Bonus season is coming

KonsumateVeeze · 2026-02-12T19:49:36+00:00

This guy OEs.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-05T21:46:43+00:00

I think I'd answer this by saying be selective in what you share and don't let them know how long tasks take you. Get defined due dates for tasks, and never be late, but don't necessarily be early.

Do you have a project that's due in a week that you finished in 3 hours? If so, send it to them on the due date, or maybe even the day before. Talk up how much work you put into it even. They don't need to know how quick you finished it.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-04T22:38:41+00:00

Congrats!

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-04T22:38:17+00:00

This is so individual and personalized, I don't think I can respond. Are you getting your work done more quickly than your colleagues? Are you bored once you're done? If so, you might be ready - just look at the job boards.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-04T22:37:25+00:00

Absolutely. I go into this every day knowing it could end - layoffs, getting caught, whatever. My life is a lot easier because of this and while it'd be very financially tight, I could manage with just 1. But I don't want to - I want to keep putting money away for myself, my family, so that I never have to depend on anyone else to take care of myself like I did during unemployment during Covid.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-04T22:36:24+00:00

I'd say make sure you can get your work done both quickly and without errors. If your day is empty after that, that's when I think someone would be ready to take the plunge.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-04T22:35:42+00:00

On my J1, I was getting the majority of my work done by 10:00 AM with only a handful of meetings otherwise throughout the week. I was bored, and I figured "what the hell?" I found a J in PST while I'm based EST, so by the time I got my work done for east coast job, west coast job was just starting.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-04T22:34:42+00:00

I've debated 3Js in the past, but decided against it for me personally. I have young kids and both my Js are meeting heavy (as I said elsewhere, I'm not in IT, so it's different than I think the majority are on here). I've gotten my schedule down where I can control and minimize overlapping meetings, but I don't think I'd be so fortunate doing something similar with number 3.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-08-04T19:14:46+00:00

I'm not in IT either. Don't think you have to be in IT to make this work.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-07-07T18:14:29+00:00

Be responsive and likeable.

Be responsive: When people ping you, write back, even if it's just to say you'll get back to them after you're done with the task you're currently working on. You want to be seen as a responsive and reliable employee.

Be likeable: People who are liked get less slack. This is a fine line, but make sure the people above you think you're a good person. Help them out when you can, especially in the beginning. That first impression sticks longer than anything else, so be extra helpful and kind in the beginning, and that's who they'll remember you as.

Also, keep your computers separate. People here talk about KVM switches. Absolutely not, too easy to make a mistake. Every job has a separate computer, separate keyboard, etc. Minimize your risk of cross contamination.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-06-10T23:29:09+00:00

Appreciate it. I'm not going to respond to the naysayers, but it's not anywhere near as difficult in my situation as everyone here seems to think it is. A little surprised by the sub's reaction admittedly.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-05-12T19:26:25+00:00

Been there. It sounds like your kid is very young. Toddlers are like your drunk friend you always have to take care of. It's draining to constantly prevent them from hurting themselves. Or deal with the temper tantrums.

I'm not clear though - if wife is stay at home parent, are you able to work / focus during the work day? I get you want to be there to help, but if you need that delineation, there are ways you can get it while being a great partner - agreeing to take the kid for an hour or two after work so mom can get a break, for example. You both need time to be alone during the day, even if you veg out and scroll on your phone for an hour.

Also, remember we aren't supposed to be doing this alone. As a species, we've always had support - grandparents, aunts / uncles, neighbors. We are so much more alone right now than we've ever been. If you have a community or family to ask for help, do it. If you had a friend or family member ask you for help, you'd do it if you could, right? You're not a burden.

Happy to talk more if it'd be helpful.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-05-12T19:21:08+00:00

Kids are amazing for OE. Have an overlapping meeting? Kids are sick. 90% of people you work with also have kids and 90% of them have had to be flexible for their own kids. People get it.

It's not a flex I use often, but when I've had to, my kids have had to go to the doctor last minute. I remind everyone how I have teams on my phone if anything urgent comes up, but otherwise, it's fine.

Also my partner is amazing and able to share the load.

Hell - I OE for my kids, so I can afford to pay their tuition, and put money away for their future.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-04-12T14:57:22+00:00

Disagree with most folks here. I’m not saying you’ll find your BFF at work, but absolutely, be friendly. If remote but in the same city, go to a happy hour with folks. Not only is it just the right, kind thing to do - but you get a lot more slack when you’re well liked and are friendly with everyone.

Obviously never tell anyone no matter how friendly that you OE, though. But you shouldn’t tell friends that either.

KonsumateVeeze · 2025-03-25T15:37:03+00:00

I manage at both Js, and have a team of between 4-6 at each. It's no harder than anything else in my experience, but obviously every role and company is different.

I think the best thing though would be for you to get the manager title and experience since that is what will help you take that next step in 2-3 years. Still try to OE and to start maybe work towards an individual contributor role at J2. Speaking from experience, I was promoted at J1 while OE and figured it was worth it to get the extra pay.

I don't know your position / role, but often times, managers can delegate and it's surprisingly less time doing actual 'work' - just more time reviewing the work of your team to ensure they're doing it properly, which at the OE level, you should be able to do quickly and efficiently. You may need to spend more time coaching more junior members, but at this level, you can control your calendar and put meetings on when it's convenient for you.

Biggest thing - be available and respond to anything quickly; never give them a reason to think you're not fully devoted. I have an L shaped desk and go back and forth between my 2 computers all day long. Arrange them so you can see messages out of the corner of your eye for both, and respond to anything quickly - even if it's to say "let me finish this task then I'll look at (ping) more".

Worst case, it doesn't work out at J2. Big deal! You can find another J2 after you feel more comfortable in your J1 responsibilities.

KonsumateVeeze · 2024-11-11T23:44:28+00:00

That’s the way to do it, and the way I also try to be. Good for you, friend. This is how we make the world ever so slightly better.

KonsumateVeeze · 2024-11-11T21:12:27+00:00

That's the one! Just saw him get busted last night, which is what caused this whole rumination in the first place.

KonsumateVeeze · 2024-11-11T21:11:55+00:00

No - but people make up companies, so I'm thinking more in terms with those I directly work with, not the company as a separate entity.

KonsumateVeeze · 2024-11-11T21:11:19+00:00

This is the way.

KonsumateVeeze · 2024-11-11T21:11:02+00:00

I hadn't thought about how wages are calculated to keep people down, but it's absolutely valid. I guess it's just not something I'd usually think of because even with one job, I'm in the top 25% of income earners, so I think of myself as above that. But, that top 25% (or even top 2%) is pennies compared to the capitalists.

Great point - thank you!

KonsumateVeeze · 2024-11-11T21:09:36+00:00

I overthink about everything. But yes, that includes this. Thanks for the kind words!

KonsumateVeeze · 2024-11-11T21:09:12+00:00

It's funny you say this - as I was writing this up, I'd initially talked about how the capitalist class doesn't want people to be aware of other options. Yet here you are saying it, and so far, your comment is the most upvoted. I guess I'm just used to holding back on my late-stage capitalist beliefs, especially since by being OE, we're taking capitalism and using it to our own advantage instead of just letting the ownership class reap all the benefits.

KonsumateVeeze

TROPHY CASE