What if I don't find a job? | Hacker News Reader

What if I don't find a job?

9 pointswishiknew6 comments

When you learn that most of the guys you graduated with haven't found a job, you start to think that maybe you weren't the problem, but the system is. (Schools say "there are plenty of job ads out there!", employers say "But you weren't taught anything useful at school!"). I'm actually one of the luckiest of the bunch because I do have a few opportunities and I'm confident I can turn one of them into a position - I'll know more about that at the end of the month. Until then, my anarchist/rebel/artist side can't help but wonder: what if I couldn't find a job in the IT field? Life is extremely pricey here and unemployment services aren't going to give me anything. On the other hand, I don't feel it's my mom who should financially suffer from this. I'm 25 and I see a lot of people of my age still at their parents'. In my case, though, my mom deserves some rest. Given that one of my websites brings from $400 to $600 a month (and has for a few years) and that I have a few thousands in my bank account, I'm wondering if I shouldn't move to a peripheral area of a more affordable country (I'm thinking Portugal) and live very simply over there, as I know broke students have done in Berlin or Austin? I don't need more than a computer and books to entertain myself. I wouldn't know where to start except for airbnb.com, though. Does anybody have any advice to give me, a story or useful links to share? Thanks. PS: this is just my mind wandering and I'm probably never going to do this, but still, I'm interested.

The first advice I would give you: Be patient. I spent a good time of my tweenties working as skiing instructor, soundtecnician, bartender, soccorista etc. Now I'm SWDev now and really can enjoy the benefits of a good paying job, but I couldn't if I wouldn't have lived out these punkrockdays. So I think it is totally ok to not have a complete lifeplane with 25. You'll get right some time, I promise.

Next you want a job, look for one. Check google for softwarecompanies in your area and just apply for a job. You can code? That's great, most companies, I know in my area are looking desperatly for developers. You can't code you still can get a job in Support,Testing, Documentation(well obviously not me, not a navtive speaker...). Don't be afraid of the requirments they put in their application forms, that's BS from HR. While we are at it, avoid HR and recruiting staff/companies, if you can get involved with one of the techguys ask them for a job. My first job in SW i got through a ScrumMaster of a company, I had to supply my CV 2years later when I was promoted and HR never realized I didn't hand them in.

I know being in a situation like yours is exhausting, I've been there,others have been there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbnFJVgBcw0

Keep on trying

"I had to supply my CV 2years later when I was promoted and HR never realized I didn't hand them in."

I hope you submitted a one-page CV listing two years of experience with their company. ;)

I don't see how NOT "moving out" is a bad anything.

It's a cultural agenda pushed by some folks, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with living with your mom and taking care of her like she took care of you in your younger days.

Combining your 2 incomes, you could quickly move out of debt, make a smart property investment together with your mom and through that, set her up for a decent retirement income on top of any pension she receives.

You may not get to live out "experiences" like all the hipsters that promote that lifestyle, but life will carry on as normal (unless you decide to relocate yourself and your mom to a place with better weather and cheaper living).

In the end, take my advice with a pinch of salt, but don't forget your mom and what she has done for you.

Check out https://nomadlist.com/ for a list of the best places to go to do this kind of thing.

If I was in your position I'd book a flight to somewhere like Chiang Mai in Thailand (cheap, traveller-friendly, lots of English spoken, way more comfortable than you might expect).

With your budget, AirBnB if you can find somewhere cheap, otherwise bunk in a hostel dorm (hostelworld.com).

Check out Punspace (or whatever local co-working space is available where you are), go to meetups there, you'll meet several other "digital nomads". Tell everyone you meet that you can code and you're looking for remote freelance jobs. Best bet is to meet successful remote freelancers, they will almost always have clients or know clients who need more work.

Wish I knew. But if it were me I'd be leery of moving too far away from "where the jobs are," even if I had to live somewhere more affordable on the periphery, or with family as many do/are.

This has also been a point of consideration in taking a remote job and living...remotely. Or that job in a dream locale without a strong marketplace--what if it doesn't work out?

OTOH this (and essentially all) advice is meaningless, and you should do what you want. Maybe one person plays it safe and stays comfortably employed yet miserable, while another moves to some far-flung destination, earns little but has a blast. Who knows?

Where are you located? Get involved in Meetups - that's really the answer.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com