Ask HN: Getting back into the working world with a negative track record

Re:Ask HN: Getting back into the working world with a negati... by chc on Wednesday October 19, 2011 @04:15PM (#3131858)

I'm more successful in pretty much any task when I have no deadline, five highly competent assistants and a private masseur for whenever I'm feeling stressed. But if I was only willing to work that way, I'd be living on the street. Being a professional means getting the job done even in suboptimal conditions.

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Re:Ask HN: Getting back into the working world with a negati... by throwaway789a on Friday October 21, 2011 @11:20AM (#3140134)

Yes, that's true, though I think being a professional also includes the option of saying "no" (on how you say it, that's another question).

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Re:Ask HN: Getting back into the working world with a negati... by greenyoda on Sunday October 23, 2011 @05:14PM (#3147277)

No, you can only say "no" if you're a self-employed professional like a doctor or lawyer or consultant with his own practice. Then you have the choice of whether to take on a potential client or not. However, a professional who works for someone else has to take on their employer's priorities. That's the deal you sign up for when you become an employee; that's what you give up for a regular monthly paycheck.

If you're very valuable to your employer, you might be able to get away with saying "no". But most people are not indispensable, and if you say "no" too many times, your employer will start looking for ways to replace you.

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