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1041 points mertbio | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.583s | source
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seanc ◴[] No.42841499[source]
I've been in high tech for 30 years, and I've been laid off many times, most often from failed start ups. I _strongly_ disagree with a fully cynical response of working only to contract, leveraging job offers for raises, etc.

There are a few reasons for this, but the most concrete is that your behavior in this job has an impact on getting the next one. The author is correct that exemplary performance will not save you from being laid off, but when layoffs come your next job often comes from contacts that you built up from the current job, or jobs before. If people know you are a standout contributor then you will be hired quickly into desirable roles. If people think you are a hired gun who only does the bare minimum that next role will be harder to find.

On top of that, carrying around bitterness and cynicism is just bad for you. Pride in good work and pleasure in having an impact on customers and coworkers is good for you. Sometimes that means making dumb business decisions like sacrificing an evening to a company that doesn't care, but IMO that sort of thing is worth it now and then.

To be sure, don't give your heart away to a company (I did that exactly once, never again) because a company will never love you back. But your co-workers will.

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ericjmorey ◴[] No.42841581[source]
> your behavior in this job has an impact on getting the next one

Don't over index on this. It's a small factor among many.

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milkshakes ◴[] No.42841737[source]
strong disagree. from extensive experience. it's a huge factor, and good referrals are really the only way to definitely get the job
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HarHarVeryFunny ◴[] No.42844297[source]
An internal referral by someone at the company you are applying to might carry some weight, or at least get you a foot in the door (interview), but I think it's been years/decades since past employers were willing to say more than "yes, he worked here", for fear of lawsuits.
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1. compiler-guy ◴[] No.42844483[source]
This is true in giant companies, but in smaller companies it is less true.

In smaller companies, "I worked with this person and they are really solid." carries a lot of weight.