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Ask HN: Getting back to the hiring scene post-hiatus (& all the tech layoffs)?

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Ask HN: Getting back to the hiring scene post-hiatus (& all the tech layoffs)?

#1

Post by rabbits_unite »

3 years ago I quit my job at a big tech company in order to attend to a family issue. And after that and with the pandemic, I realized I needed some time away from work to try and catch up to my life as a person, as I used to work a lot, and use some of my savings early.

I was hoping to get back to working later this year or early next year, but the news looks more and more grim by the day, with all those tech layoffs in the tens of thousands, and the warnings of recession.

I worked as an IC lead for many years, as well as a technical manager. And I mostly specialized in backend algorithmic and machine learning systems.

I kept myself sharp in some areas, but I'm also realistic that someone who has been away for that long is not a desirable resume.

I'm looking for some observations, big and small, on where the tech community is at right now, what are the top required skillsets now, what's different in the hiring processes today, and any relevant personal experiences from anyone who left the field for a few years and succeeded in coming back.

Example of a "small observation": back in the time when I last interviewed for a job, we used to do a phone screen first. But it appears that nowadays everyone wants to get you on a video call instead.

Re: Ask HN: Getting back to the hiring scene post-hiatus (& all the tech layoffs)?

#4

Post by rabbits_unite »

mpaepper wrote: post #2

Can you showcase any projects you've worked at in the mean time? That way you could fill some gaps with project stories which might make it easier for you. Good luck with the search!

I see the benefit of that. At my previous jobs, I worked on some big name products in use today. I don't have a public personal dev repo profile (with all of those years working under heavy NDAs).

The private projects I worked on afterwards were minor pet projects for day-to-day life improvements (I don't think those matter).

I think this is maybe one place to begin with: create some public projects.

Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: Getting back to the hiring scene post-hiatus (& all the tech layoffs)?

#7

Post by rabbits_unite »

1attice wrote: post #6

Something similar happened to me many years ago. I advise starting with contract work (which is often much easier to get,) and use that to re-establish a recent work history. Projects on Github are great as well.

What is the most important thing to know about contract work, for someone who had only done full-time employment jobs before?

E.g. Do you need to be an some online platform to get projects? How do you protect yourself from financial abuse (someone not paying you)? Do you need a lawyer at all times? Should you create a legal entity of some sort so you're a "company" and use that instead of getting projects as an individual?

Re: Ask HN: Getting back to the hiring scene post-hiatus (& all the tech layoffs)?

#9

Post by gregjor »

Having done the hiatus thing myself my advice: talk to everyone you used to work with or know from previous jobs. Renew your professional contacts and follow up with any referrals or leads you get. Finding jobs through contacts and colleagues will almost always turn up more solid leads than filling out applications online or digging through job boards.

Contracting/freelancing can work too, but you still have to find the work. Those budgets got crunched too. Referrals and word of mouth work best for finding freelance work, too. You might want to look into agencies and contract shops (disclaimer: 10X Management represents me as a freelancer).

Re: Ask HN: Getting back to the hiring scene post-hiatus (& all the tech layoffs)?

#10

Post by gregjor »

rabbits_unite wrote: post #7
1attice wrote: post #6

Something similar happened to me many years ago. I advise starting with contract work (which is often much easier to get,) and use that to re-establish a recent work history. Projects on Github are great as well.

What is the most important thing to know about contract work, for someone who had only done full-time employment jobs before? E.g. Do you need to be an some online platform to get projects? How do you protect yourself from financial abuse (someone not paying you)? Do you need a lawyer at all times? Should you create a legal entity of some sort so you're a "company" and use that instead of getting projects as an indiv…

> Do you need to be an some online platform to get projects?

No. You need to either find work on your own or have a pipeline. Word of mouth and referrals work best. Start with former employers and colleagues. Companies in related businesses can outsource to you -- web design and marketing firms usually outsource programming and even system admin, for example.

Alternately you can work through an agency (10X Management represents me as a freelancer), or a contract shop such as TopTal.

> How do you protect yourself from financial abuse (someone not paying you)?

Work for people you trust, walk away from customers who give you a bad feeling. Don't work on spec, don't discount. Don't put yourself in the position of your customer owing you a lot of money. Agree on clear deliverables and prices. Contracts will not protect you.

> Do you need a lawyer at all times?

No. You should never need a lawyer unless you need to negotiate a tricky NDA or contract. Once you have lawyers involved your billable hours go down and you end up paying the lawyers. In most US states breach of contract and similar disputes go to arbitration anyway, a process that can take a long time and more often than not ends up with both sides splitting the difference and losing money in the process.

> Should you create a legal entity of some sort so you're a "company" and use that instead of getting projects as an individual?

You can if you want, but unless you have employees or significant assets at risk you can operate as a sole proprietor in your own name. An LLC or S-corp can offer some protection in case of a lawsuit, but you should avoid those possibilities in the first place. An LLC or corporation may offer some tax advantages, but generally single-owner LLCs just pass through income to your schedule C (business income). Keep it simple, no reason to create a bunch of paperwork and compliance issues -- focus on billable time.

Don't get in the position of a customer owing you a lot of money, and don't put yourself in the position of owing your customer a lot of work you can't deliver on.

I have some free (no ads or popups or affiliate links) articles about freelancing on my site typicalprogrammer.com.

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