Ask HN: Advice for someone who stagnated in their career. Help
Hi HN. 50 year old here. I had a mixed career in corporate roles (product dev, bus dev - first 10 years of working), then a startup (did ok, but more learning than earning), and now have been teaching in a university for 10 years. Along the way I built a niche out of running startup programs for other institutions.
I enjoy the work. It's fun and people definitely enjoy and tell me they benefit from what I do.
But it's not enough financially. The university doesn't pay much and I am just breaking even each year and dependent on consulting income to pay for growing family expenses. Every time I get brought in to a new consulting project I knock it out of the park. But those projects are one-offs and seem to be dwindling. Side projects I spin up come to low thousands a year and while I enjoy them, don't do anything to take the financial pressure off. When I was 25 I used to pride myself on being able to live on a shoestring out of a backpack, but it's a different story with a wife and kids.
I don't project confidence (something I probably am resistant to) but once I land somewhere I usually become a go-to person that gets things done and makes a team productive. But I haven't been able to get in the door anywhere new (corporate, consulting, or funded startup) and I can't figure out why. At this point I don't know who wants to hire someone like me.
Anyone dealt with something like this? What did you do? Or what worked and didn't work?
I appreciate any advice.
> But I haven't been able to get in the door anywhere new (corporate, consulting, or funded startup) and I can't figure out why. At this point I don't know who wants to hire someone like me.
ok, step one, do some free peer interviews then pay for mock interviews. I don't know how common they are for product roles, but you can check interviewing.io or look for people who sell mentoring services on linkedin, etc.
You need brutal, honest feedback on all your failings so you can address them. Again, do not use an old coworker or friend or acquaintance, you need someone who doesn't give a shit if they tear you down.
I paid for a mock interview from a FAANG engineer and I basically said "bring it" and he told me he would fail me and gave me every reason (didn't explain things clear enough, bad communication, missed a step in coding despite knowing what I was doing etc).
It was eye opening and hugely impactful for my career.
Did you only pay for it one time or a few times?
I actually did four paid mock interviews, but only one did I specify Google. The first three told me I was awesome. For the last one (google interviewer) I specifically asked them to be extra critical, and they wrote a huge amount of valuable feedback.
I’m 50 also (as my user name implies). I’m trying to figure out what your expertise is. I also work in strategic cloud consulting. I work full time for a consulting company - my third one in 5 years.
What type of consulting do you do? The other person I was able to at least give some actual advice to with a similar issue put their LinkedIn profile on thier post.