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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?

#281

Post by no_nobud »

Yep. I'm an Electrical Engineer, 10+ years of experience in systems (automation, robotics, etc.). I left my job back in 2023, which I regret now, but I didn't leave because it wasn't paying well (it was low wage), or anything, but because of the management and daily harassment. However, I should have let them terminate me instead to collect unemployment.

The first few months I spent trying to make my own work, since my tech background is great, but really, that led to nowhere, especially in this economy (Canada), so I started looking for a job. Now 1.5 years of active searching and only 4 interviews, yes, only 4 where the job description was as if it was written to match my resume, yet I got rejected, just to see how bad it is, compared to before until 2021. I used to get contacted for jobs, some were in big companies like Amazon for 180k. All other applications just go to the void, or cliché "we went with another candidate" but the posting remains open 3 months later. Sometimes I would receive the rejection two hours after applying after midnight, so it's just automated.

It's been tough, mentally demoralizing and I borderline went suicidal at some point. Even now, if some burglar came to shoot me in the face I wouldn't even flinch, completely hopeless, not because of not finding a job, but because of 15+ years of education and experience and you are just invisible, no matter how you perfect the resume or whatever. Meanwhile I see fresh co-op students are hired in good companies and good positions, mostly girls too, making me believe that HR (mostly women) and managers (mostly men) prefer hiring fresh especially women for all sorts of reasons, and also company-wise too because they can pay them peanuts without an issue. I deeply regret becoming an engineer, waste of time and money. If I had invested that in other education or even becoming a plumber I would be in a better position now.

The plan right now is to find anything, work and save a little then completely change my career, no more engineering or tech stuff despite my passion in this field, but if it doesn't pay bills, it's becoming like an art degree now, especially when the industry doesn't have any measure to protect the profession. Anyone can be an engineer, meanwhile I see a nurse (which seen as the janitor of healthcare jobs) is paid ~90k on par with a senior engineer, if you found the job anyway. You know something is not right, hell, even a landscaper makes better than that. Leaving Canada isn't an option right now due to some reasons.

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

#282

Post by trenchpilgrim »

HocusLocus wrote: post #266
fellowniusmonk wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2021 and 2025 are different. I have a friend who is a SSE. Mid 30s. Been fully employed his entire life. No degree. Has been writing production code since 15. His entire local professional network got nuked and people stopped hiring because of that stupid software engineering R&D amortization budget deception of Section 174. And I assume the double whammy of ai. He had his resume reviewed, ran it by friends it looked…

I'm trying to understand Section 174 impact especially because your friend's persistence seems like a good litmus test that positive changes are afoot. Also I have a daughter who will be looking for R&D/R&E EE position when she graduates in 2026. Needing to amortize expenses over 15 years puts a big damper on anything corps may be excited about today but with less than 100% assurance of in the long run? Restoring the…

Here's an explanation of how the Section 174 change contributed to SWE layoffs during 2023-2025: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44226571

It's been reversed now, but the inertia is still being felt. The backlog of highly qualified engineers ares still competing for positions, and other factors such as the interest rate and the effect of AI on positions for younger engineers are still in effect.

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

#283

Post by jpalawaga »

mgh95 wrote: post #166
richardlblair wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact you're being questioned about this is insane. There used to be a 0% chance of being tossed on a plane and deported somewhere else in the world when visiting the US. That chance is now non-zero, which is an unacceptable level of risk for many. That and everything else going on. There's a reason Canadians have stopped traveling down south...

Business travel from CAN to US has remained stable (see: https://globalnews.ca/video/11436758/business-travel-to-u-s-... ). It's leisure that is declining. Meanwhile, total spending in the US from int'l visitor tourism is up in the US (see: https://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/internat... ). Honestly, I think macro factors -- namely, poor Canadian household finances due to increasing cost of living and…

All of my personal network has stopped non-mandatory travel to the US. I wouldn’t be surprised people wouldn’t resist if their employer told them to go for business, but many Canadians are simply opting out of leisure travel to the United States.

There are plenty of other places to travel is the rationale. besides, if a strong greenback was the reason for decrease of leisure, wouldn’t it also be responsible for a decrease in business travel, too? Certainly businesses are also bound to macroeconomic shifts.

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

#284

Post by more_corn »

sanswork wrote: post #90
pluc wrote: post #59

Lost my job in early 2023. Couldn't find anything (25 years of exp, director of engineering managerial/technical type, great at what i do by past coworkers/bosses admission). By EOY I had to sell my house, figured I could use the (significant) profits to buy time or I could travel and make the time a little more enjoyable, so I set out to explore most of Europe thinking, well I'll for sure find a job before I run out…

After that much if you're as skilled add you think you should be finding an interview coach and someone to edit your CV. Have you asked past bosses, co-workers for referrals?

Have you tried searching for a tech job? It’s not possible these days.

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

#285

Post by WarOnPrivacy »

yelirekim wrote: post #160
pluc wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have to disagree. I looked for a long time before I found my last gig (that ended in 2022). I had a LinkedIn and it wasn't much different, it took me months to find something. I still have a linkedin account to look for jobs, but that's it. No connections, no work history. What's relevant is on my resume anyway so I don't see what having a regular linkedin account would do. I deleted it when I found that job becaus…

You are delusional if you think having a good LinkedIn doesn't improve your chances of getting hired... Maybe not for every job, but for many of them, surely.

> You are delusional if you think having a good LinkedIn doesn't improve your chances of getting hired... Maybe not for every job, but for many of them, surely.

This isn't universal in every market. Business is very insular here and work follows referrals and introductions. You have those and you have work. Without them, Linkedin won't help.

I'm 35yr in IT; I plug into my clients in a way that I learn their processes - inc hiring. Few white collar employers here use Linkedin. I've never worked with one who did.

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

#286

Post by qaid »

In 2019 I left my cushy job because I wanted $$$ but couldn't push myself to leetcode.

I spent much of that year on personal projects and family before I could seriously commit myself. Then covid happened.

It took 2.5yr before I worked again, in FAANG. There were many moments of feeling down and alone.

I'm unemployed again, 3 months now, this time after being laid off. I wish I could just concentrate my efforts on developing products and monetizing them. But since I have a family to support, I decided to spend time on these projects only to reward myself for grinding leetcode & system design.

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

#287

Post by bix6 »

it_is_beautiful wrote: post #249
bix6 wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To get out of the isolation cycle you have to stop isolating yourself. Go for a walk and talk to a stranger. I talked to a random dude for 45 mins the other day and he showed me all the fish he’s caught. Epic. Sounds like you like software. Go to a software meet up and geek out. The friends will come but even a 5 min conversation can have a huge impact on your psyche so just get out there in a way that you feel comfo…

The issue is deeper, I think. When I go to software meetups, I feel bitter. I used to have friends in technology, but most of them I cut off without a word, and those that reach out I resent. When I'm outside of my hometown, I feel like I can't relate to anyone, and when I'm back... it's hard to describe. I'd rather disappear than have anyone see or think about me. It's hard to even go get groceries now. I used to ha…

You ever go backpacking? Maybe some time alone in nature will refresh you and help you reframe the human connection.

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

#288

Post by bix6 »

johnh-hn wrote: post #255
bix6 wrote: post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You looking at startups? I’ve seen a few started by people who turned their deafness or blindness into a new idea / product.

I've had one idea in mind for a few years now. It's outside of my normal skill set so it's risky to pursue at the moment. But maybe I should start putting a little time into it even if it's just to help recharge my batteries somewhat.

No risk no reward. Might be an energizing challenge for you.

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

#289

Post by apsurd »

no_nobud wrote: post #281

Yep. I'm an Electrical Engineer, 10+ years of experience in systems (automation, robotics, etc.). I left my job back in 2023, which I regret now, but I didn't leave because it wasn't paying well (it was low wage), or anything, but because of the management and daily harassment. However, I should have let them terminate me instead to collect unemployment. The first few months I spent trying to make my own work, since…

a nurse is not the janitor of healthcare jobs.

Your first hand experience with how brutal the job market is is real. And it definitely feels like zero sum when it comes down to "a woman gets hired for reasons over me" but i must call out how dangerous this line of thinking becomes.

Also obviously not anyone can become an engineer. please don't be so dismissive of others.

if you're willing to put in the learning to become a plumber that seems like a positive path forward.

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

#290

Post by pluc »

sanswork wrote: post #207
pluc wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have to disagree. I looked for a long time before I found my last gig (that ended in 2022). I had a LinkedIn and it wasn't much different, it took me months to find something. I still have a linkedin account to look for jobs, but that's it. No connections, no work history. What's relevant is on my resume anyway so I don't see what having a regular linkedin account would do. I deleted it when I found that job becaus…

You've applied to 400 jobs and had 3 responses and no success to be blunt your option about what you need to do to get hired is worth zero. You refuse to change anything about your process, you aren't working to improve it, you are arguing against people telling them you don't need to do common/standard things. This thread is a pretty good insight into why you are failing and what you need to work on.

Like I said, i had a legit linkedin account before i closed it and it never felt like it did anything for me. I have changed plenty about my process, from cv iterations and reviews, ai assistance to cater to job posts in cv and cover letters, etc. Of course i think all the information is great, but i also have first hand knowledge and experience. If you think all that's missing is a furnished LinkedIn account then i can tell you that it isn't accurate - in my experience.
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