muzuq

Edit: Had no slow-downs or hang ups on any of the mentioned sites (including the whatsapp linked below)

Edit: Will also add, for entry-level success in the corporate world, learn to do what your told, without hesitance or question.

1) Are you assuming all price increases are due to being "aggressive"?

2) What industries are you talking? Purely tech?

3) What groups / age range / etc. are you assuming that employees are less aggressive in terms of income?

4) Do you consider income only monetary? What about reduced hours, increased vacation time, more flexibility, etc? How do these fall on the spectrum?

I would say this question in its current state is impossible to answer, too vague.

Always a solid cop-out for allowing bad things to continue

A lot of your post reminds me of the common traits of Imposter Syndrome [1]. Even if you are actually below the norm, you may be exaggerating the gap through Imposter Syndrome.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome

1) Where do you find your view of the phone interview going from optimistic to feeling it's gone awry?

2) Are the positions you are applying for well within your skillset, related to last positions? Are they a level above or below your past experience? Lateral?

3) How much research do you put into your interviews?

4) Do you have a set of questions prepared for the interviewer? I have found (both interviewing, and being interviewed) that a single unique and well thought question can be a game changer in the interview process and can lead to better conversation with the interviewer.

5) Do you practice interviews / questions with yourself or a friend?

I also would suggest really putting yourself in the interviewers shoes, for each position. What do you think they are looking for? If you were interviewing, how would you want certain questions answered?

Oops.

DiskCryptor does the job for me. Easy to use, open source.

Thread on Coping with Loneliness that I asked awhile ago, has some very valuable and applicable answers. I'm sorry I cant be of more help.

But, to play devils advocate... Having worked in a high paying, crap job and moving into a job with lower pay but much more aligned with my passion I am MUCH happier

What a sad way to live, fulfilling other peoples needs in exchange for 0's, instead of trying to fulfil your needs for intellectual growth, joy, etc. while _also_ supplying an end product or service of some sort.

You realize you can enjoy what you do, love what you do even, and still exchange a product/service for money? In fact, you'll likely do better as people will sense your _passion_ about what you are selling, as opposed to seeing you chase the 0's

The rest will follow.

And I mean the social kind.

Regardless of experience, resume, whatever.. Networking is everyones number one way of getting a "foot in the door". Honestly, if I were you, any time you think you should spend polishing up your resume / brushing up on data structures whatever; you should instead spend your time getting out there and networking.

Ask people to refer you to other people. Meet people for friendly coffee, and don't even bring up that you're looking for work the first coffee. Start commenting on popular blogs, insightful articles on LinkedIn, etc.

I graduated Construction Engineering Technology, worked manual labour and moved into an estimating/quantity surveying role at a small construction firm. I was still site foreman at the time, and did just as much physical labour after graduating as I did before.

I decided physical labour was not the life for me. Got hired on at a small oil and gas engineering firm which engineers specialty products for large diameter pipeline construction. What was I doing? Reception. Answering phones. Doing dishes. Booking flights. All the administrative things which were (I thought) far and below me, the educated man.

Fast forward 6 months, I've had two promotions, two raises, and am having my IIBA membership and classes paid for. I still do some reception duties, but rarely.

I think there's a lesson to be had here. I was pretty upset moving into a role at the bottom of the pole, after being fairly "high up" in my old role (well, lots of responsibility even if the pay didn't quite reflect that). But, now I'm making more money than I was, with as much schooling as I (reasonably) want paid for. I showed up with a good attitude every day, and no matter how remedial I felt the work was, I put in 100% effort. It paid off. It's continuing to pay off.

tldr - Started as a receptionist, now am much more

"Business setting" sucks. I'm in a "family-like" work environment where I can approach anyone from CEO to Reception with ideas, feedback, or ask for feedback. It's fantastic. I wish all companies were like this. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

No matter how nicely you put it, you're going to come across as "I know more than you, I noticed this and you didnt, I can help and you cant". Especially stepping in and offering to coach, without being asked, in a department that isn't yours... I wouldn't like it if I were the other manager, I wouldnt like to see it if I was senior management.

If your environment allows for and encourages a more open structure, where you're confident you're not overstepping your bounds, yes this would be the tact to take. Considering you have to ask HN if this would be overstepping your bounds, just don't. Just stick to your stuff.

As Danso said, you could mention it to the person which the person in question reports to, and I would do so with caution and vagueness. You don't want to be seen as micromanaging someone elses department.

I'm not near Regina, but your offer means a lot to me. Seriously.

Thank you.

I usually don't feel afraid of "looking lonely" but, there have been a few times I stop myself from going and grabbing a dinner at a bar / diner or whatever because I get caught up thinking people are going to pity me for being out to dinner alone.

I really like the counter-invite idea you mentioned in your last paragraph. I've been trying to say "yes" to everything I can but sometimes I just can't make it, and I've never thought to counter-invite.

May I ask what you do on the days that it is bothering you? Do you just keep going until it doesnt bother you?

I find that I can do this, and have been doing this. It's just lately... The days I'm stuck living and feeling my loneliness outweigh the days I forget about it.

Walking/hiking seems like an easy habit to get in to with benefits abound.

In regards to dating sites, I've tried using them on/off for probably a year or two now. I've had a couple dates but they fizzle out quickly. Unfortunately, my age-group is big on the "hook-up" mentality which really doesn't appeal to me. Maybe, as you said, I need to just get back at it.

I keep saying to myself that I'd be no good and it'd be embarassing, not to mention I'm not (never have been) a "dancer" but I'm thinking this swarm intellect might have a point... And perhaps I should seriously consider signing up for a beginner dance class.

Any reason why Tango is where the nerds end up?