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Ask HN: How to improve your BATNA whilst unemployed?
Hi, I'm a NEET with several years of software development experience. I usually do not have another job lined up when I lose my current one, so I've been taking one mediocre job offer after another to make ends meet.
While I'm seeking work, I want to know what I can do in the meantime to improve my BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement) when I am not in a strong bargaining position to get a good job offer. Outside of the usual errands, improving my resume and sending out job applications, I spend my spare time self-studying to keep my programming skills fresh.
- dozzie 9y ago> I usually do not have another job lined up when I lose my current one, so I've been taking one mediocre job offer after another to make ends meet. This is your problem: to make ends meet. You're a programmer by profession, your salary should be enough to have significant savings.
- ccajas 9y agoI'm not a typical programmer, though. My savings are used up whenever I am unemployed, and I've probably spent 1/3 of my post-college time unemployed. I want to know how to increase my bargaining power while I'm in this situation of making ends meet.
- blakdawg 9y agoWhat if you didn’t wait until you’re unemployed to start thinking about the next opportunity? What about contributing to a community, with open source code or a tutorial or a conference presentation?
- djellybeans 9y agoRegarding your last statement- while doing these things help, the lack of doing these things isn't necessarily the cause of the problem. I know that plenty of programmers have never contributed to open source, nor written a single line of code outside of work, and they still have no problem finding or maintaining jobs.
- cimmanom 9y agoIs there a theme to the reasons you've been let go? That may also relate to how long it takes to find a new job and to your negotiating position when you do. You may have a weakness other than programming skills that needs shoring up.