Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#1

Post by reactreflux1 » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 2:41 AM UTC

I no longer feel motivated to compete. Maybe I just need to get back the motivation but I don't know how. The mass layoffs weren't even the tipping point for me. Even when the market for tech jobs was healthier, the whole process of interviewing felt unforgiving and sweaty. And this doesn't include the FAANG-type companies, just the more mundane ones.

I've been applying to jobs non-stop since 2021 and interviewed at many places, and getting no offers. I faced the burnout sometime early last year. I don't have a job, yet the stakes still feel low for me right now. Even for the more "chill" jobs you are expected to pass multiple rounds, and be the best among the candidates.

Just being a finalist isn't good enough to pass, it seems. I would prefer to avoid this criteria of placing first and still find a means of getting hired. For an average developer job, I just want to have an average mindset, not very competitive, where being average among the interview candidates is already considered "good enough".

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#2

Post by jarsin » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 2:54 AM UTC

Either find a niche framework/language and target those companies, or just bite the bullet and sign up for one of the more popular interview courses and get better at them.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#3

Post by sp332 » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 2:59 AM UTC

If you want to skip the intervewing, you have to network and make sure people know you. The goal there is for someone to reach out to you that they want you.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#4

Post by News-Dog » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 3:05 AM UTC

  'We are all but grist to the mill of Society'

Perhaps time to take a sabbatical, given financial ability, is travel a possibility?

What other types of different work prospects do you have, anything that you find interesting?

You skills; training and/or teaching?

Recharge, refresh and renewal.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#5

Post by reactreflux1 » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 5:22 AM UTC

jarsin wrote: post #2

Either find a niche framework/language and target those companies, or just bite the bullet and sign up for one of the more popular interview courses and get better at them.

I would try the former option once more, since, I already spent a few thousand on a tech interview course 2 years ago and it hasn't helped.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#6

Post by reactreflux1 » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 5:31 AM UTC

News-Dog wrote: post #4

'We are all but grist to the mill of Society' Perhaps time to take a sabbatical, given financial ability, is travel a possibility? What other types of different work prospects do you have, anything that you find interesting? You skills; training and/or teaching? Recharge, refresh and renewal.

My degree is in Art, with digital media which was very niche at the time. That's where I sparked interest in web dev although there are other interests in there.

I like some DIY electronics stuff, Arduino, AVR and such. Integrate it with PC building perhaps. Putting out feelers for that type of work is even more of a longshot than my typical web dev work.

My current "work" routine is sending out my resume to online groups every week or so, and a few applications and call it a day.

Travel isn't possible right now. I don't have to pay for housing, but neither do I have a large pile of money to sit on. That means I am partially living on welfare

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#7

Post by dsattt » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 10:20 AM UTC

jarsin wrote: post #2

Either find a niche framework/language and target those companies, or just bite the bullet and sign up for one of the more popular interview courses and get better at them.

Any recommendations? What is a niche language that guarantees a job these days?

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#8

Post by flappyeagle » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 10:57 AM UTC

Do you know anyone you’ve worked with in the past that can strongly vouch for you? Any past managers you’ve gotten along well with? Where are they now?

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#9

Post by jarsin » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 11:57 AM UTC

dsattt wrote: post #7

jarsin wrote: post #2

Either find a niche framework/language and target those companies, or just bite the bullet and sign up for one of the more popular interview courses and get better at them.

Any recommendations? What is a niche language that guarantees a job these days?

Ruby on Rails. Tons of stuff built on it, and still being built, but all the cool kids moved on from it.

Re: Ask HN: How can I get hired when I am now tired of being competitive?

#10

Post by tacostakohashi » Thu, Apr 06, 2023, 1:04 PM UTC

Nobody wants to hire someone who isn't "competitive" and aspires to level up, advance, etc., unless it's for some short term contract.

They want people who can do today's job today, and have potential for more / leadership tomorrow. Even if you just want to coast on by and collect your paycheck... you need to (at least pretend to) be be interested in advancement.