A letter to my future employer
Originally called: Slovakia and boring corporations
It's not fun for me anymore. I was laid off at the end of 2024 and started looking for a job I would find prospective and interesting in the beginning of January. I paused in March and instead started hustling my own way forward on various projects as there are no opportunities for me. At least I am not seeing them right now.
I am not going to talk about politics in this post although that has impact on it's own on how the job market is looking today in my country. I've been working remotely since the beginning of my professional career. This caused a spiraling effect and I built systems that make me productive while working from my home office space.
Post-COVID era
I spent 80 hours in my project hunt process in 2025 so far (circa 25 hours per month). I prioritize remote work as town where I am living does not offer jobs I would be open to doing. The thing is that remote era has ended and companies require hybrid model (at least 3 days in the office).
How does it look like? From what I've heard from people in my network, office is empty despite that working model. You go there because of company policy and not because it increases productivity of workers. Basically, you are obliged to commute despite bringing more value in case of working from home.
Why would someone do this? Of course, we have to do work in order to live so we comply. Or?
Disrupted market by AI
IT jobs are still cool but they are different today. No longer there is joy of writing that function so nicely as it's done by AI autocomplete or vibe-coders. Naturally, hiring has either freezed and CEOs are vibing themselves or there are only Senior/Architect roles available. This is the reality and we need to embrace it.
Speaking of AI, there hasn't been a better time to be a product person with cool ideas. Make a shippable prototype in 3 hours and get feedback. Iteration on steroids.
Building my way forward
I refuse to comply with insensible hybrid models as they are just stupid. Async remote work is the way and I've confirmed it for myself through living my own life experience. Setting in which I am boss of my time, where I need to make sure to be disciplined and actually do the work. Nobody has to stand above me and tell me how it is supposed to be.
Not only refusing, but also job market is not interesting here. Generic corporations rule it here so Czechia and Poland are countries where it starts for most people. I would prefer to live where I am right now which is the reason I've decided to pursue my own thing (yes, doing it again after failing 5 projects in 2 years).
Exclamation mark relocation
I've been weighing pros and cons for relocating to another country. Norway, Slovenia, Czechia or Poland? Slovakia. This is where the best work/life balance exists for me and I would prefer to keep it this way. I know that most people need to relocate to find that job that would pay the bills. But what is the cost for doing it? You don't know until you take the leap. It brings you somewhere else one cannot imagine when just thinking about it.
For me, the cost right now would be tragic. Giving up the balance and inspiration I receive from living in the mountains. This is idyll and who can do it if not an IT guy. I work thanks to the internet cables so I can do it also from Poprad. Please, don't make it an obligation and let me choose the best place and time to do my work. I am listening to myself and I can decide that the best.
Bring value. Next action. Repeat. Live Free With Tech.