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Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

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Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#21

Post by paulcole »

tetris11 wrote: post #5
mrkeen wrote: post #4

If it takes you 60hrs/week to do 39hrs/week, you're not going to be able to fit 2*30hrs/week into 60hrs/week.

The extra hours I do are more for my sense of perfectionism than to do with keeping up. I fill the extra time because I want to. I just now want to start getting laid for it.

> The extra hours I do are more for my sense of perfectionism than to do with keeping up

Then why the heck do you do them?

Instead of thinking of yourself as a perfectionist, start thinking of yourself as an insecure person. You’re insecure about the quality of your work so you pretend that if you spend more time on them your insecurity will go away because then they’ll be done perfectly.

Make a list of 10 or 20 things you’ve done perfectly recently. It shouldn’t be hard since you’re a perfectionist, right?

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#22

Post by tetris11 »

cpach wrote: post #18
tetris11 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm an X year "forever" post-doc. I have a wide range of tech and analysis skills but employers look at my CV and see no industry experience and will immediately dismiss me as an entry-level tech worker. Also, no one seems to be hiring at the moment despite the deluge of linked-in postings (I no longer trust most of these as legitimate, and instead see it as companies signalling "growth"). I enjoy my work, it feels m…

You asked HN if it’s worth it. My personal take: To me, no, it wouldn’t be worth it. I have a hard time seeing myself trying such an arrangement. I would rather try consulting instead. But your mileage may vary. If you feel that you have good reasons to try it, just do it. Then evaluate after 6-12 months.

That's fair, and much appreciated on the honest feedback

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#23

Post by tetris11 »

paulcole wrote: post #21
tetris11 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The extra hours I do are more for my sense of perfectionism than to do with keeping up. I fill the extra time because I want to. I just now want to start getting laid for it.

> The extra hours I do are more for my sense of perfectionism than to do with keeping up Then why the heck do you do them? Instead of thinking of yourself as a perfectionist, start thinking of yourself as an insecure person. You’re insecure about the quality of your work so you pretend that if you spend more time on them your insecurity will go away because then they’ll be done perfectly. Make a list of 10 or 20 thin…

(hostility aside...) I never said my work was perfect, but that I do take delight in polishing work that is more than passable. I can't be the only one here who likes to optimize their work in their free time.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#24

Post by idontwantthis »

tetris11 wrote: post #5
mrkeen wrote: post #4

If it takes you 60hrs/week to do 39hrs/week, you're not going to be able to fit 2*30hrs/week into 60hrs/week.

The extra hours I do are more for my sense of perfectionism than to do with keeping up. I fill the extra time because I want to. I just now want to start getting laid for it.

Stop doing the extra, unnecessary work first then see how you fill your time. You might surprise yourself with what you find out you need/enjoy.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#25

Post by blissfulresup »

tetris11 wrote: post #13
qup wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Make the second job at the local gym, that should help.

That's very helpful, thank you...

Believe he was being cheeky about you now wanting to get /laid/ for it

Since already commenting, I’d look into getting some resume assistance. Know you mentioned the kinda work you do is linear pay but perhaps if you reword your skills/what you’ve done in a clearer/relevant light you’d be able to transition easier.

Good luck, thank you for posting

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#26

Post by giantg2 »

mrkeen wrote: post #4

If it takes you 60hrs/week to do 39hrs/week, you're not going to be able to fit 2*30hrs/week into 60hrs/week.

"If it takes you 60hrs/week to do 39hrs/week, you're not going to be able to fit 2*30hrs/week into 60hrs/week."

Oh please, there are tons of jobs that say you only need 40 hours a week, but then they basically force you to work more. This is a common scenario, especially for IT.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#27

Post by paulcole »

tetris11 wrote: post #23
paulcole wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The extra hours I do are more for my sense of perfectionism than to do with keeping up Then why the heck do you do them? Instead of thinking of yourself as a perfectionist, start thinking of yourself as an insecure person. You’re insecure about the quality of your work so you pretend that if you spend more time on them your insecurity will go away because then they’ll be done perfectly. Make a list of 10 or 20 thin…

(hostility aside...) I never said my work was perfect, but that I do take delight in polishing work that is more than passable. I can't be the only one here who likes to optimize their work in their free time.

But you did say you have a sense of perfectionism.

And of course your work isn’t perfect. There’s no such thing as perfect work.

So either you get comfortable being done with things when they are done or you get comfortable with doing extra unpaid work because you delight in spending your time making things more than passable.

Which one would you prefer? It’s 100% up to you.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#28

Post by markus_zhang »

I think it depends. If it's difficult to move up the ladder AND move to a new company, and you want the $$$ for whatever reason, then getting two jobs makes perfect sense.

I'm actually considering the option because I don't have the confidence to move into a job I love, so getting better paid and retire earlier is the next best thing. Maybe one full-time job with one contractor job to minimize the risk. I could take home $250K+ pre-tax which is pretty lucrative for Canadians, plus I can expense my laptop and other minor stuffs.

But I have never done that so not sure if I could handle the pressure. It would be nice if both jobs require minimum guidance and meetings.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#29

Post by sn9 »

tetris11 wrote: post #16
cpach wrote: post #10

Other options: • Start working max 40 hours per week at your current job. • Find a new job with higher salary, where you only work 30-50 hours/week.

I'm an X year "forever" post-doc. I have a wide range of tech and analysis skills but employers look at my CV and see no industry experience and will immediately dismiss me as an entry-level tech worker. Also, no one seems to be hiring at the moment despite the deluge of linked-in postings (I no longer trust most of these as legitimate, and instead see it as companies signalling "growth"). I enjoy my work, it feels m…

Are the entry-level roles you're looking at paying less than what you make as a post-doc?

If you took one, would you be making more or less money in 2-5 years?

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth working two 90% Jobs?

#30

Post by tetris11 »

sn9 wrote: post #29
tetris11 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm an X year "forever" post-doc. I have a wide range of tech and analysis skills but employers look at my CV and see no industry experience and will immediately dismiss me as an entry-level tech worker. Also, no one seems to be hiring at the moment despite the deluge of linked-in postings (I no longer trust most of these as legitimate, and instead see it as companies signalling "growth"). I enjoy my work, it feels m…

Are the entry-level roles you're looking at paying less than what you make as a post-doc? If you took one, would you be making more or less money in 2-5 years?

That's a really good question. Right now I'm making £55k, which is not terrible money, but it's way less than my industry peers are making whilst doing arguably less.

I actually don't know how quickly my pay will scale in 2-5 years in industry. My general feeling is that regardless of how good I might be (or think I might be…), I'd still be older than the other entry-level candidates, and when a promotion would come up, my age might become an issue (e.g. I would be more likely to start a family in the next few years and therefore my work would come second).

I want something that pays at least £65k, which I don't think is unreasonable for my skill set, but without industry experience, I can see why employers might cover their mouths and laugh a little.

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