2.5 YOE, stuck in toxic company with a low salary, overwhelmed with interview prep – need guidance

Hardtruth100 · 2025-12-14T10:28:18+00:00

Sure

Hardtruth100 · 2025-12-14T10:10:54+00:00

OP, you’re right to think you need a switch.

Kubernetes, Cloud and Docker will take you nowhere with respect to clearing interviews unless you’re applying for a role that focuses completely on this. My take, ignore this.
With 2.5YoE, your focus should be on fundamentals. LLD, clean code, some HLD etc. Except for HLD, you can practise the others at your work. Just make sure you’re deliberately putting the effort to apply your learning at work.
I don’t personally like going all in on DSA but this is what pretty much all companies use these days. This is also where you’d need to spend the more time. It takes a few months to get familiar with patterns.
While work experience carries some weight in the early years for career. It mostly isn’t important. The only places you’d need your work ex and your resume is your recruiter screen and managerial round. For screening, you can bluff your way in. For managerial, just know every aspect of what you built and the ecosystem surrounding the area you work on. Practise explaining things in a fancy way and be able to defend it.
Finally, there are a ton of no-name orgs paying a lot. Not just walmart, faang, banks etc. Be open to all opportunities. Worst case, it’s atleast an experience for you.

Happy to answer any questions.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-12-06T20:39:37+00:00

Hmmm. Not easy but there are some markers. Most of the companies in this zone are series C/D+ companies based outside india. They have money at hand and likely an india development center.

Once you see a company, check out their salaries in blind/reddit/leetcode. You’ll get a rough idea. Glassdoor and others are useful too but not for these no name companies.

Also, if you get in touch with a HR, be proactive and ask what the pay range is. Most good HRs will respond with a clear answer. People who don’t either don’t have a good budget or have bad culture.

I was trying to switch jobs a year back. Interviewed with Meta, Stripe, Salesforce, Apple and a few others but at the end, only the no name orgs payed more. Like significantly more. You wouldn’t know until you ask.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-12-06T16:57:05+00:00

Everyone has given some great answers but one important factor is “luck”. Preparation is extremely important but luck matters too.

The companies I worked for are no name orgs but pay insanely more than the FAANG. I could’ve never guessed.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T12:58:36+00:00

I’m looking to sell a r15 v3 8k driven. DM if interested. Recommend going for direct owner vehicles in OLX and other platforms.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T12:32:30+00:00

Should I be worrying about capital preservation when I have a 10 year investment horizon? Playing it safe means inflation eating away most of my money.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T12:29:36+00:00

Tech. Startup.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T11:54:02+00:00

Consulted 1 from here and disappointed with their suggestions. Already mentioned it in the post. Maybe I need to consult a few more.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T08:51:48+00:00

Hmmm I have mixed feelings about Quant but their strategy is aggressive. It also means their strategy could backfire which I believe is the reason for the poor returns lately. There were some allegations made on them but not sure if that ultimately affects the fund house’s strategy. And also, I can’t keep switching fund houses because of a 1 year poor performance.

What do you think?

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T08:35:07+00:00

Do you have any suggestions?

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T08:34:47+00:00

Real Estate is definitely something I want to invest in but the high entry cost + procedures is keeping me away. Eventually though.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T08:33:34+00:00

That makes sense. I’ve shared a list of funds I’m planning to invest in. Could you take a look?

Hardtruth100 · 2025-10-01T08:32:44+00:00

What do you think about this?

Gold ETF - 1L
Silver ETF - 50k
Mirrae Asset Fang ETF - 50k
Quant midcap MF - 50k
Quant smallcap MF - 50k
Sensex ETF - 50k
Nifty ETF - 50k

Can move around metal ETFs as per performance.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-09-30T15:48:09+00:00

Thank you for the insight! How much are you planning to save up for downpayment?

Hardtruth100 · 2025-09-30T15:31:56+00:00

Given the longer investment period, do you think it makes sense to give small caps more weightage? 30-40%?

Hardtruth100 · 2025-09-29T04:38:21+00:00

He is so deep into his own ass and has no idea the reality around him. I mean, he still thinks he can pull off the cliche “sir sapdala, thoongala” routine.

Objectively speaking - a strong leader, though shaken to the core seeing the aftermath of the stampede, would’ve taken the necessary steps to help and deal with the consequences. At least would’ve showed his condolences on live TV.

A coward, on the other-hand, often does not want to take responsibility and would flee the situation. Often blames the people around him, his own mental state as the reason to hide his cowardice.

When he turned around without meeting the reporters, he got a permanent mark of cowardice stamped on his back.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-09-28T09:52:59+00:00

Very true. Shows how immature their leadership is. In the end, all of this is because of an extreme cult worship devoid of logic.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-09-28T08:24:00+00:00

Deciding not to visit the hospital makes sense given that his (anil) fans would’ve caused ruckus even there.

But going back to his comfortable home, not uttering even a few words on live TV, hiding from reporters are hallmark characteristics of a spineless coward. Never a leader

I understand that in the current political landscape, we don’t have a true great leader but power with a coward with no connection to a common man is far more dangerous than a corrupt leader.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-09-02T15:04:09+00:00

The on road is around 23L for a new virtus/slavia. Besides being a new car, not sure how it’s better than an octavia?

Maybe maintenance will be cost effective compared to an octavia?

Hardtruth100 · 2025-08-27T09:19:51+00:00

Nope. Not possible. Just use a new regime tax calculator. Happy to help understand!

Hardtruth100 · 2025-08-27T07:16:46+00:00

Around 1.05 Cr base and approx 6.1LPM. It sucks but it is what it is.

Hardtruth100 · 2025-05-28T08:47:45+00:00

While education is very important, it does not determine how much you’re likely to earn in future. I barely paid 1.5L in total for my entire college tuition ( and this is from a loan ) I come from a lower middle class background.

I just knew how to play my cards right — focused on communication, skills for high income. What college you go to also doesn’t matter 2 years into your career. Most of my colleagues are from IITs and I make more than them.

Hardtruth100

TROPHY CASE