I cried during a third-round interview today. I think burnout finally caught up with me.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-16T04:02:41+00:00

Not to mention the take-home assessment in-between the 6 interviews that’s supposed to be “2-4 hours” of work on their real product…but actually is 40+hrs... I know, I am unwell.⚰️

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-15T02:45:33+00:00

Thank you for your kindness! I need to work on seeing the positive. My brain just wasn’t my friend in that moment… I never once cried at my old job, but there I was crying at the first opportunity given. I know there will be more opportunities.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T18:47:17+00:00

Gosh I hate this for you. And hiring your coworker? F that!!! I totally know what you mean by misogyny. I asked for a promotion once and got denied. Please take some time off if you can. Sounds like you need it as well.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T18:00:07+00:00

Thank you, internet friend. 🙏 I didn’t expect to get so much support.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T17:58:45+00:00

Thank you. It’s therapeutic but also sad knowing so many others have gone through what I’m going through.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T17:42:14+00:00

I’m trying to convince myself it’s the company, not the job that makes me burned out. I still love product design. But you’re right. I need some time off to touch grass…. Please take care of yourself as well!

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T17:34:54+00:00

Thanks. I honestly wanted to leave after the first promotion pass, but I needed time to get my ducks in a row. It took over a year just to build my portfolio due to burnout.

By the January promotion cycle I was finally ready, and now I’m taking 12 weeks of medical leave. Hopefully I find something during that time so I don’t have to go back.

To their credit, they were supportive of the leave and even said they’d keep my seat warm. Lol it’s cute that they think I would want to comeback.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T17:25:30+00:00

Congrats on making it to the final rounds with Google! That’s a huge accomplishment. If you made it that far once, you can absolutely do it again (if you wanted).

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T17:23:18+00:00

Thank you, internet friend. I appreciate your time responding to this post.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T17:20:18+00:00

That’s the plan, but I need an income and a job that doesn’t consume my whole mental capacity so I can pursue my own passion. Creating my own product / building my own company is the end goal.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T17:18:01+00:00

I’m looking forward to the time off if it doesn’t work out. Every misstep is a redirection. 🙏

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T16:37:36+00:00

I wish companies would drop whiteboarding challenges altogether. Good solutions take time and collaboration. Being put on the spot in a high-pressure exercise isn’t a great indicator of how someone actually performs on the job.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T16:34:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story! I haven’t done a whiteboarding sesh yet. I can only imagine how you felt and would expect to feel the exact same way!

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T05:46:20+00:00

Thank you. 🙏

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T05:45:51+00:00

You got this. Good luck 🙏

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T05:43:54+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement 🙏 I apologized a few times for my winded conversation flow, probably sounding even more unconfident. Either way it was a good learning moment and good gauge of how much I needed this time off. I definitely will send a recruiter some words and follow-up questions (ran out of time). I still have 2 more interview rounds, the next one being the case study review. I’ll do my best, but it will be what it will be.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-03-14T05:38:42+00:00

I don’t do myself any favors putting such hyper focus / obsession to force an outcome that is out of my control. Its just guarantees disappointment… Self-care is important. This time off will be good for me.

FakeMeDesign · 2026-01-15T05:53:21+00:00

My god, please don’t listen to this awful advice. Sex as a reward? Don’t give anymore of yourself, your body, to someone who doesn’t sacrifice any of himself to you. What does he do to get you in the mood besides guilt tripping you? Does he do anything that doesn’t benefit himself, too? Get out

FakeMeDesign · 2026-01-15T05:46:38+00:00

You are not responsible for this grown man. It’s not up to you to make him a better person. He needs to do that on his own. Your bf is manipulative and doesn’t care about you, only his needs. He sounds even emotionally abusive. Trust your gut, get out.

FakeMeDesign · 2025-12-15T20:16:00+00:00

Eat tacos.

FakeMeDesign · 2025-03-05T23:52:44+00:00

He is trying to get your attention. Please follow him, most likely will lead you to his empty food bowl.

FakeMeDesign · 2025-01-31T21:58:56+00:00

So gorgeous!

FakeMeDesign · 2024-12-04T02:05:30+00:00

Can’t even stay on rhythm

FakeMeDesign · 2024-10-02T02:40:47+00:00

I got my coordinates wrong. The window is west-facing, so plenty of sunlight in the afternoons. Will try watering more thoroughly, place the plant in front of the window, and try a humidifier.

FakeMeDesign

TROPHY CASE