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I don't mind tech recruiters as a class. I despise the rare ones who dangle a job they do not actually have in order to get my information in their database.

I don't mind tech recruiters as a class. I despise the rare ones who dangle a job they do not actually have in order to get my information in their database. These always seem to be the same ones who gaslight and neg: e.g. "We're looking for people who know what they're doing" and such. Not sure what they accomplish with that, but conversation is over. That's comparatively rare, though. Most are just decent people, making a living connecting people who want a job with people wanting to hire. Ghosting is annoying, but I've had good luck asking them in advance not to do that. "Tell me what's going on, even if it's nothing, or bad news" However, I'm of a mind these days that full-time, salaried jobs are rarely the best option. Freelancing, bootstrapping, or founding are all usually better given today's market. Finally, be unfailingly polite and kind to recruiters, and to everyone, really, even if they don't have anything you want, unless and until they give you a specific reason not to be (eg gaslight, neg). How you treat people is a reflection of your personal character. Be on the side of good.

hiq 5y ago
> However, I'm of a mind these days that full-time, salaried jobs are rarely the best option. Freelancing, bootstrapping, or founding are all usually better given today's market. Interesting, why do you think that? What has changed? Naively I would tend to think that the quality of freelancing opportunities and that of full-time jobs are correlated, but your comment imply that they're not. What am I missing?
- rendall 5y ago
  Whether freelancing is better for you really depends on if you can charge a rate that (a) covers necessaries like insurance and pension and (b) is higher than you would receive as a full-timer, and (c) also pay a lower tax rate as a consultancy than as a full-timer. If you can do that, then you also get: every moment on the clock is compensated. Mandatory, boring meeting? Groovy team-building weekend? Stay up late to zoom clients on another continent? All paid. No reason to drag your feet, or complain about management, or worry about being passed up for a promotion. You smile, nod, and send an invoice. People tend to respect your time. Bootstrapping or founding? Everything that you do is an investment in your future. It's like buying a house rather than renting. There are exceptions, of course. > What has changed? I'm not sure anything has changed. Software is an ever-expanding demand. If you know how to write it, you can charge a premium for this skill.
mrfusion 5y ago
> However, I'm of a mind these days that full-time, salaried jobs are rarely the best option. Freelancing, bootstrapping, or founding are all usually better given today's market. Sounds interesting. Care to expand on that?
pschuegr 5y ago
It's very refreshing to see someone suggest you do a good thing because it's good and not for some transactional reason like "you may need their support someday" or "word gets around that you're a dick".
AnimalMuppet 5y ago
> Finally, be unfailingly polite and kind to recruiters, and to everyone, really, even if they don't have anything you want, unless and until they give you a specific reason not to be (eg gaslight, neg). How you treat people is a reflection of your personal character. Be on the side of good. Yes, and also because it's in your own self interest. That recruiter who has a job that you're not interested in? The next job they have may be a perfect fit. But if you're a jerk to them about this one, they aren't going to call you with the next one. Especially, never be rude to an airline gate agent. They can look you right in the eye and tell you that the flight is full. Or, in the exact same circumstances, they can say "Let me upgrade you to first class." They're probably going to go with the first option if they don't like you. Absolutely, be nice to people because it affects who you turn into, and you eventually have to live with who that is. But also be nice to others because sometimes it helps you.
- rendall 5y ago
  Meh. I mean, if it helps you to be kind, sure, think of all the ways the person could help or hinder you. The problem comes when the person can do neither, and you know it and they know it. What then? Looking back, if I had been shitty to every single recruiter, my career would not be materially very different. Slightly different perhaps, but arc essentially the same. My full-time jobs came from direct contact. Freelance through agencies. That one time I co-founded, no recruiter was involved at any point. I suggest be kind and polite because you can, as an expression of strength and power. Even if you're a stone-cold sociopath or imagine yourself to be, do it because being shitty is easy and being genuinely kind is a challenge.

hiq 5y ago

> However, I'm of a mind these days that full-time, salaried jobs are rarely the best option. Freelancing, bootstrapping, or founding are all usually better given today's market. Interesting, why do you think that? What has changed? Naively I would tend to think that the quality of freelancing opportunities and that of full-time jobs are correlated, but your comment imply that they're not. What am I missing?

rendall 5y ago
Whether freelancing is better for you really depends on if you can charge a rate that (a) covers necessaries like insurance and pension and (b) is higher than you would receive as a full-timer, and (c) also pay a lower tax rate as a consultancy than as a full-timer. If you can do that, then you also get: every moment on the clock is compensated. Mandatory, boring meeting? Groovy team-building weekend? Stay up late to zoom clients on another continent? All paid. No reason to drag your feet, or complain about management, or worry about being passed up for a promotion. You smile, nod, and send an invoice. People tend to respect your time. Bootstrapping or founding? Everything that you do is an investment in your future. It's like buying a house rather than renting. There are exceptions, of course. > What has changed? I'm not sure anything has changed. Software is an ever-expanding demand. If you know how to write it, you can charge a premium for this skill.

mrfusion 5y ago

pschuegr 5y ago

It's very refreshing to see someone suggest you do a good thing because it's good and not for some transactional reason like "you may need their support someday" or "word gets around that you're a dick".

AnimalMuppet 5y ago

> Finally, be unfailingly polite and kind to recruiters, and to everyone, really, even if they don't have anything you want, unless and until they give you a specific reason not to be (eg gaslight, neg). How you treat people is a reflection of your personal character. Be on the side of good. Yes, and also because it's in your own self interest. That recruiter who has a job that you're not interested in? The next job they have may be a perfect fit. But if you're a jerk to them about this one, they aren't going to call you with the next one. Especially, never be rude to an airline gate agent. They can look you right in the eye and tell you that the flight is full. Or, in the exact same circumstances, they can say "Let me upgrade you to first class." They're probably going to go with the first option if they don't like you. Absolutely, be nice to people because it affects who you turn into, and you eventually have to live with who that is. But also be nice to others because sometimes it helps you.

rendall 5y ago
Meh. I mean, if it helps you to be kind, sure, think of all the ways the person could help or hinder you. The problem comes when the person can do neither, and you know it and they know it. What then? Looking back, if I had been shitty to every single recruiter, my career would not be materially very different. Slightly different perhaps, but arc essentially the same. My full-time jobs came from direct contact. Freelance through agencies. That one time I co-founded, no recruiter was involved at any point. I suggest be kind and polite because you can, as an expression of strength and power. Even if you're a stone-cold sociopath or imagine yourself to be, do it because being shitty is easy and being genuinely kind is a challenge.