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Ask HN: Facing unemployment – what now?

48 points octo888 | 1 comments | 16 May 25 18:36 UTC | HN request time: 0.43s | source

Hey everyone, I could really use some advice.

I’ll likely be out of a job soon — whether I’m fired or I quit first. Health issues, silent breakdowns, being on the spectrum, poor social skills have caused me to damage my work relationships beyond repair.

So, I'm planning my next steps.

Some context:

- I’m 40.

- I struggle with networking, so I have no professional connections.

- My savings can last about two year, and a part-time job could stretch that.

- I haven’t interviewed in years and get extremely anxious in interviews.

- I'm a tech generalist

- I'm quite disillusioned with tech + corporate world, and a bit burnt out. This AI hype, Agile, having to fake excitement about the latest shiny new thing, KPIs etc.

People say I'm pretty good with 2 non-tech things. There are some relatively easy (but not free) qualifications/courses I could do in those areas (I don't want to dox myself here with specifics). I'm open to being self employed.

I also would like to use this time to focus on my health (I have things I need to escalate with my doctor and I need to work on my body), see more of my family, and work on my mental health. I'd also be interested in using my skills for something other than making a rich person richer - something local, for a charity perhaps.

...or am I dreaming and this an indulgence I can't afford?

If you have advice, ideas, personal experiences, etc, I’d really appreciate it.

Show context
kccqzy ◴[16 May 25 20:05 UTC] No.44009325[source]▶
You are way too pessimistic. It would help if you find ways to make yourself more optimistic, whether that's through a long break or exercise or nature or your hobbies. I suggest starting with a long break.

> I’m 40.

If you think that's too old, no it's not. My manager is older than that when he got the current job.

> I struggle with networking, so I have no professional connections.

If you have coworkers you have professional connections.

> My savings can last about two year

That's not bad at all. Feel free to spend a half year to one year taking a break and the rest of the time preparing your next steps.

> I haven’t interviewed in years and get extremely anxious in interviews.

You need to be more confident in yourself. Interviewing is a skill that can be learned. Not being anxious also can be learned.

replies(1): >>44009495 #
1. octo888 ◴[16 May 25 20:24 UTC] No.44009495[source]▶
I go through ups and downs of positivity - it's been a life-long struggle. I wish I could flip it on as easy as firing up the laptop!

Obviously, right now, it's a bit of a difficult time...

> You need to be more confident in yourself

Again, I go through periods. Some days I look in the mirror and I think: you're going to smash it today. Others, I don't like to look in the mirror

I referenced some health/body challenges - confidence is a big reason I want to work on those issues.

> Not being anxious also can be learned

For sure. Just need to work on that