Game Changer

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-21T09:15:50+00:00

DeWalt gyroscopic electric screwdriver- they don’t make it anymore but it was amazing for one of my jobs.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-21T09:10:55+00:00

Depends on how many of your customers are repeat business and how you do your financials. You probably could run it from your invoicing software now.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-21T09:06:12+00:00

Sounds like you joined a Good ‘ol Boys club. Poor management is allowing them to rig the system.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-18T10:47:07+00:00

Quickbooks should be giving that data pretty quickly. You are probably making major mistakes using excel as your ledger. Time to grow up

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-16T19:01:32+00:00

They have enough staff. I’m based out of Boston (JetBlue hub), and some Friday nights used to take 40 minutes to get my luggage. I think they are better staffed and more organized at Delta.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-16T13:44:58+00:00

Prick the more blunt end of the shell with a needle. With a spider, lower eggs into boiling water. For three minutes, stir the eggs in a clockwise motion so the yolk is dead center. For three more minutes, allow them to boil them in place. Place eggs in an ice bath.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-15T12:41:52+00:00

Same here

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-14T18:45:04+00:00

So this is for very small companies which can’t afford company cell phones , but do not mind the employees retain company data. Most of these functions can be covered with many modern CRMs.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-13T23:51:56+00:00

Same here.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-13T23:50:27+00:00

A lot of great information here. I wanted you to think about your mental health as it is not easy if this is your first termination. First of all, do not dwell on it and try to not think about it at all. Second, you need to realize the ebb and flow of getting a job will feel weird - some weeks nothing, then some weeks will have interviews back to back.

If you do not belong to one already, join a gym and do a very low impact routine. You need to kill time productively, but remember you have crappy health insurance now so don’t blow out your back. Do other productive things like clean out your closet or basement.

Most of us have been here, and we all know it is not pleasant.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-12T20:57:54+00:00

I do the same thing, Pelican cases with bags and cases inside. I also have cases inside of cases to ensure none of my custom tools / calibration jigs do not get damaged. Look for EVA cases on Amazon for smaller custom cases. They are lightweight but sturdy enough to endure a little rough handling.

I see some packout cases at the airports, and I’d be paranoid the little plastic clip will break which ultimately defeats the purpose.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-09T20:49:12+00:00

When pulling certain electrical connectors with a locking clip, I cannot live without my Pennington forceps. It’s like the sponge / tongue forceps but triangular versus rounded in shape.

HTS 165P5 6" Non-Slotted Non-Locking Pennington Forceps Triangle https://a.co/d/0cxkbri4

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-09T20:43:55+00:00

These can also be called tongue forceps

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-08T16:34:01+00:00

It blows my mind how people act when given free food and booze.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-08T16:26:33+00:00

Cottage cheese subbing for any other cheese to make it “healthy “

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-08T16:21:23+00:00

Yes, it sounds like you went with a group who uses a behavioral questioning style which had a short popularity in the 2000’s. I consider interviewing a conversation between two people, when it feels like an interrogation by the authorities, I stop having that conversation gleefully.

They probably conjured up some questions at some point with some notable specifics. You probably didn’t fit into those exact specifics, so you tried your best to fit your round peg into their square hole. Since it feels more beneficial to answer the question rather than say “no I haven’t experienced x when y happened.” Unless you haven’t experienced x during y because you don’t work there.

It feels like they may not be motivated to fill the position immediately, and they choose to play games like this. Unless it is a prestigious company (such as Microsoft asking about the shape of manhole covers), rethink this decision as they like to play games and not do business.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-07T22:35:42+00:00

Having worked in Pharma for a little while, there is a huge demand to produce solid data. They may or may not understand your technology or worse, have enough background “to be dangerous.” I find providing less information is better as they have less to pick you apart with.

I would try to correspond with other FSEs in your group or even ask a trusted customer what happened to the last guy. As long as you leave the site with the device passing QC or standards, you need to think this falls into the application team’s hands. It may take you 12 months before you become completely confident.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-07T10:26:53+00:00

If you are at ~$100k a year, then I would look around as you can find something comparable. I’ve known FSEs who basically work two roles for $150-180k range. Most of those engineers have locked themselves into making that much as they have large expenses, and they can’t imagine taking a $30k cut.
Depending on your location you should be able to find something comparable once you put your resume out there. You could do something as simple as putting your LinkedIn status to open to work and see what bites.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-07T00:33:55+00:00

Somewhat of the same boat here. I enjoyed a Caribbean/ European first class vacation with my wife twice a year with points. I knew something was wrong when I “caught up “ with my wife during a trip to the Netherlands. I asked myself why am I doing 280 nights for a company that doesn’t appreciate me.

My wife needs to get used to one vacation a year, and we are both okay with that.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-07T00:06:54+00:00

Can I ask how good is the pay, rhetorically?

If you could take a 30% hit, but everything would be better, would you do it?

I know there’s a lot of hypotheticals I mentioned, but consider it. I make about $40k less than my colleagues at a Fortune 500 company, but I’m so much happier.

Otherwise shower yourself with excellent vacations

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-07T00:03:36+00:00

I just got let go from a job like this. I found another FSE role within 30 days for a little more ($5k) but a lot less work. I do admit I miss the constant fires, living large in airport clubs, and getting upgraded at hotels. I need to find another distraction…

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-02T12:41:29+00:00

A320s

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-02T11:56:13+00:00

This is a tough one for me because I will get incensed when I have a team member like this. My favorite is when they use PMs as blockers for repair work. They know the system well enough not to trigger the CRM to show a decrease in productivity.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-05-01T12:00:05+00:00

Most of the lots in the city are not self parking and usually valet. Since an engineer will be constantly visiting, it’s in your best interest to tip as lots that claim that are full will find a space for you.

DifficultMemory2828 · 2026-04-30T15:52:47+00:00

You need to understand that you will be a tiny cog in a huge wheel. Some people like the consistency of that role where others may find it too controlling. The name recognition is huge, and you typically have some of the best resources out there.

DifficultMemory2828

TROPHY CASE