There are two groups in tech: Group 1 - employed consistently through tech recession & pandemic. Group 2 - unemployed, applying to the same reposted 50 jobs before settling for 30-50% less than OG rates. Group 1 underestimates how bad it is until they have to join Group 2.

What especially bothers me is the stigma. There are a lot of brilliant people without work right now, and being employed doesn’t make you better/worse than them nor an expert at finding employment. Sometimes it’s just luck and circumstances—good or bad.

I’m seeing too many people without shared experiences try to help with good intent…but there is a fundamental lack of understanding when you think the person you’re helping is ill-equipped or lacking in some way. Unemployed people aren’t less talented, they’re just unemployed.

I am sadly totally aware of how bad it is for people looking for work right now. Found a new job during the pandemic when my daughter was 6mo. Not my first choice but finding smtg was more important… and also just a matter of luck