Ask HN: Laid off after 2 months. What exactly should I be doing?
31 comments
I'd stop using Uber because you can't afford it and I would talk to my landlord to get them to give you better terms to break the lease since you clearly can't afford that either. Offer them to help find another tenant or try to get them to allow you to leave without another tenant lined up because they will end up with a renter in default, which will make it harder for them to get rid of you and will likely lose them money.
Also, I would take any job, even a non technical one, just to stay busy and to try to keep the bills paid and to stay in a regular rhythm.
For your medical / mental issues you should most likely simply consult a professional, no internet advise will help you there in ways that move the needle and/or are positive.
best of luck!
edit: And if you have family don't hesitate to call on them. I did so in hard up times and my kids do it with me and that's how it should be, it can take a while to find your bearings and that is one reason why family members should support each other. Of course if you don't have much family or they are in no position to help then you can safely ignore this.
Also, I would take any job, even a non technical one, just to stay busy and to try to keep the bills paid and to stay in a regular rhythm.
For your medical / mental issues you should most likely simply consult a professional, no internet advise will help you there in ways that move the needle and/or are positive.
best of luck!
edit: And if you have family don't hesitate to call on them. I did so in hard up times and my kids do it with me and that's how it should be, it can take a while to find your bearings and that is one reason why family members should support each other. Of course if you don't have much family or they are in no position to help then you can safely ignore this.
In Texas, landlords cannot double rent for an apartment. I am not sure what exactly it is called.
But once I was in situation where I had to move but had a lease. I talked with my apartment complex's office. They told me I can give 30 days notice to move out and then they will start showing my apartment immediately. I ll have to continue to pay rent until someone moves in. I paid one month's rent but then someone moved in within a week and they issued me partial refund for that month.
So this might be an option.
But once I was in situation where I had to move but had a lease. I talked with my apartment complex's office. They told me I can give 30 days notice to move out and then they will start showing my apartment immediately. I ll have to continue to pay rent until someone moves in. I paid one month's rent but then someone moved in within a week and they issued me partial refund for that month.
So this might be an option.
I only use Uber because there's no other transportation except for the 4 hour bus ride one-way.
4 hour bus ride it is then, the one thing you do have an abundance of is time.
Or at least $25 Uber ride in to arrive on time, 2-hour bus ride home. Or the reverse if you have groceries.
Or make friends with someone who commutes by car
When you are long on time but short on money things like Uber are no longer on the options list. Rule #1 of surviving when you are short on money is to make every decision right.
I have been in a similar position before. It really helped my mental health to have productive daily rituals. For example, I spent about one hour each day between exercise and duolingo. Just get out of the apartment and run like hell. Even if the remainder of the day was demoralizing, I at least felt like something meaningful was accomplished.
Like others have said, find any job, contact family and explain situation, etc.
If I absolutely had no other option, I would join the air force. Worst part is the minimum four year commitment. A few of my friends have done so. You can be an equipment technician in a hospital, see the world, and not deal with any violence.
Like others have said, find any job, contact family and explain situation, etc.
If I absolutely had no other option, I would join the air force. Worst part is the minimum four year commitment. A few of my friends have done so. You can be an equipment technician in a hospital, see the world, and not deal with any violence.
Stop mopping about it. Search for remote work as well, pick up cheap programming work online even if it's $10/15hr. Anything to get some pocket change coming in. Get a night job somewhere (security, inventory at a grocery store) that way you have your days free for interviews. Whatever you do you need extra income coming in, lack and loss of money is a major stressor. Talk to your landlord, they might someone to take over the lease. Place an add looking for someone to take over the lease. If a nice city, AirBnB the place once in a while, or sublet your room and sleep in the living room. Get outside everyday, go for a walk/jog, it's important to get fresh air. Everything will be alright.
You planned up on saving money by taking a $2k/month rental? You just started your career. People start their career by co-habitating with several of their colleagues.
The first step is to stop haemorrhaging cash. Check your local renting laws. If it allows you to stay for a few months before the law kick you out, then stop paying rent.
Take a side job (preferably night job) to make some cash to survive. Keep looking for a job. If you don't find and your rental kick out is approaching then rent a room.
And forget about Uber. Pretty sure there is some public transport bus that goes your way. (not necessarily your way but will connect you through). How do you think the majority of people are doing?
The first step is to stop haemorrhaging cash. Check your local renting laws. If it allows you to stay for a few months before the law kick you out, then stop paying rent.
Take a side job (preferably night job) to make some cash to survive. Keep looking for a job. If you don't find and your rental kick out is approaching then rent a room.
And forget about Uber. Pretty sure there is some public transport bus that goes your way. (not necessarily your way but will connect you through). How do you think the majority of people are doing?
My apartment costs <$1k/month.
If you need help, I can coach you for job interviews. I can say confidently that you will start clearing interviews a lot more often. I have been there and just would love to help you out of this situation.
Hit me up on [email protected]
Hit me up on [email protected]
Most importantly, talk to your landlord. Explain the situation and the effect it has on you. More often than not, people will surprise you with their empathy. The essential point here is honesty. Just open up to him. He may just offer to help you out. This can be even more valuable if you know no one else where you live. Also, file for unemployment and explain your condition there as well. You may get helpful pointers.
As has been said before: if you have family and are on good terms, don't wait any longer to ask for help. Everyone gets into shitty situations due to no fault of their own at one time or another, makes mistakes and needs to start over. That's one thing families are for: a safety net, a safe place. If you have none, get in touch with your closest friends. If you have none (like zero), search for a local depression self-help group and go to a meeting. People there will understand what you're going through and attempt to help you in getting your affairs in order. Seriously. It sounds unappealing, I know, but it works if you have no one else.
Also, get a used bike. Get used do riding it for extended periods of time. You have time, not money, remember. Plus, you'll get exercise this way, which is something that helps keep depression at bay. I realize that American suburbs are not the ideal place to get around in one but it can be done. If you're completely opposed to this, Google for ride-sharing or carpooling offers in your area.
After that, with the help of family, friends or empathetic people, either move back home, to a much smaller apartment, or join someone as their roommate. If you're truly paralyzed by depression, try to get a job (for the time being) that just requires simple tasks of you, showing up and doing easy work, like a local shop clerk, that's closest to your apartment. Avoid fast food jobs, they are soul-crushing. Adjust your living conditions to a student level.
If you can, try to volunteer for an open source project. It does not generate money but you get to interact with people, learn new things, success may lift your spirits and you have actual public work to refer to when applying for a coding job later.
As has been said before: if you have family and are on good terms, don't wait any longer to ask for help. Everyone gets into shitty situations due to no fault of their own at one time or another, makes mistakes and needs to start over. That's one thing families are for: a safety net, a safe place. If you have none, get in touch with your closest friends. If you have none (like zero), search for a local depression self-help group and go to a meeting. People there will understand what you're going through and attempt to help you in getting your affairs in order. Seriously. It sounds unappealing, I know, but it works if you have no one else.
Also, get a used bike. Get used do riding it for extended periods of time. You have time, not money, remember. Plus, you'll get exercise this way, which is something that helps keep depression at bay. I realize that American suburbs are not the ideal place to get around in one but it can be done. If you're completely opposed to this, Google for ride-sharing or carpooling offers in your area.
After that, with the help of family, friends or empathetic people, either move back home, to a much smaller apartment, or join someone as their roommate. If you're truly paralyzed by depression, try to get a job (for the time being) that just requires simple tasks of you, showing up and doing easy work, like a local shop clerk, that's closest to your apartment. Avoid fast food jobs, they are soul-crushing. Adjust your living conditions to a student level.
If you can, try to volunteer for an open source project. It does not generate money but you get to interact with people, learn new things, success may lift your spirits and you have actual public work to refer to when applying for a coding job later.
Get out of suburbia. Unless you have kids and the best school in the world is nearby.
Get help for your depression right away. It might be coming across unconsciously in your interviews.
Good luck! You can do it. You’re in a better situation than a huge percentage of the world. Think positive.
Get help for your depression right away. It might be coming across unconsciously in your interviews.
Good luck! You can do it. You’re in a better situation than a huge percentage of the world. Think positive.
You didn't mention your specific skills, but no matter what, start building a decent profile on linkedin and a portfolio ( take projects on upwork, fiverr, toptal, crossover... whatever ) right now. Heck, write a "how to" tutorial on medium....
Also look for a roommate, to decrease your fixed costs without breaking the lease. This could give you some ideas too: https://andrewhy.de/how-to-live-comfortably-on-36-a-month-fo...
Buy a second hand bicycle, and ditch uber... and, as soon as you can afford, go see a doctor !
Also look for a roommate, to decrease your fixed costs without breaking the lease. This could give you some ideas too: https://andrewhy.de/how-to-live-comfortably-on-36-a-month-fo...
Buy a second hand bicycle, and ditch uber... and, as soon as you can afford, go see a doctor !
Establish a daily routine where you are doing some moderate exercise and getting quality sleep. I highly recommend practicing job interviews so that you come across with the confidence and initiative that you would have if already employed.
You might want to get in touch with career office of the school where you got your CS degree as they may have resources that are useful.
Identify the technology that is most in line with your interests and the jobs to which you are applying and become proficient or an expert in it, preferably making something along the way that can be shown, demonstrated, or discussed.
You might want to get in touch with career office of the school where you got your CS degree as they may have resources that are useful.
Identify the technology that is most in line with your interests and the jobs to which you are applying and become proficient or an expert in it, preferably making something along the way that can be shown, demonstrated, or discussed.
I'm not any where near my school. Anyway, I already did mock interviews with my school last year, and did several mock interviews with principal engineers a few months ago. I'm also attending Toastmasters.
I already have several projects in Vue. No one asks about them during interviews.
I already have several projects in Vue. No one asks about them during interviews.
Mention them during interviews. You can't expect people to ask about the things that make you great. You have to use the things that make you great to justify yourself in interviews.
1. Stop using uber, that is a total luxury. Get a used bike off Ebay/craigslist/whatever for like $100.
2. Do something useful in your spare time. Like get a job at a fast food joint so you can pay your bills.
2. Do something useful in your spare time. Like get a job at a fast food joint so you can pay your bills.
I broke my lease last year. All I had to do was find a replacement tenant. I basically incurred no fees except the new tenant moved in slightly later than I moved out.
You are living life backwards. You have increased your expenses on how much you are making, not now much you have.
Regardless of the amount on your first paycheck, 7K should be your goal to cover rent FOR THE YEAR. 7k to break your lease, and uncertain employment, measures that you are living well beyond your means.
you cannot afford your place. Live like a student until you can manage your expenses.
Also immediately file for unemployment.
Regardless of the amount on your first paycheck, 7K should be your goal to cover rent FOR THE YEAR. 7k to break your lease, and uncertain employment, measures that you are living well beyond your means.
you cannot afford your place. Live like a student until you can manage your expenses.
Also immediately file for unemployment.
If you know your way around the web it is very easy to make a few grand per month. Build websites in WordPress. Post to social accounts for businesses. Offer simple SEO by using the yoast plugin. Host websites and provide updates. Blog for people.
I'm sorry your situation turned out poorly but it is far from grim. You have the power and ability to fix it. Do you have the motivation as well?
I'm sorry your situation turned out poorly but it is far from grim. You have the power and ability to fix it. Do you have the motivation as well?
A somewhat related aside: If you have any retirement savings, do not spend them unless you absolutely have to. Go bankrupt first. Many people who file for bankruptcy do not realize that retirement savings are generally untouchable even by a bankruptcy court.
TBH I don't know. I can propose you to come to the chat I'm on (in my profile). Some people could help you and you might feel better to talk with other human beings. You don't need to say you're that HN guy.
Courage and good luck.
Courage and good luck.
Have you tried freelancing? Try creating a profile on freelancer, upwork, etc. You can try it in the meantime because at least that may help you out with things like paying for uber. Good luck
No one is going to hire someone who can’t function, as you mentioned at the end.
One of my friend was in your shoes. After he got fired from the startup where he did lots of hard work without payoff. He just lost his faith in the system and sold off everything, moved to China.
Now he gives talks in local Chinese and Indian conferences shillings consultancy for companies.
He meets a lot of Chinese and Indians and now he has saved a lot of money to retire even by American standards.
One thing we don't recognize is that we might be more valualed in a country where we weren't born.
You are failing in America doesn't mean you'll fail in Thailand, India, China where my friends just because they are white get paid thousands of dollars for smiling for photops
There are many businesses in East who don't know anything about the US but still have software products which can potentially undercut western products on prices, if you show them the way to enter western market - you too can charge a premium for this.
Now he gives talks in local Chinese and Indian conferences shillings consultancy for companies.
He meets a lot of Chinese and Indians and now he has saved a lot of money to retire even by American standards.
One thing we don't recognize is that we might be more valualed in a country where we weren't born.
You are failing in America doesn't mean you'll fail in Thailand, India, China where my friends just because they are white get paid thousands of dollars for smiling for photops
There are many businesses in East who don't know anything about the US but still have software products which can potentially undercut western products on prices, if you show them the way to enter western market - you too can charge a premium for this.
> One thing we don't recognize is that we might be more valualed in a country where we weren't born.
That's not quite true. Asians often think highly of Westerners for some reasons.
That's not quite true. Asians often think highly of Westerners for some reasons.
Great, send the losers to Asia.
i talked with an American guy. He said he was washing dish in America. Decided to go to Thailand to teach english, ended up marry with a rich thai girl. Turned out pretty well for him.
I found a job after a long job search. I cancelled my other job offer, spent all my savings ($2k on rent, flight, AirBnB, etc), and moved across the country to work here in a sort of suburban city with no way to get around. I was planning on saving up money and building up my life here.
After 2 months, I was laid off. I have no car, no insurance, practically no money, etc. It costs $50 round trip just to Uber into downtown, so I end up holed in my apartment. Not to mention the cost to go to meetups and on-site interviews (yeah, no one has once offered to pay). I've been searching for about 4 months. I've made it to several on-sites, but never got an offer and don't know exactly what I'm doing wrong. Like one company would say I passed, then ghost me after the on-site, or they said I did good then decided to go with an internal candidate.
I signed a year long lease. It will cost $7k to break. If I somehow get a job offer from another state, what kind of company will even help with that? Like I said, I have trouble even getting companies to pay for interviews.
Regarding my health. I'm totally depressed and have developed heart problems. It's impossible to function doing anything. I also tried my best when I was working, and would even try to code all night and on weekends. Now I have to see all my energy go to waste and have to restart from step 1 again.
What would you do if you were in my shoes?