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Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

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Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#21

Post by convolvatron »

zwnow wrote: post #12
ge96 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tech-wise in the US it was tough. I went to work in factory for a bit. I had recruiters hitting me up but they were 6 month contracts so I kept turning those down but eventually I just accepted one and I'm almost a year in now. I will note I at the time had 5 YOE but no degree so that is a factor (many I don't qualify since no degree). Reading r/cscareerquestions is depressing not that I go on there much now. People…

People also just shotgun applications, why would a company look at a unpersoanlized lazy shotgunned job application?

for a while I actually studied the target company, and wrote a half-page cover letter detailing why I thought what they were doing was really interesting, and how it dovetailed with my background.

those didn't come back with any more frequency than the auto-apply

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#22

Post by secondcoming »

doormatt wrote: post #3

I did once - but it was on purpose. After 4 years at AWS, and ~20 in the industry, I was utterly burnt out, and needed a break. So I took two years off.

I think I'm burned out, but I'm not sure. Sometimes I think getting laid off might be good for me, but being in my mid-forties worries me when Tech is so ageist.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#23

Post by tennisflyi »

yogorenapan wrote: post #17
OsrsNeedsf2P wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So apply to thousands of jobs then? That's only a couple applications a day for 2 years. And I'm not saying this from an ivory tower, my first job took 700 applications in 2021. But until you have a job, your job is to apply 8 hours a day

What are people doing to need 700 applications? If you went to university, usually you'd be able to get an internship after 4-5 applications & a return offer. Then afterwards just stay put when the economy isn't doing well and hop around when it is.

Categorically wrong. Graduates exceed jobs/internships (if you pass the ATS gods)

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#24

Post by mcflubbins »

CoolestBeans wrote: post #10

I learned an instrument (guitar), then I learned another instrument (bass guitar). I caught up with my family, I got to spend a lot more time with my nephews and nieces. I got to spend a lot of time with my dad. I picked back up circuit design and made an overdrive guitar pedal from scratch and learned KiCad in the process. I caught up with old friends but lost touch with other ones. I probably acted like an ass to a…

You make it sound great to be honest (I'm sure its not though.) How have you survived without income?

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#25

Post by fvgvkujdfbllo »

zwnow wrote: post #12
ge96 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tech-wise in the US it was tough. I went to work in factory for a bit. I had recruiters hitting me up but they were 6 month contracts so I kept turning those down but eventually I just accepted one and I'm almost a year in now. I will note I at the time had 5 YOE but no degree so that is a factor (many I don't qualify since no degree). Reading r/cscareerquestions is depressing not that I go on there much now. People…

People also just shotgun applications, why would a company look at a unpersoanlized lazy shotgunned job application?

Based on anecdotal data, companies don’t look at any personalized resume. Much better use of your time to send your standard cover letter and resume. Just apply to positions where you are, at least, 80% match. And yes you will never find 100% match, most employers make up requirements anyways.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#26

Post by itsmevictor »

SeanAnderson wrote: post #15

I've been unemployed for almost three years. It's somewhat intentional - at least leaving my last job was and I've been dragging my feet. Hopefully will have a job in upper management at the start of next year if things work out. Coping by trying my best to become the type of person that I aspire to be. Quit weed, alcohol, caffeine. Lost 20lbs of fat and put on some muscle. Run 6 days a week, lift 3-4 days a week. Me…

Honestly, if you didn't struggle financially, it seems to me that you've had a pretty good time and that your perception that you're not accomplished enough in how you used your time is mostly a byproduct of our tendency to always be unsatisfied rather than stemming from your past few years having truly lacked purpose :-)

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#27

Post by windowshopping »

freetime2 wrote: post #20
CoastalCoder wrote: post #5

I was unemployed for 14 months in 2023/2024. It definitely hit my self-esteem, as well as 401(k). I ended up taking a job with Microsoft, but it was a poor fit because I hate the company as well as the product area I was in. As soon as I could I found another employer that, while not perfect, I'm much happier with.

I think it's probably not your intent, but this sort of feels like a humble brag. Reason being that 14 months is far short of "over two years", and I think that a job offer from Microsoft is something that a lot of people would be thrilled with.

It didn't come across to me that way at all, not even a little.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#29

Post by dudus »

SeanAnderson wrote: post #15

I've been unemployed for almost three years. It's somewhat intentional - at least leaving my last job was and I've been dragging my feet. Hopefully will have a job in upper management at the start of next year if things work out. Coping by trying my best to become the type of person that I aspire to be. Quit weed, alcohol, caffeine. Lost 20lbs of fat and put on some muscle. Run 6 days a week, lift 3-4 days a week. Me…

Also unemployed for the last 3 years after a layoff. Partially on purpose because I felt I needed a pause to recharge but I kept extending because money was not a problem due to stonks going up.

I learned react, go. Played videogames and had a child. Things are going well.

Part of me is afraid that too much time off the market will make me not fit for the workforce anymore but tbh I feel like my mental health really needed this.

Now I'm faced with a dilemma. Go back to my home country where I probably could retire now at 40 or stay here and try to get back to work. Trump administration has been making my decision easier by the day.

Re: Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years?

#30

Post by DamonHD »

Retired - sort of - when the remains of my last two start-ups died (in the same month!) after the pandemic and were sold for OK money. Now doing a part-time PhD working fixing the climate.

Coping - generally fine - helped by building up a new network of friends and doing things like going clubbing and going to music festivals and giving talks and running voluntary orgs. Just been out for beers with my mentee; he will be giving a talk at a session that I am running tomorrow with the local council.

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