An old hacker's tips on staying employed (2021)

madned.substack.com

31 points·atorodius··5 comments

I would argue the most important step in "riding the bull" as the OP puts it is having savings[0]. In the context of keeping a job, having a savings cushion relieves a lot of stress and makes it much easier to make good long-term decisions (like taking the risk of leaving a company in a downward spiral for something unknown, but hopefully better.)

0 - https://jlcollinsnh.com/2011/06/06/why-you-need-f-you-money/

I agree. Too many people think of savings as a "nice to have" that you can skip when times are hard. But I have learned that savings are very nearly mandatory. Enough so that I'll start skipping meals before I start reducing contributing to savings.

If nothing else, having the ability to go for a good length of time without an income gives you the runway to be thoughtful and more selective when it comes time for job-hunting.

Nice writeup, thanks a lot. Especially the last point “Two-And-Done” Rule is a very good advice. Thanks!

Can't agree more. I have the feeling I've been in a similar situation very recently and following this principle would have served me better.

That's really the piece from this article I will bring home.

So, "it is really mostly a matter of luck", and just do so much work that they decide to fire someone else... sigh. If only there was some way for the workers to negotiate collectively for working terms that avoid mass layoffs whenever the interest rates go the wrong way.

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