You had some money, and you didn't feel "fulfilled", so you took a break for a few months? And all the comments are about how poorly designed the interview proc

You had some money, and you didn't feel "fulfilled", so you took a break for a few months? And all the comments are about how poorly designed the interview process is.. The thing I want everyone to take away is "don't gamble with your fucking income." You know what's worse than ennui? Being broke and jobless is. Going into debt because of a radical misunderstanding of job markets is worse. I'm sure you are a perfectly decent dev, OP, and I'm sorry that the system isn't very well built. I wish you weren't in such an unpleasant situation (though this was definitely a solid approach to getting a bunch of conversations started). This rant is not really directed at you - No doubt you have learned the lesson already. DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB BECAUSE YOU ARE UNHAPPY. Find another job first. I do not care if you are a Jedi ninja code tycoon, there are no sure things. Your friend does not have the pull he thinks he does. The market is not good. Your savings burns faster than matches.