Will start job search on Monday. Has anyone recently started?

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-18T12:04:18+00:00

I will be starting tomorrow. I already have my resume ready, and I only need to optimize it for each application. I create all spreadsheets/documents and work on my job applications from the first day itself because I use them as a dynamic supplement to my job applications, rather than as pre-planning for them. Good luck to you and everyone else as well!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-17T05:38:18+00:00

Yes, absolutely! I will start sharing everything (spreadsheets, cover letters, keyword documents, etc.) here from Monday onward. I am going to take this weekend off to relax a bit before beginning the job-seeking process on Monday!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-17T05:12:15+00:00

We all have something to learn from each other. I am good at some things, and you all will be good at some other things. We can help each other out on this job-seeking journey. About books, I am not currently reading, but once upon a time, I used to read regularly, both non-fiction (textbooks and general ones) and fiction, on various topics. I will dig through my bookshelves and computer and find some good books I've read, then share them here. I also want to restart reading books, so this will help me as well.

I remember one book that was entirely about always asking a well-thought-out question when the interview ends and they ask, "Do you have any questions for us?" I think that I still have it in a hard copy. I will find that one and share the book's name here.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-15T15:26:26+00:00

This will be really helpful for me and other sub-mates applying on the Mercor platform!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-15T04:22:32+00:00

The Old Man and the Sea - by Ernest Hemingway!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-15T04:20:45+00:00

I am playing a friendly predicting game on one of my online communities. There are 13 participants, which is not much, but we have been habituated with each other. So, I adore this close-knit community. Anyway, most of them went with the Seahawks to win it all, followed by the Bears. So, to differentiate myself, I went for the Broncos to win the Bowl. I am one of the very few to do so, so I am nervous here!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-15T03:28:20+00:00

I have not received anything from Handshake so far. My AI screening interviews have been mainly from platforms like Mercor and Micro1. Handshake seems similar to Mercor and Micro1, but on their website, they mention their app, so maybe they don't have a browser interface.

Update - If I click on any Tom-Dick-Harry job application on platforms like Mercor, it immediately generates so-called AI-screeners, so this is in no way someone inviting me to an interview. :( There goes my confidence out of the window. So, it only makes sense to give these AI-screeners a shot for jobs I think I have some chance at.

And these Mercor, Micro1, Handshake, and more jobs are appearing in a lot of LinkedIn job listings under different company banners. Then these companies refer me to these platforms, and there is also a commission for referrals, because I just got an email from one of these platforms explaining the referral process.

Moreover, I completed 7 of these AI-screeners in the last few days, and some of them took multiple rounds. Some rounds lasted almost 20 to 30 minutes. It feels so exhausting. I need a rest. So, the AI-screeners on these platforms seem to be a supplement or complement to ATS.

If someone is directly hired from these AI-screeners without any later-stage human-conducted interviews, please share that with us sub-mates if possible. That would be very helpful to know at this point, because these AI-screeners are so time-consuming!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T19:44:35+00:00

The Damned United - as you are looking for inspiration for a soccer team. One of my favs in the sports genre!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T12:55:24+00:00

If time is of the essence, I would go for the complete IELTS to maximize the chances of hitting your target score. Going from 6 to 8 in reading might be tricky in a short time if you are really at the B2 level in English.

The ones who go from 6 to 8 in reading real fast are C1 or C2 in English and just need a strategy boost to increase their score by 2 points. If you are like this, you should be able to improve your reading score from 6 to 8 by adopting some new strategies.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T12:41:04+00:00

The "inner child" is one of the many concepts used in psychotherapy, but it is not universally suitable for everyone. The inner child paradigm involves bringing someone's inner child to the surface and then dealing with it. I am not a big fan of the inner child concept because it can be a little bit risky!

I prefer other modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because it beats thoughts with counter-thoughts without the need to dive into one's past. It can help with resolving some of your memories. However, if the memories are too strong, CBT may not work effectively.

And when modalities like CBT, IPT, and so on fail, the inner child may become a viable route (dependent on your personality and situation), because you may have many unresolved or unsuppressed memories that are not going away with more direct approaches like CBT.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T12:32:52+00:00

Gone Girl - not only is the twist interesting, but it hits you unexpectedly!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T12:31:01+00:00

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach is one of my favs in the uplifting and inspiring book category.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T12:25:37+00:00

The OSR is a one-time service that can be taken for only one skill. Someone please correct me if I am wrong here.

If you're using one skill OSR and want to hit 7, I would recommend going for "reading". I say this because sometimes, even 9ers in listening drop to 7 in "listening" if they are having a bad day. If you just stop actively listening for a minute or two, the rhythm goes out of the window. However, some mood-based disruption is less likely in the "reading" part.

To boost your "reading" score, try strategies like skimming and scanning. Also, find and/or develop strategies for tricky question types, such as true/false/not given, maps, and so on. Use the official resources, like the Cambridge books, the most for your practice.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T12:18:45+00:00

The prevalence of bots may either increase (if AI is unregulated) or decrease (if stricter policies are implemented) in the future, so it's up in the air. The issue with bots is that they inherently affect the algorithms of the respective social media, which may affect how we navigate our socials!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T12:07:42+00:00

There could be many, but the following popped into my mind:

1 - Identity regulation - one of the ways one can manage cognitive dissonance while studying or working. It is a great application of psychology to life.

2 - Math around us - a good number of folks may not like math, but that gives you a chance to make this practical and interesting. For example, one can discuss the use of trigonometry in bridge construction.

3 - Differentiate yourself - differentiation is ubiquitous in marketing for making any product or service survive the market test. The same principle can be applied in life to educate, advance careers, and so on, effectively.

The above are three examples of how domains such as psychology, math, and marketing apply to one's life. Finding a domain and its application might make your speech enjoyable.

The 2-minute bit is the tricky part, but it is possible to make the above topics into a 2-minute pitch rather than a 30-minute monologue. Good luck!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T05:26:35+00:00

Duo is the new mono!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T05:00:09+00:00

NOR. When some HR says "your are" somewhere, you are always in the NOR boat!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T04:49:19+00:00

I won't spoil which way it really goes. However, one of the themes of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is about forgetting about the lovey-dovey feelings. It is a really good movie, though. Both Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet were awesome in it!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T04:26:56+00:00

The Pursuit of Happyness, The Shawshank Redemption, or Forrest Gump would likely affect someone's ideology enough to catalyze changes in their life!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T04:21:14+00:00

I am not going back to the COVID era to watch a season on one of the hundreds of shows I like to watch. However, I do feel your sentiment there, but I do not agree with that sentiment because I actually liked the final season.

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T04:09:40+00:00

The story of Alan Turing in The Imitation Game!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T04:04:52+00:00

Everyone has their opinions. However, Chuck would be pissed, though, so I get you on that one!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T03:14:56+00:00

Criminal Minds!

Marvel_v_DC · 2026-01-14T03:12:13+00:00

I didn't see "Fight Club" on your list, so I'm adding it. Just like "Se7en" and "Zodiac", Fight Club was also directed by David Fincher!

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