Ask HN: Has anyone else been unemployed for over two years? • Hacker News Board

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

#291

Post by mgh95 » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 12:58 AM UTC

jpalawaga wrote: post #283

mgh95 wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 dec…

I don't know what to tell you but on the front of:

> 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.

Canada has shockingly little choice when it comes to trade partners. They are literally physically attached to the US and trade is much simpler when working with the US, whether Canada likes it or not. CETA hasn't yet been ratified; Canada has bungled trade with China since harper; Mexico is at best a cheap labor destination that can replace India for Canada. The only real staying power Canada has is exporting raw materials, and even that effectively turns Canada into a resource extraction colony. That's not a happy ending, either.

Canadian businesses have fewer options than many would like to admit, so it makes sense they are keeping up their economic activity with the US.

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

#292

Post by throwaway1492 » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 12:58 AM UTC

codegeek wrote: post #150

com2kid wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not having LinkedIn is ruining your chances. Candidates without a LinkedIn are going to come across as a scam in the very least, 90% of the time your application will just get tossed if you can't be found on LI.

Pretty much this. I know lot of people hate Linkedin but the fact is that if you are a job candidate and have little to no Linkedin, it's a huge potential red flag in today's world. Lot of scammers, overemployeds/moonlighters out there.

When I was moonlighting LinkedIn didn’t affect me. Every time I applied/interviewed and got hired for a w2 job, I just left my last non moonlighting employer on there, and checked the “please don’t contact current employer” checkbox. I hadn’t worked there in over a year.

Didn’t my new employer want me to update my LinkedIn? That never came up, but if it would have I would have delayed. Why should I support their business model.

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

#293

Post by MarkMarine » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:01 AM UTC

ethbr1 wrote: post #264

craftkiller wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do people still do endorsements on LinkedIn? There was an initial flurry when that "feature" launched but I haven't been endorsed for anything for I think the past decade. Really the only things I do on LinkedIn are update my job history and accept connections from coworkers.

Imho, anything past where you've worked on LinkedIn is a waste of time. And arguably even a negative signal. Productive people have jobs to do instead of grinding Monopoly karma. Yes, this absolutely includes LinkedIn thought leadership. I know MS and recruiters love to push the 'it matters' line, but I'd ask the reader -- who would you rather hire: someone who wow'd in an interview or someone with LinkedIn flair?

<3 I thought I was alone in this

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

#294

Post by joewhale » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:04 AM UTC

ravloony wrote: post #83

kilroy123 wrote: post #44

Yes, but intentionally. I am not stopping until I am a successful entrepreneur. I refuse to go back to a full-time software job. I have had to do some long stints freelancing or agency work to make ends meet. Gotta do what you gotta do. But I'm not going back or stopping until I make it.

Same here! We should have an e-coffee or something. I'm currently building my second indie project. I would love to compare notes

I relate but I'm more on the sales/gtm side of things if y'all want a third as company!

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

#295

Post by eek2121 » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:04 AM UTC

jasonriddle wrote: post #35

I've been unemployed for about 1 year now. I was in SF working in tech for about 7 years, and decided I don't want to do that anymore, so I quit. It's been tough. The hardest part about being unemployed is it is very hard to structure your days because work is no longer the thing that is forcing you to get up, get out, go to bed on time, etc. It's also a strange feeling having to spend from your savings/emergency fun…

I was in tech for over 20 years, and went from being good at my job/successful to being permanently disabled. My entire life was wired around providing for my family and supporting everyone around me both financially, and via my success.

I've lost that identity, and despite extensive therapy, meds, etc. I still haven't found myself yet.

I know I'll be okay, however.

Stay frosty. Things will work out. Cheers!

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

#296

Post by names_are_hard » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:04 AM UTC

iLoveOncall wrote: post #103

elanora96 wrote: post #36

Yes, laid off in 2023 and haven't found a tech job since. Due to significant life and family health circumstances, anything that isn't a career job is hard to justify while caring for myself and others. I've spent the last two years volunteering a local bike co-op and getting way to into bike building and cycling generally. Additionally, I spend a lot of time doing what I can to help my local trans community (that I…

I would honestly suggest a more professional tld and a better looking website if you want to land a job...

I guess it depends on who reads it but I don't see any issue with it. FWIW - I'm not a recruiter it manager but I've been an interviewer at various tech companies.

My impression from the resume is that she's relatively junior with limited experience, but not zero, and her experience is in unsexy tech stacks, and she did a bootcamp. So she is fighting am uphill battle in a tough market. But I don't get the impression that she's unprofessional or immature because of the whimsical website.

I'm any case, I wish her luck, and I believe that there are roles out there that would be a good fit for her and she can gain more experience. She just needs that first break... Which is hard to get

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

#297

Post by rhetocj23 » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:05 AM UTC

johnh-hn wrote: post #258

rhetocj23 wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Personally I think it is obvious what a better method could be if it could exist. The question is how to get that thing to exist.

If you think there is a better way, explore it and find out. I mean that sincerely. What is obvious to you isn't necessarily obvious to anyone else. You never know what may come of it.

Thats exactly what im doing. Im working on a project with the UK govt.

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

#298

Post by ihnorton » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:06 AM UTC

com2kid wrote: post #133

pluc wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've done a few rounds of CV edits and reviews early on, it hasn't helped. It's worth noting that the initial CV I had was one where I never had trouble finding work with. Edit: misunderstood "referrals" for "references" so edited my reply out. No, I've never asked for referrals from past colleagues.

Not having LinkedIn is ruining your chances. Candidates without a LinkedIn are going to come across as a scam in the very least, 90% of the time your application will just get tossed if you can't be found on LI.

Seconding. These days I will rarely talk to anyone without a verified LinkedIn or other presence like a clearly inhabited GitHub (and I’m not looking for hyperactivity by any means)

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

#299

Post by sjsdaiuasgdia » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:09 AM UTC

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…

The left hand of the chart in the 2nd link provides some perspective for this year's numbers.

July 2024 through Jan 2025, the YoY numbers are always in the 7%-9% range. Averages to 7.7% across those months.

Feb 2025 to July 2025, there's only a single month (April) in that range. We've got 2 months at 1% YoY growth, one break even, and two negative. Those months average out to about 0.7%. If you include Jan 2025 to align to the calendar year 2025, you get 1.57%, which seems to be the number that becomes 'nearly 2 percent' in the text under the chart.

While it is still positive growth, it's 20% of the YoY growth trend for several months heading up to 2025. If you take out Jan 2025 (2/3 of which Trump was not yet president), it's only 10%.

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

#300

Post by frenchman_in_ny » Sat, Sep 20, 2025, 1:09 AM UTC

Yes, I'm exactly that situation. Mid-40s. My background is in finance - investment banking. I spent 16 years at the same firm, before being actively recruited over to an industry-leading bank but in an adjacent sector (UHNW lending). Less than a year into that, I was laid off as part of a large reduction in force. "Sorry, last in first out, here's two weeks". Thankfully the RIF was large enough that it triggered a WARN Notice, so I got an additional 3 months out of it.

I've gone through my network multiple times, asked for referrals, have applied to 2,000+ job openings that I've seen on LinkedIn, have tried networking meetings, you name it. I'm in NYC and not geographically mobile (raising 2 kids, divorced), but I've applied to jobs in FL, Chicago, etc where I would try to make it work being in an office part time around my schedule. I've applied to totally different sectors.

The recruiting merry-go-around is brutal. ATS to enter resume data, automatic rejection emails (sometimes within under 24h!). The "what have you done the last two years" question kills me -- I've looked for a job, that's what I've done.