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throwawaytrain

32 karma · joined April 7, 2016

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throwawaytrain··on Ask HN: Why are you still at your current job?
I went to google and searched for "US income percentiles". Various sources yield between 96% and 99% percent when I punch in my total compensation.
throwawaytrain··on Exploding offers are bullshit
Bloomberg gave me an exploding offer once. The HR drone told me over the phone that they like to close candidates quickly to make sure that they don't pursue other opportunities.

I took the job despite blaring klaxons in my head because I was desperate for income. Didn't stay long though.

throwawaytrain··on Ask HN: Why are you still at your current job?
1. It pays the bills. I make more than 97% of people in the US. I'm going to get paid a guaranteed 15% bonus at the end of this year. There ain't no way I'm getting fired from here: I know that this employer really can't afford to fire even mediocre people due to the sky-high cost of replacing them.

2. The people here are .. mediocre. I'm not learning anything. I'm not 100% sure whether anyone gives half a turd about the project I'm working on. And I have to dress like a damn fool. (Business casual sucks.)

3. I'm still here because I haven't found anything better just yet. The roof isn't on fire & this job kind of does what it's supposed to do for my family, so I can afford to take the time to find something better. I am actively doing that.

4. I'll leave once I've found an opportunity that I love. I'll know it when I see it.

throwawaytrain··on Ask HN: How do detect a crappy boss / toxic environment when interviewing?
I too have recently started a new job. I had a phone screen with the hiring manager, then met with him for a two-hour 1-on-1 interview. Some time later I was given the offer and accepted it.

I never met any of my future team members. I asked the hiring manager during the interview to introduce me to the team, but he said this wasn't going to be necessary.

Now, a few months into the job, I must say that I've never worked on any team composed of such antisocial people. Pretty much no one here communicates effectively. Cliques are demarcated along racial lines; there Chinese and Indian groups don't really talk to each other, and don't "accept new members" that don't speak their language.

This is the loneliest place I'd ever worked. What's surprising is that I never thought I could be so lonely at work of all places.

So, lesson learned: if you aren't allowed to do a meet-and-greet with the team before accepting an offer, don't even think about taking it!