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HN loves remote working - so think of this as 'contrarian' to test out the limits: >They’ve successfully worked remotely before, or they’ve run their own bus

HN loves remote working - so think of this as 'contrarian' to test out the limits: >They’ve successfully worked remotely before, or they’ve run their own business (do they have what it takes to motivate themselves to work solo?) I believe this is a true. I've seen some people excel at distributed work, and some absolutely suck. It takes maturity, it's very suited to some roles and some people. But, as it's suited to experienced employees it limits the opportunity for inexperienced ones. Consequently, diversity is limited and it's not good for growing new professionals. This leaves teams over-balanced with senior people and creates a problem for developing people, particularly when an organisation is larger than a handful of hackers. It can be done, but it's tougher than the buzz suggests and there are real trade-offs!

user5994461 10y ago
That's consistent with my view. I'm flabbergasted by how difficult it is to train a new employee that is remote. It's not even worth trying.
- pzh 10y ago
  Yet most of the remote jobs pay very little compared to non-remote jobs in the US, or either try to cheat you on benefits, or hours, or require you to relocate after a few months. I've tried to find a decent remote job for about 8 months and the whole search has completely turned me off the idea. I used to believe that remote would be the future, but it seems like remote jobs are what mediocre startups with insufficient funding try to use as an excuse to underpay you. I've pretty much seen it all: jobs that are listed as remote, but when you interview, the first question is "When can you relocate?"; jobs that pay $60,000 per year (without taxes or benefits) for a Software Architect role; and the last straw--jobs offering a decent rate but saying they can only pay you for 25 hours a week (hmm, how does a Sw Eng switch their mind off at the 5th hour every day as opposed to at the 8th?) Of course, everybody requires rock stars (at least Google-level engineers, preferably with CS degrees from Stanford or MIT) and who have experience with remote work, and can manage teams, overcommunicate, are a culture fit, and most importantly are willing to work for $60,000 a year with no benefits and no vacation. Remote has a long way to go.
  - gkafkg8y8 10y ago
    > rock star Yeah, when I hear this, ninja, jedi, or anything like that, I've learned to stay away. They say that because they want to convince you that if you work with them you'll become something great. Instead, they have a crappy situation and you will be the king/queen of crap.

user5994461 10y ago

That's consistent with my view. I'm flabbergasted by how difficult it is to train a new employee that is remote. It's not even worth trying.

pzh 10y ago
Yet most of the remote jobs pay very little compared to non-remote jobs in the US, or either try to cheat you on benefits, or hours, or require you to relocate after a few months. I've tried to find a decent remote job for about 8 months and the whole search has completely turned me off the idea. I used to believe that remote would be the future, but it seems like remote jobs are what mediocre startups with insufficient funding try to use as an excuse to underpay you. I've pretty much seen it all: jobs that are listed as remote, but when you interview, the first question is "When can you relocate?"; jobs that pay $60,000 per year (without taxes or benefits) for a Software Architect role; and the last straw--jobs offering a decent rate but saying they can only pay you for 25 hours a week (hmm, how does a Sw Eng switch their mind off at the 5th hour every day as opposed to at the 8th?) Of course, everybody requires rock stars (at least Google-level engineers, preferably with CS degrees from Stanford or MIT) and who have experience with remote work, and can manage teams, overcommunicate, are a culture fit, and most importantly are willing to work for $60,000 a year with no benefits and no vacation. Remote has a long way to go.
- gkafkg8y8 10y ago
  > rock star Yeah, when I hear this, ninja, jedi, or anything like that, I've learned to stay away. They say that because they want to convince you that if you work with them you'll become something great. Instead, they have a crappy situation and you will be the king/queen of crap.