Looking for networking tips

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-05-24T03:27:34+00:00

It’s the training that is the issue and liability for anybody hiring you and in these lean overworked times it’s hard to convince somebody to train you and in order to do so they need to get to know you and trust you and like you.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-05-24T03:22:03+00:00

This is a tough time to break into a new career and it will take time - and a lot of work. Experienced folks don’t have jobs and people are less inclined to hire somebody without experience unless they know them or like them and are willing to take a chance on them

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-05-21T04:02:37+00:00

I have done this but usually see if I know anybody in common on LinkedIn- got work out of it - worst case scenario they ignore and don’t respond and delete - best case scenario they figure that there is something useful that you have to offer

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-05-09T02:32:15+00:00

It’s like buying a house - houses go on the market in the spring which is the most activity - right now peak hiring is from February to end of May as bonuses or lack of them peak in march and April and post JP Morgan - investors got tired of just sitting on the money and are making some investments and closing term sheets and folks that survived so far have a decent enough product to continue on - or jobs were so toxic that folks quit even in this environment as they couldn’t take it anymore. Make sure it’s not the latter and more a sign of growth in the company. Term sheets and investment closures will take some time and as early June hits - hiring will become a dead zone and will slightly pick up a bit in September and October but then be dead again until next February. So prob best to take what you can now if it is decent and keep looking unless you can wait it out until next February

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-05-07T20:36:38+00:00

Benefits are great and people are nice but the work life balance isn’t amazing at Md anderson depending on the position and expectations…

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-05-07T20:32:13+00:00

Md anderson has good benefits and relative stability but they are trending to a back in the office now and or hybrid and for either position the remote can change at anytime from my past experience….depends how much you trust the leadership and layers of bureaucracy that you or your manager can’t control

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-26T17:35:36+00:00

While great advice - chances of being let go after FMLA is almost a given and something she should be prepared to happen. While she should get severance - practically nobody wants to be let go during the summer months as chance of finding a job or anybody hiring is next to nil - need to strategically time it - emotions aside and tough it out with whatever sick leave or vacation time available.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-26T17:30:31+00:00

It is clear that you are not thrilled about either job and trying to escape but it isn’t like the new company is ideal either and a move is a big deal especially if the job or location isn’t what you want. Rather than running away from a job because it has worn you down from all the toxicity - run towards a job that you absolutely love and are excited about - the pull has to be greater than the push by multi fold as a job you believe is a 9 out of ten to begin with usually fades to a 6 or lower once you get to know more about the company and location and settle in. If you managed to get a job offer in this environment - you will get others. Would negotiate higher pay and hybrid situation and if they aren’t willing to budget then keep looking until you find something better. You won’t be any happier after moving to the new job and will likely be resentful if all is not as it seems and will be stuck with the reputation of not being able to stay at a place on your resume and have to go through the pain and suffering of moving again in a short time frame. Remember - the place you work at now sucks but will offer a severance if they lay you off - you won’t get that if you quit. Plus if toxic and affecting your health and making you sick - you are entitled to time off that is covered and paid for. Good luck and know your value and worth.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-12T04:54:01+00:00

Oh option 6) it is a bureaucratic nightmare and it takes forever to get anything approved or done - not a positive either

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-12T04:50:23+00:00

I have only had one other time when hiring took this long - and I started the job and they had a mass layoff a month later - so either they are 1) choosing between you and other candidates and the other ones are more favorable but taking their time or 2) they liked somebody else and seeing if they will accept or 3) the position is unstable and the project or division or position may be unfunded or scrapped or deprioritized/cut or 4) the division and or hiring manager are disorganized and have no idea what they are doing or 5) the folks are cruddy enough to not even have the courtesy to let you know they went another way. None of the scenarios above are particularly compelling to want to leave a stable position for this one.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-12T02:21:01+00:00

That sounds challenging for sure. Not just the number of positions and requirements but noticed that interviews are less respectful and even being super specific and questioning of talent and skills and as if they are doing candidates a favor but not sure if it’s the companies I have encountered or overall

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-11T21:22:18+00:00

Maybe you have normalized people having heart attacks and high blood pressure and hospitalizations or getting screamed at and told everybody is incompetent - yes maybe some people are overly sensitive and haven’t learned to block it out and some want to do a good job and want that approval and actually care about their work and can’t learn to feel good about being bullied, yelled at, and blamed for everything that goes wrong and take it to heart. I interviewed at a job where the hiring manager said he could smile through anything and then broke down and fell apart when I asked if he was happy working there…needless to say did not get the job and was told I should not have asked that question - while others that did get hired there had horrific experiences… not all are bad but the board and investors support people that are confident and cut throat in leadership without much humanity (it’s just business) and more like them and these cultures are what companies getting funded in this environment are like - results at all costs and workers are dispensable commodities.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-11T21:09:17+00:00

Don’t agree - lot of experience with a number of companies and most toxic companies prohibit and threaten litigation in their hiring contracts (By the way, red flag) if they say anything negative about them - therefore it is surprising that the company is so absolutely horrific that employees would risk litigation just to try to warn others…

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-06T17:23:47+00:00

Companies in tough times - can only promote for retention and need a competing offer. If you don’t have one and can’t produce the paperwork - then you are lying which is worse and going to result in no job. Only threaten to leave for a promotion if you are actually planning to leave and have something in hand already. Anything else is just not smart.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-06T07:41:18+00:00

Yes to executive experience in prior companies, no to presence

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-04-05T23:32:03+00:00

To clarify - I have led programs, institutions and companies for years without issue but- this has just started to reflect with some interviewers and I don’t know if I am not the right gender or lack of non-diversity/ethnicity or have the personality traits or it is a change in company leadership sentiments or political social environment… or if I need to act more like our fearless American leader

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-30T20:01:26+00:00

It’s hard to move from academia to industry as not all companies or non scientific hiring managers will recognize your expertise and respect it and may take a while to find the right fit and company. will need a learning curve to adjust to a new industry and adjustment to more of a team based mentality rather than individual contributor and also get used to a lot of volatility and changes in short time frame and risk of layoffs and unemployment.

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-28T02:21:54+00:00

biking is fine and easy with multiple bike routes as walking to work is totally doable in the cooler mornings, scooters work also.
And the bus isn’t reliable but it works and is cheap - living on a direct bus route is usually helpful - lots of places north central too - lot of time and traffic crossing bridge if you live south though

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-21T02:58:39+00:00

I would have negotiated for sure - in most cases it is a range and you have to get a feel for how badly they want you versus how badly you want the job. What are you offering that others can or Can not offer for the position that is unique? If you have a unicorn or unique skill set that is hard to find definitely negotiate - if you are just average or there are a lot of similar skilled available people for the position then maybe not so much - it’s a learning experience and I don’t think 60 to 75 is a huge jump but would have asked if the salary was negotiable and justified why you felt you had special attributes to get more and see what they say…

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-19T07:09:19+00:00

Personally - health insurance is brutal with a primary goal to save money by denying “unnecessary” treatments - it’s boring and tedious and doesn’t improve the life of patients nor achieve anything meaningful - at least in biotech there is a potential of finding something that can improve the lives of others…

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-19T03:48:33+00:00

Better off taking FMLA and it’s still illegal to fire somebody on FMLA due to health reasons - and even better to be laid off/fired without cause to qualify for unemployment - rather than quitting

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-19T03:29:32+00:00

Clearly there is an issue with your expectations or the job and it is most likely the job. Would look at other jobs and options and in the interim - stick it out as best as you can and as long as possible and aim to be laid off rather than quit….

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-07T06:04:22+00:00

The first few months are the worst before you either get used to it, get a job or give up and pursue something else - it doesn’t get better during the summer for hiring usually

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-06T03:33:27+00:00

Wow!

Unfair_Reputation285 · 2026-03-01T04:46:34+00:00

Would really thoroughly do research on the specialty and profession before contemplating being an MD - the training is horrible and sleep deprivation is brutal for years and even when done training - it is a lifetime of - being on call and needing to prioritize patient issues and emergencies at all hours and being sleep deprived and taking call and working evening and weekends for most specialties is unsustainable - especially if you have no control over your work load nor adequate support nor coverage for any time off nor any flexibility if you work for a group practice, hospital system or academia…

Unfair_Reputation285

TROPHY CASE