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Ask HN: Got fired from one of my 2 jobs

7 points by easyalgocode ↗ HN
I know most might think I should let it go or man up of some sort but lost currently one of my two jobs as a software dev. I am only 22 and the other job is pretty well paying so I am not in a bad financial situation, this is just an ego/confidence hit to me as in it really hurts deep inside to get fired and makes me think if software dev (especially in startups) is what I should be doing? The fact of telling my SO/family about it even makes me shake, even though its really no big deal. I always have this pressure of being best at what I do.

20 comments

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bluehorseray
Most of the good software devs I know actually only have one job, so sounds like you're back to the baseline. But who knows, keep applying and maybe you can push 4/5+ jobs at once, which would obviously mean you're 4/5 times better than most software devs. Good luck.
iab
Quick q: if I have one software job, and one non-software job, am I 1.5x software-dev? 0.75x?
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baash05
I say 1.5... sounds right :D
ggm
It won't get easier to talk about by waiting. Waiting just begs the question "why did you wait to tell us"
cowvin
Your friends and family won't judge you poorly for this. Don't worry.

Early in my career I lost a job at a startup and it also shook me up. I say "lost" because I asked if I was fired or laid off and they said I could call it whatever I wanted lol.

But yeah, basically, the head of the company had an inhuman work ethic and expected the same from his employees. I got in trouble for leaving work at 10pm on a Friday. I got in trouble for coming in late on the weekend because I was doing laundry. I got in trouble for spending time with my friends on my birthday (on a Saturday).

Basically, startups can be extremely unprofessional so if you get fired by a startup, it's no big deal.

endisneigh
curious - did your other employer know you had another job?
easyalgocode
Yes and no one minds in that industry
endisneigh
i'm curious what industry/company is it?
quantified
Does that industry expect 1x output for 1y pay, or 0.5x output for 0.5y pay… fill in the x and the y, please.
kazinator
Maybe nobody says they minds, y'know.

Or even if they really don't mind: they have to let go people and it's down to three of you. Three out of two have only that job ... then there is this 22 year old with two.

randomopining
You seriously care? Why did you get fired?

Two jobs is awesome. Was it easy to get that going and did they both know?

easyalgocode
They both knew and as long as I was completing all tasks needed then it was okay. I got fired due to 'financial reasons' and wanting to have a more on-site work which I could not do.
gaws
> I got fired due to 'financial reasons' and wanting to have a more on-site work which I could not do.

"Financial reasons" is bullshit. They wanted someone at the office, and you couldn't do it. Management's decision was easy.

GianFabien
I had two jobs when I was 23 for 3+ years. One was a large company and the other at a startup. The startup flamed out. Looking back on those days, I realize that I burnt out from the over-work.

You could look at your situation as an opportunity to develop a broader range of interests other than just work. Come clean with your SO/family. Keeping it bottled up only makes it worse for yourself. Ease off the pressure on yourself.

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maxharris
You are far, far more than just your ego. There is a vast world to explore, and fear is holding you back!

I thought of sending you links to read and watch, but if you want them, you’ll have to allow your curiosity overcome your fear and reach out to me (@maxharris9) on Twitter.