Good Friday Wishes to my Unemployed Peers in Tech

Easter is the most important “Holiday” (aka: commemoration) in the Christian faith because it celebrates winning against the most impossible odds in the human condition, namely Death.??

Today is Good Friday, but frankly, every Friday is pretty good if you ask me, as are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Any day spent vertically is a good day to me.?

This is a perspective that’s hard to maintain in the context of what many of us - the 2022/2023 laid off masses - have been struggling with for many months now. As I look at my own situation, I realize that so many of my peers have it a hell of a lot harder than I do.

For many, it’s their first downturn rodeo. They don’t even yet know what hit them. For others, it’s never taken this long to find new employment. They don’t have a Plan B. So many are in dire straits with mortgages they can’t pay, kids they can’t properly support any more, and monthly choices between covering medical bills or eating twice a day. And the weeks quickly tick away one by one.?

This isn’t a dramatization. It’s a realistic assessment of what’s going on in the tech world these days for too many of our peers across the industry. Who would have predicted this in late 2021? Many, but not all, of those lucky enough to still be employed are far from naive and know their time could be coming as well any day now. Because it is one way or another.

On this Good Friday I’d love to suggest a couple of things:

For those of you still gainfully employed:

Instead of pontificating, preaching, bragging, or castigating on LinkedIn, reach out privately to your peers and ask how you can help. Don’t signal support publicly - no one cares - but do it one on one in private. I am humbly grateful to all the folks in my network who have supported me with concrete actions in the last months. Those are the folks you know you can count on when the shit hits the fan. Be one of those. Be a mensch. We need more of you. Take care of your peers in the industry. It is, in the grand scheme of things, a fairly small family and we must stick together.

For those of you on the outs:

Do not despair! I know this mere platitude doesn’t pay the bills but quite frankly, life is more important than just a job and title. What goes around comes around. Nothing is worth your sanity or integrity. Despair is an easy way out and it’s not honorable. Despair is not a strategy.

Rejoice in hardship. For if you have no hardship, how can you appreciate the past or taste the success of upcoming victory? Hardship builds antifragility. You will get over this and when you do, those scars will make you stronger. And you’ll look better for it! No one ever married, hired, or trusted anyone without scars unless they were naive.

Don’t swear an oath to tech. Is tech really the only industry you can thrive in? What else might you do that can make you happy and still pay the bills? Is tech your daddy forever? Expand your sights. Think outside the proverbial box. If I had a kid these days, I’d want him or her to go to plumbing or electrician school before mastering ChatGPT prompt gaming. One never knows…

Never ever stop gunning. Every job posting, every opportunity, every call, every email, every text, every meeting, every lead you must pursue to the fullest. No exception! I know how hard that is as months go by and you lose faith but you must absolutely and relentlessly attack each and everyone of these like a Navy SEAL would - because it’s the exact same type of battle you’re facing.?

Leave the pride behind. No one owes you anything. Your past doesn’t define (or justify) your future. Your only goal should be to find a (legal) business you can add value to. There’s no room for pride in this battle. Lower salary, lower title, lower “prestige”? Who gives a crap. Define “lower”. Bring value, bring trust and bring experience to the table. No one gives a crap about your “pride” and your only pride should be consistent integrity and delivery.

There is no shame in this, but it’s a natural reaction, often debilitating. The only shame is in not fighting or giving up. Sometimes it’s very hard to reach out to friends and family in these situations because you feel ashamed or just think it’s a “temporary” situation, and everyone’s busy, or - not uncommonly -? friends and family are already going through this shit so you don’t want to burden them. That’s a big mistake. There is no shame in seeking support and quite frankly, what do you have to lose?

I wanted to write this for all those in a world of hurt out there in the tech hecatomb. For all those who may not see a path out, all those who may feel despair, those who may not have the loving support of friends or family, and those who may not see the road forward. I promise you that this is indeed a Good Friday and better times are coming. But it’s all up to us!

Need an ear, a shoulder, or a hug? Hit me up.?