Got laid off (as a CTO) in January from a subsidiary of a big famous multinational. Had a few interviews since, made the last 2 on one occasion, but the 1 who got it then had to lay off ~50 engineers as his first project. Dodged a bullet?
Another place made an offer, but then failed to raise what they hoped on Series B, and pulled the offer.
Applied to lots of other places, lowered expectations, etc, mainly just getting ghosted now. Even the personal network has dried up, everyone is circling wagons. I can't really put my finger on what's gone so wrong.
My self-confidence has definitely taken a hit. Some days I'm pretty low.
But I'm turning a side hustle into a proper bootstrap startup and enjoying that. MVP done and I have my first customer! I have a few months cash left before I start having to sell things... :( fingers crossed.
I've definitely become more cynical about the industry than before. One thing that I'm really cynical about is big tech companies, especially but not only in the consulting space, that show off their social justice credentials, e.g. International Womens Day, diverse hiring, etc. That's all a big fat lie.
I survived 2001 quite well, I had a PE-backed startup then, and made it to late 2002 before it got shut down by the PE guys. By that time the market was picking up again and I've never had trouble getting good, well-paid work ... until now.
Another place made an offer, but then failed to raise what they hoped on Series B, and pulled the offer.
Applied to lots of other places, lowered expectations, etc, mainly just getting ghosted now. Even the personal network has dried up, everyone is circling wagons. I can't really put my finger on what's gone so wrong.
My self-confidence has definitely taken a hit. Some days I'm pretty low. But I'm turning a side hustle into a proper bootstrap startup and enjoying that. MVP done and I have my first customer! I have a few months cash left before I start having to sell things... :( fingers crossed.
I've definitely become more cynical about the industry than before. One thing that I'm really cynical about is big tech companies, especially but not only in the consulting space, that show off their social justice credentials, e.g. International Womens Day, diverse hiring, etc. That's all a big fat lie.
I survived 2001 quite well, I had a PE-backed startup then, and made it to late 2002 before it got shut down by the PE guys. By that time the market was picking up again and I've never had trouble getting good, well-paid work ... until now.