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Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

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Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#41

Post by ubertaco »

saturdayplace wrote: post #23
dopamean wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does "setting up a fizzbuzz" mean?

"fizzbuzz" is coding exercise, used by companies looking to screen out applicants who claim to be able to code, but in fact cannot. The applicant is asked to write a short program that prints the numbers 1-100 (or whatever). When the number is divisible by 3, instead of printing it, print the word "fizz". When divisibly by 5, print "buzz". When divisible by both, print "fizzbuzz." To anyone who actually can code, it…

Still sounds like the developer version of the annoying "have your people call my people, let's do lunch" cliché.

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#42

Post by sogen »

Pearmarket looks confusing, but honestly, just launch it. Remove stuff and ship.

btw, map doesn't load: https://order.pearmarket.co/map

About page is very very interesting, my suggestion: move the Offers and Needs to the frontpage, that looks like one of the most important things in the whole site.

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#43

Post by bjr- »

coned88 wrote: post #18
evo_9 wrote: post #14

So my guess is this is the first time you've been let go, or this is the first time as an adult (post-college) during your profession that you've been let go. Relax, it happens. This doesn't mean you aren't a terrific developer and person to work with. Take a little time to think about what you've worked on, what you've accomplished in the past 6-12 months I think you'll see what a great position you really are in. A…

What's the benefit of a startup? Seems like more hours for less pay while always needing to get things done. I fail to see the appeal. They just have lunches and dinners which appeal to people.

Leverage.

Everything you do is magnified, good and bad.

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#44

Post by nilkn »

I've always told myself that if I'm ever laid off in my 20s or early 30s (at the latest) and I don't have kids yet or a mortgage then I'll become a dentist.

It's something I've always wanted to do, but I can't really justify giving up a great job with a great income to go back to school. But should I find myself unexpectedly without said job, then maybe I just would, unless other obligations prevent it.

My point is simply -- is there something for you which plays the equivalent role of dentistry? If so, maybe this is your opportunity to pursue it without feeling guilty about giving up a great job. If not, then I recommend following all the other advice here.

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#45

Post by ssharp »

SomeCallMeTim wrote: post #32
ctb_mg wrote: post #13

> your situation Staying in Cleveland depends on if you like Cleveland or not. Unsure about the opportunities there, but I have an inkling that there are more varied and interesting opportunities elsewhere. Consider taking the opportunity to move somewhere that is going to be a great area for you to raise a child (if that is something in your future). Not many people have the luxury (as we do in our industry) of bein…

>Staying in Cleveland depends on if you like Cleveland or not. This. I have no experience myself living in Cleveland, so I have no opinion on it, but from the outside it doesn't seem to have a lot to recommend it. In fact it's sometimes used as an example of a generic city. [1] BUT if you [OP] have a strong network of friends there, that alone could be reason to stay. If you're at all considering starting something n…

"We have never been to Cleveland, know nothing about it, but you shouldn't live there".

No. No. No. No. No.

Don't move because other people don't think your city is cool enough. Move because you want to.

I live in Northeast Ohio and have never had trouble finding a job. There are plenty of opportunities locally and you always have remote options. OP lives here, has seemingly been there long enough to evaluate it, and should be able to figure out what location makes sense for him!

If you'd be happier elsewhere, or think there are more interesting companies elsewhere, you should move. But people's uninformed opinions need not be considered.

Cleveland's tech ecosystem isn't great but it's improving.

You could try checking out opportunities at younger companies via JumpStart (http://www.jumpstartinc.org/jobsatcompanies.aspx)

Cleveland isn't San Francisco or New York, but it's not BFE, either.

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#46

Post by eastbayjake »

SomeCallMeTim wrote: post #32
ctb_mg wrote: post #13

> your situation Staying in Cleveland depends on if you like Cleveland or not. Unsure about the opportunities there, but I have an inkling that there are more varied and interesting opportunities elsewhere. Consider taking the opportunity to move somewhere that is going to be a great area for you to raise a child (if that is something in your future). Not many people have the luxury (as we do in our industry) of bein…

>Staying in Cleveland depends on if you like Cleveland or not. This. I have no experience myself living in Cleveland, so I have no opinion on it, but from the outside it doesn't seem to have a lot to recommend it. In fact it's sometimes used as an example of a generic city. [1] BUT if you [OP] have a strong network of friends there, that alone could be reason to stay. If you're at all considering starting something n…

You do make a very good point that there are opportunities outside of Cleveland -- and Boulder is awesome! -- but Cleveland does have things to recommend it.

My sister-in-law works part-time for a tech company in Cleveland. The cost of living is insanely low (like $400/mo for an entire house in some places) and that allows her to be a full-time artist without needing a full-time job to live. I'd imagine the low cost of living would also make it easier for a freelancer to be selective about clients, should OP choose to take that route.

Many of these Rust Belt and Midwestern cities are becoming centers of hipsterdom. Who would have thought ten years ago that you would see young people moving to Pittsburgh, Detroit, Des Moines, or Omaha to start trendy restaurants and open art galleries? But now I see the reason: it's cheap to live, you can probably afford to buy a house, the public schools are decent, and there's a small community of likeminded people who'd rather do meaningful things than stay on the work treadmill to afford SF or NYC. The same thing is happening in Cleveland, at least from what I've seen.

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#47

Post by roberthahn »

You're getting a lot of fantastic ideas and advice. You're in the position to cherry pick any that makes sense to you. Best of luck in landing your next gig!

My suggestion is to go to meetup.com and look for groups you'd be interested in. Then spend time mingling with those people. I was going to add tips for how to network effectively, but I don't want to assume - you may already be good at it!

Here's a link of meetups in your area related to startups: http://www.meetup.com/find/?allMeetups=false&keywords=startu...

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#48

Post by eof »

If you don't mind doing freelance work you will probably find it surprisingly easy. Offer your skills to design shops; they tend to be strong in design but weak in engineering.. the best part is that a lot of them will build their designs into flat html; so you just implement their html and css and do the backend work.

If you can build stuff; you are ready for freelance work.

Re: Ask HN: I got let go this morning. What should I do next?

#49

Post by JDDunn9 »

Sounds eerily similar to my situation a month ago. I'm 28, grew up in Cleveland, worked mostly with Angular, and was let go the other month too.

I'd start sewing seeds in every direction and see what takes root. Apply to jobs locally, and all over the country. You only have to consider moving if you get an offer. You can try kickstarter or getting an angel investor if you want to try your own software. Freelancing kinda sucks unless you have connections. It's hard to differentiate yourself and get a decent rate if you are just another person online. But again, you can give oDesk a shot and see how it fares.

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