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Again, a capitalist is someone who deploys capital to provide a product or service. Not someone who is at the top of a supply chain. This is only the definition in Marxian 19th century economic theories. Saying that it's the historical definition shows lack of intellectual diversification. Supplying yourself X & Y goods from the market to produce Z good or service does not make you a labourer. By that logic is someon…

You're saying a lot to say nothing, while being wildly incorrect with anything you do say. That's pretty impressive, considering you could just google your way out of this ignorance. Anyway, enjoy your alternate reality.

Classic Marxist response when it's demonstrated that their logic produces 1+1=3. Talk about alternative realities :)

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#337

Post by some_furry »

jacquesm wrote: post #44
jayceedenton wrote: post #28

> Hard Truth #6: Honesty can only hurt you I think the author has come away with the wrong lesson here. Many engineers, particularly those that don't pay too much heed to social mores, think they have some God-given right to share details of all their private interactions publicly. Every tech test they do is pushed to GitHub with an accompanying blog post. Every interview has a transcript (somewhat one-sided) publish…

If a company asks you about stuff that isn't any of their business you have my permission (not that you need it) to lie your ass off if you think it will help you. The power asymmetry is such that unless the counterparty is extremely careful about abusing that power that you will end up being cornered and taken advantage of. If you present yourself as more desirable than you are based on your current situation and it…

I always lie (through omission) in job interviews, because there's no federal protection against discrimination on basis of sexual orientation.

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#338

Post by oldstrangers »

bilvar wrote: post #335
oldstrangers wrote: post #331

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're saying a lot to say nothing, while being wildly incorrect with anything you do say. That's pretty impressive, considering you could just google your way out of this ignorance. Anyway, enjoy your alternate reality.

Classic Marxist response when it's demonstrated that their logic produces 1+1=3. Talk about alternative realities :)

It's pretty hilarious that you've managed to mention Marx multiple times and throw in an "extreme left-wing echo chamber" unprovoked. Turn off the Fox News buddy, take a deep breath. The woke cancel culture isn't out to get you and the government isn't trying to implant chips in your arm.

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#339

Post by geekbird »

ejb999 wrote: post #67
jt2190 wrote: post #25

> Come up with a more, uh, positive reason for why you’re interviewing instead of disclosing that you were laid off. I don’t understand this assertion, unless “laid off” now means “fired with cause”. People are laid off all the time, for no reason other than the company wants to reduce their labor costs. Perhaps the author is assuming that the company is also making a judgement about their skills, e.g. that they’re s…

yes and no - unless companies laid off everybody, or an entire division/location for example, they already made some sort of decision on who would stay and who would go - if you find yourself in the 'let go' category, than someone likely made a judgement about you already and found you less desirable than the 'keep' category - thats just the unfortunate reality.

IME it's arbitrary criteria - either last hired, first fired, or most expensive people, or older people (illegal, but they use other proxies for age to hide it), or most of a division because they're pivoting/no profitable, or you don't want to work 100 hour weeks sitting on the floor near your new CEOs office, or...

Getting laid off from some places is a badge of honor, IMO.

Re: Hard truths I learned when I got laid off from my SWE job

#340

Post by hgsgm »

some_furry wrote: post #337
jacquesm wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If a company asks you about stuff that isn't any of their business you have my permission (not that you need it) to lie your ass off if you think it will help you. The power asymmetry is such that unless the counterparty is extremely careful about abusing that power that you will end up being cornered and taken advantage of. If you present yourself as more desirable than you are based on your current situation and it…

I always lie (through omission) in job interviews, because there's no federal protection against discrimination on basis of sexual orientation.

Has Bostock been overturned?

https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/protections-against-emplo...

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