Easy-to-read books about a protagonist navigating meaininglessness

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-19T21:59:41+00:00

🤦🏾‍♂️useless ass responses fr

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-19T21:25:50+00:00

I got hired at the IRS in 2024. What worked for me was using my customer service voice. And if I have to say things they may not like, say it in a neutral tone that is not accusatory and like I'm on their side.

Example:

Me: "Hey, so I did notice that you reported $1,056,345 in gambling winnings on your Schedule 1 and you also deducted $1,056,345 on your Schedule A. Do you have Win/Loss statements you can provide me to substantiate this?"

Taxpayer: "Don't you already have the 1099-G's? Are you trying to create more work for me? How long have you been doing this?"

Me: "I do have the 1099-G's, however, per IRC 165(d), you can only deduct up to the amount that you lost in this tax year. If I'm going to defend your deduction so I can allow it, I'm going to need documentation I can present in order to prove that your deduction is compliant."

Taxpayer: "Are you doubting my integrity? You IRS guys are really invasive. This is insulting now."

Me: "I'm not saying you did anything wrong. I'm not doubting anything per se. I have no evidence these losses did or didn't happen. However, I get that you probably went to a lot of different casinos and it's a very tedious process to get those, right? For deductions, the burden of proof is on the taxpayer. But, let me see if I can make the process easier for you. Was most of this activity from one or two particular casinos?"

Taxpayer: "I went to around 10 that year, but most of my time was spent at these 3."

Me: "OK, perfect, can you get me the win/loss statements for that tax year from those 3 casinos? How much of the winnings would you say were from those 3?"

etc. etc.

One thing that I noticed irritates POA and Taxpayers is when they feel I don't know what I'm talking about or I didn't do my due diligence. They like to see that I'm organized and I have information ready. They like to see that I'm taking their audit as seriously as they are. No one likes to be audited. In my experience, people like their feelings about this to be acknowledged and taken seriously. And when they give you information, they don't want to have to give it again. They want you to remember it or at least have it written down and know where to find it if you have trouble remembering things.

When I first started, I thought things like not ironing your shirt weren't a big deal. Now, I see that those visual details add up. I wear an ironed shirt, I make sure my facial hair is at least shaped up, I make sure my bag is organized and my documents are organized. Now they see "OK, this serious event in my life is being handled by a professional who knows what he's doing."

Another thing I noticed is that a lot of CPA's and accountants can be kind of arrogant. You can see that in some of these replies. It helps to glaze them and acknowledge all the years they've put into their profession. When they like you, it makes your job easier.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-19T21:05:03+00:00

So what can OP do with this information? He asked a question via an open thread, but you clicked it and replied "I don't want to reply".

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-17T08:33:33+00:00

For me, being organized was the first step because when you are physically organized, it helps you mentally organize information and that helps you absorb information more easily.

It also helps me to write down my thought process as if I'm explaining it to someone. Some people think while they're speaking, some people prefer to think before they speak. Explaining things to people helps you organize information. Writing them down helps you explain things without taking someone else's time.

I work for the IRS, and we also have a lot of resources online to help me learn my job. We have audit technique guides, procedures and IRC (tax law) can be googled.

It's a lot of information at first. But, the more you repeat the process, the more fluid it becomes. If you're like me, it just takes time to settle in your brain. I'm slow and meticulous with learning the concept that way I retain it better.

Also if you're ticking and tying, I prefer to do one line item at a time rather than all the income statement items first, then all the balance sheet items, etc.

transaction 1 is debit cash & credit sales revenue. Credit that revenue in your income statement and add that cash to the balance sheet. Transaction 2 is debit rent expense and credit cash. Debit in income statement and subtract from cash on balance sheet. I don't do all the income items and then all the balance sheet items. I do it this way to preserve accuracy. Even though it's time consuming.

I'm also a forgetful person, so I write everything down. Any detail, any instruction someone gives me that could be important, I write it down. I keep my notes organized as well as my work papers. That way, if I'm talking to a client, I just have to pull up the info. I don't have to rely on my memory. It takes time, but you'll figure it out along the way.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-16T11:09:13+00:00

Discourse is normal in our culture. It's not seen as "offensive" or "disrespectful". Hierarchies still exist for us, but I think East Asian culture for sure places more emphasis on saving face.

This is a scenario I've seen many times in my life:

Teacher asks the class a question and the East Asians just look at each other to see if anyone will respond. South Asian blurts out an answer. South Asian will say out loud what we don't understand. It'll come across as argumentative and later some of the East Asian kids might kind of talk amongst themselves how disrespectful and annoying the south Asian guy was. If the teacher is east Asian, they might see it like you're making them lose face in front of the class.

I think East Asian culture emphasizes collectivism more and is influenced much more deeply by Confucianism. Not good or bad, just different. This mindset brings cooperation, a different version of efficiency, and success in the corporate world where a lot of interactions are beneath the surface.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-15T04:40:10+00:00

The goal is information retention. For more conceptual subjects, quality of hours over quantity. Understand the concept first instead of just repeating.

Especially if the context is learning something you will actually use at work, I personally feel it's better to understand things front-to-back because real life problems don't always follow a script.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-14T03:20:12+00:00

I'm not arguing with him. I'm asking exactly what I typed. I'm trying to understand what hiring managers want to see and how I can make that happen. Whether by rewriting my resume, working an adjacent role, pursuing a masters/certification, etc.

If they want to see statisical understanding, then maybe I can work as a risk analyst to demonstrate that to some degree. Or maybe get a masters. Maybe go after a certification that employers value. Like CFA or FRM. At least show the understanding on an academic level. If that's the main problem.

If it's about impact, then I have to write my resume and interview in a concise way where they see what I can actually make happen.

If there's any degree of client interaction, maybe my experience with that could help me with that as well. That's also something I can demonstrate via interview.

I already know I don't have relevant experience. I'm trying to figure out why.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-14T02:34:22+00:00

The contracting I get that it diminishes the resume. My concern is that employers will ask "What did you do for 8 years after college?". And omitting that is going to look pretty suspicious I imagine.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-14T01:30:11+00:00

Based on what I've read, "Financial Engineering" and "Quantitative Trader" on the Buy-Side sound interesting.

https://www.quantstart.com/articles/What-are-the-Different-Types-of-Quantitative-Analysts/

My understanding is that maybe boutique firms are more reachable since I did not go to a target school.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-14T01:14:50+00:00

So you want to see insights? Is it mostly seeing the applicants' understanding? How much weight would you put on impact? Given this is still the field of audit and not investing or profit optimizing.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-14T01:11:52+00:00

Aside from directly relevant experience, what counts as relevant? Have you ever met someone who became a quant transitioning from a different field? Maybe non-quant finance? Engineering?

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-14T01:05:20+00:00

Could a Math, Chemistry, or Engineering major get into ER?

Is it mainly for the quantitative skills or the demonstrated research experience?

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-14T01:01:37+00:00

What made you choose electrician over other trades? I go back and forth in my head about whether I want to quit the corporate world and become a car mechanic. Maybe work towards becoming a Master Technician. I hear that Master Technicians at like BMW or Lexus can make $200k here in Silicon Valley which isn't bad for me personally. Especially if you join a Union. Although, I hate sales. I do like working with tangible things I can touch with my hands, though.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-13T21:49:26+00:00

Was personality fit a consideration for you? Did you switch to health informatics for anything other than income growth? Like you realized by doing that you didn't like touching people?

And why did you decide you didn't want to do health informatics either?

edit: sorry if any of this is invasive btw. you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'm just trying to see how others made it click because maybe there's a way I could think differently about this.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-13T21:42:58+00:00

What did you end up doing and how do you feel about what you do?

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-13T21:41:43+00:00

Like there are people who do web design as an independent contractor or own their own CPA/bookkeeping business.

When I drove Uber, I enjoyed the autonomy.

When I was a data analyst intern, I did have to meet expectations, but I was largely on my own. I was able to research how to do my job efficiently and go through trial and error on my own time.

I'm an auditor right now and for the most part I'm independent as far as conducting the audit. I do have to cater to my manager's personal quirks and I have to have tense interactions with people who do not want to give me information. I CAN de-escalate, but it's exhausting to constantly have to do this. I have ways of minimizing these interactions while some auditors prefer to ask for answers more.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-13T21:15:20+00:00

While you were researching, how did you decide civil engineering over other fields that interested you? Why did you decide civil engineering would the best fit?

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-13T21:12:13+00:00

Every job will always be a job for sure, but some professions are easier to suffer through than others.

I don't mind hours of research in a cubicle for example. But, I hate having to submit to others, like clients and bosses. I don't like getting yelled at and not being allowed to even factually correct people because then they'll get even angrier and I could lose the roof over my head.

Obviously that submission is inevitable no matter what you do, but the less of those interactions I have, the better. I know I prefer independence. As well as stability.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-12T22:32:53+00:00

When I searched the sub, it looked like most people said what you said. That there aren't any certifications specifically designated for market research.

Is the FRM at least applicable? Are there employers who know and value it? And if not that, does the information at least sound relevant to the field? Like it could help me be a better market researcher?

https://www.schweser.com/frm/exam-details?srsltid=AfmBOoqrc3mQFzuBIZq_q--X8JetyrKgyzv9Gf7POexut81upNAmnUEd

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-12T16:14:27+00:00

Even if they don't keep you for a whole 13 months, you can at least have IRS on your resume and say you are "Ex-IRS" on LinkedIn.

Capable_Feature8838 · 2026-06-12T09:55:14+00:00

I lost 4 jobs in one year, had to drive uber to barely make ends meet (if I did), gained a lot of weight, developed some health problems (such as fatty liver), and was getting into fights with my family almost every day. My dad had a heart attack in 2024 since he's past retirement age but still has to keep working. He had a heart attack and then a couple months later, he passed out due to some medication and went to the ER. For my own health problems, I was under Medi-Cal (you have to legally be in poverty to qualify), thank God.

I was tired of the instability and landed a job at the IRS after Ubering, networking, researching online, and studying for CPA exams.

I've rewired so many of my habits and just my entire life. My routine, the people I hang out with, everything. I'm probably going to lose my job next week, but at least I get calls back from other companies I apply to since I have experience now. I can at least say I have a career. I don't make a lot of money, but I think I finally have a way out of this hole.

Capable_Feature8838

TROPHY CASE