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Ask HN: Are you ok?

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Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#61

Post by dev_dull »

no_wizard wrote: post #44

I've struggled a lot in the last few months in particular. I feel extremely isolated in my work. I don't feel like I have a good team environment right now. Everyone is segregated across campus which in and of itself is okay (I've done remote work stuff before, and been on teams where you didn't sit near each other) but nobody talks to each other, like ever. And I feel like I'm missing expectations because of it, and…

Even if perception did not match reality in your case, that situation feels crummy to me. We spend too much time at work to not feel a sense of competence and accomplishment. Maybe it’s time to make hay in another field.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#62

Post by swat535 »

bpchaps wrote: post #32
quantumwoke wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you say that? I think there's a lot of things that are really great about tech industry and there's some things that aren't so great. What's been your experience?

This field fucking sucks. I'm tired of being on call 24/7/365. I'm tired of having to explain why plaintext passwords are bad. I'm tired of being taken advantage of for being a generalist. I'm tired of ex-google asshole bosses with massive egos. I'm tired of carrying a laptop with me "just in case". I'm tired of the constantly shifting "popular" technologies. I'm tired of spending weekends indoors studying for work,…

You forgot the crown jewel of all: Tech interviews which consists of completely unrelated questions to the position itself

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#63

Post by AusTosser »

TBH I dont know.

I go to work every day When I'm home I hide into my digital life Work is 24/7/365 I have imposter syndrome, constantly, in everything. I was looking forward to "The book of mormon" for years when i finally got to see it the other night, i had to pretend to laugh. I'm an empty husk. I dont know that I feel anything much anymore.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#64

Post by timwaagh »

If somebody asks me this question i know i'm coming across in a very negative way and the best thing to do is to leave, even if i am feeling only a bit tired. Generally my only consolation is that the person asking the question does it so that he can feel good about himself.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#65

Post by hazeii »

How did we even end up here?

As a greybeard, messing with computers has always been fun for me. Yet somehow, slowly the system has morphed it into a way to grind talented people into the ground with impossible deadlines and insane demands - to the point where we need websites like this.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#66

Post by bradenb »

akhilcacharya wrote: post #8
algaeontoast wrote: post #3

Not really, I’ve been looking for work for about three months after my team at a FANG was let go due to a legal fuck up by my boss. I’ve been leetcoding but have only passed 3/7 tech screens only to be ghosted for the on-site after a pass or passed up after the on-site. Starting to question if I was ever creative or really good at this profession - but don’t think I’m skilled enough or have the energy to do my own st…

Which prior company? I could swing a referral for you if it wasn't Amazon.

I'm not saying at all that OP doesn't deserve it, but is it common practice to refer someone that you don't know?

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#67

Post by ptero »

JaumeGreen wrote: post #40
klenwell wrote: post #11

As a team lead, one question I always ask in my 1-on-1's: On a scale of 1-5 (low good, high bad), what's your stress level since we last met? If my teammate says 4 or 5, I ask what we can do to bring it down to a 3. We also address this as part of the simple assessment we do in each sprint retrospective. My company struggles to define meaningful KPIs and OKRs. This is the one that's most important to me.

What if the stress is mostly from outside the job? Some of it could be "solvable" (better pay, better hours, ...), but some of it may not (family problems, health issues, ...). Is it taken into account or addressed?

I think trying to solve personal (e.g., non work related) problems is a minefield. I would not, as a team lead, go there beyond a generic offer to talk. Most companies likely have standard policies for health and similar personal issues and trying to make your own policy on any serious issue there can backfire badly.

But job-related stress is there and is often solvable (e.g., a developer may be stressed if he committed to a a week's worth of work done in 2 days, etc.). My 2c.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#68

Post by Bootwizard »

open-paren wrote: post #41

I'm kinda struggling right now. I'm a few months from graduating with a BS in CS, and I'm scared. Not scared about getting a job (I've had a few internships and have a solid handshake return offer from more than one of them) or “the next step” (kids? house?) independently, just the combination of all those things. How do I find a job that's is within a same commute distance, but also affordable? How do I find a job t…

I'm 3 years into my career and I can tell you I felt exactly the same way.

A few things:

- You don't need to buy a house outright, get a loan. The only big cost is just the downpayment (5-20% of the price)

- There are no shortage of jobs out there for you as a new grad, but there are very few good jobs (at least where I live, YMMV). It's ok to work somewhere you don't like that pays the bills for a year and then find something better once you have more experience

- Another point on housing: rent as long as you can because mobility is a blessing. You may find a fantastic job across the country, and if you have a house it will make it that much harder to leave. Imo, stability is for older people who know they're going to work for a single company the rest of their careers.

A lot of this is opinion, so take it how you will.

Re: Ask HN: Are you ok?

#69

Post by Haga »

klenwell wrote: post #11

As a team lead, one question I always ask in my 1-on-1's: On a scale of 1-5 (low good, high bad), what's your stress level since we last met? If my teammate says 4 or 5, I ask what we can do to bring it down to a 3. We also address this as part of the simple assessment we do in each sprint retrospective. My company struggles to define meaningful KPIs and OKRs. This is the one that's most important to me.

I know burnout patients who until breakdown where " at 3". Hire a recruiter to ask them whether they are searching.. More honesty that way.
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