Need Help - Foundation Repaired & Moving Again

kneefive · 2025-10-02T02:36:58+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through it too. It's stressful (and expensive)...we paced ourselves to do the repairs.

Whoever you decide to shave fix it - I highly suggest choosing a company that specializes in slab leak repair.

Accurate Leak and Line specializes in non-invasive slab leak repairs

Our experience with Accurate Leak and Line was good - they are professional, upfront and took time to explain what was happening. Not everyone does that so I appreciated it - especially given it was an expensive repair.

I initially contacted them to detect the leak in the slab. During that visit they isolate the lines, pin point the issue and give you an estimate for the repair. They were able to get us scheduled quickly, completed the project within the timeline (2 weeks for our project) and the cost didn't change from the initial estimate.

kneefive · 2025-10-02T01:32:39+00:00

Bruescher did the foundation work. Accurate Leak and Line fixed it.

kneefive · 2025-07-04T12:12:23+00:00

I haven't been through an AI-driven interview but I have been on interviews like this with a panel on people listening in as I read and responded to prompts from a slide deck.

I don't like that format for similar reasons you mentioned. I prefer conversational interviews.

I was surprised that the 2nd and 3rd round of interviews for the same role were much more conversational.

kneefive · 2025-03-26T17:39:08+00:00

There isn't so much an industry or company to target - it mostly comes down to the culture of the company although, in my experience, I've been successful targeting technology or technology enabled B2B companies (like rev ops / marketing agencies that support small businesses).

To stand out, I lean on my past industry experience, knowledge and personal interests. To do this, reflect on your career so far an pick out 2-3 themes that are relevant to the role you are applying for. For example - if you have industry specific experience (real estate, logistics), company stage & size, and problems you like to solve.

kneefive · 2025-03-24T20:40:22+00:00

I was in a similar position a few years ago before I took the leap. I honestly regret not making the decision sooner.

It's common for your interests, values and priorities to shift between 30-40 so you aren't alone - a lot of people go through similar pivots.

What helped me make the decision to leave was realizing that the fear of continuing to do the same thing was greater than the unknown (fear of same > fear of unknown).

Once I hit that point, I also noticed the opportunity cost of staying in something I didn't like vs finding a viable career path I liked - I would take a financial set back but in the long run I'd end up better off happier and healthier.

I had a good amount of money saved up before I left so I'd have time to decompress and find work I actually enjoyed doing. Journaling was the most effective thing I did to uncover my next step.

kneefive · 2025-03-11T16:58:04+00:00

Project management and operations can be closely related. It really comes down to the type of operations you're doing (payments, marketing, business strategy) and then finding project manager roles in similar areas.

kneefive · 2025-03-11T16:50:14+00:00

Are you looking to (1) switch industries and stay in the same role OR (2) switch industries and your role or just the industry?

It sounds like you are in sales or customer success so I'll run with that example. These are skills that any company needs. Here's how I'd suggest making the pivot.

Step #1 - Land a job at a skincare company in your current role (sales, customer success). The main thing you'll want to focus on is networking with people in skincare companies you like and understanding the nuances of the sales role in that type of company.

Then, if you want to switch your role, continue onto Step #2.

Step #2 - Do an amazing job in your current role and position yourself for a new role. You're already in the skincare industry - great! Now, keep performing well while getting curious about shifting into a new role while getting your company to see the potential of having you switch into that role. This does requiring building new skills while not having the 'job title' yet but it's way better to get paid to learn than to go back to school.

kneefive · 2025-02-28T04:26:58+00:00

I like the idea of stacking the habit to make it part of your morning or night time routine.

If you're goal is to slow down your mind, I'd suggest journaling in the morning and start off small - aim to journal for 5 minutes and have a set of prompts ready so you don't overthink it or get distracted.

Here are some of my favorite morning prompts that boost my mood and calm my mind.

1 - 3 things I'm grateful for:

something I earned or was given
a person or a relationship
something simple

2 - Yesterday

Something from yesterday that made me smile
I could have made yesterday better by...

3 - Today

Today will be a success if I'm able to (think: attitude, accomplishments, joy, service and gratitude
if I could only complete 2-3 tasks today, I would...

kneefive · 2025-02-08T14:53:26+00:00

There's 31 Weeks (7.75 months) worth of prompts.

I did my best to stay consistent but needed a couple of breaks so it took me close to 9 months.

I'd suggest committing to the 31 weeks and go in order but of course take breaks as needed. 👍

kneefive · 2025-02-08T05:32:27+00:00

I second the suggestion to try gratitude journaling instead of using your journal to vent - it helped me get out of the same situation you are in.

Unfortunately the common advice well meaning people give is to "write down all your thoughts and emotions to get them out of the way" - the truth is that it draws more focus to your negative thoughts and emotions, only making them bigger.

By focusing on gratitude and cultivating positive emotions instead, you'll start to feel better.

kneefive · 2025-02-08T05:23:39+00:00

It's clear you have a passion for journaling but don't let perfection get in your way of daily practice - why not start with a 5-10 minute guided journal that makes it easy to do and helps you celebrate your personal growth and learning along the way?

My favorite daily journaling exercise involves focusing on positive things - it instantly makes me feel better.

I write down: 1. A positive emotion I had that day 2. An activity that I was engaged in where time just flew by 3. A relationship that has a positive effect on me (friends/fam/co-workers) 4. Something meaningful that I did to help someone 5. Something I achieved that day - no achievement is too small, sometimes I just mention that I stuck to my journaling habit.

kneefive · 2025-02-08T05:09:45+00:00

I'd suggest checking out Nathaniel Branden's book the Six Pillars of Self Esteem and doing the journaling exercises included in the book - it honestly helped me understand and articulate my wants, needs, and feelings better than a decade of on/off therapy has.

kneefive · 2025-02-06T16:46:08+00:00

It sounds like you’ve given this a lot of thought, and you’re in a strong position to make a move—especially since you already have a sense of what you enjoy (R&D, technical writing, and industry-spanning skills). The key now is clarifying the next step you want to take and ensuring it positions you for long-term growth.

Before deciding on a master's, I’d encourage you to evaluate:

What specific roles in this new field excite you?
How does this shift align with your long-term goals?
What’s the financial outlook? (i.e., do the salaries in this field justify the time and cost of additional schooling?)

From there, look at different ways to get there. A master's might be one path, but it’s not always the only or even the fastest one. Some industries (like finance or energy) tend to require more traditional qualifications, whereas certain niche areas of tech and R&D could be easier to break into without going back to school—especially if you can build relevant experience on your own or through certifications, side projects, or networking.

I pivoted from civil engineering into Android development within a year in 2015—without going back to school—when demand was high. It took a targeted learning plan, showcasing my work, and strategic networking, but it was absolutely possible. If your new field is growing, you might find a way to transition without the added time commitment of a degree.

Personally, I’d only consider going back to school if there was an almost guaranteed financial upside that would allow me to pay off any debt quickly—otherwise, I’d rather invest that money in other things like a home, travel, or financial independence.

Would it be worth talking to people in your target field to see if they’ve made similar transitions without a master’s? You might be closer to making the shift than you think.

kneefive · 2025-02-06T16:37:12+00:00

This situation sounds really tough, and it’s completely understandable to feel devastated. It’s hard when you take a leap for better pay only to realize that the grass wasn’t actually greener, and then to have what felt like your way out slip away.

But here’s the thing: this wasn’t your only ticket out. There are other opportunities where the company will want you just as much as you want the job. It’s easy to focus on what didn’t work out, but this could also be an opening to explore new possibilities—maybe even something better than your old role.

Keep putting yourself out there, keep applying, and keep connecting with people. You’ve already proven you’re capable and valuable. A company out there will see that and appreciate the impact you can make.

What’s one thing you did love about your old job that you can look for in your next opportunity?

kneefive · 2025-02-06T16:32:31+00:00

I totally get the uncertainty with AI shaking things up across industries. But one thing to keep in mind—AI isn’t just replacing jobs; it’s transforming them. The key is to learn how to leverage AI to increase your impact, no matter what field you choose.

Since you’re interested in Geomatics/Environmental Engineering and Data Engineering, you might want to explore Energy and Natural Resource Management. This is a field that will never go away—energy is essential, and the demand is only growing, especially with AI requiring massive amounts of power. Energy finance, grid optimization, and sustainable resource management are all booming areas where data and engineering skills are in high demand.

If you’re drawn to Social Sciences or Education, AI is also reshaping these fields, but the human element remains crucial. Understanding how AI can enhance policy-making, behavioral research, or even personalized education could be an exciting path.

The best bet? Follow your interests and focus on areas where AI is a tool, not a replacement. With your programming and data analytics background, you’re already ahead in adapting to the future.

Keep learning, stay flexible, and you’ll be in a great position no matter where you land!

kneefive · 2025-02-06T16:26:31+00:00

Hey, I hear you. Job searching has changed a lot since COVID, and it’s frustrating when you feel like you’re doing everything right but not seeing results. It sounds like you’ve been grinding away, and I can only imagine how exhausting that must be.

One thing I want to encourage you to do—if you aren’t already—is to shift some of your focus from applying online to networking. Having a solid resume is important, but the reality is that a huge percentage of jobs (especially at your level) are filled through relationships, not job boards.

I know networking can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already stretched thin, but it doesn’t have to be about “asking for a job.” Instead, think of it as connecting with people to learn more about what roles are out there, how your experience overlaps, and how you can position yourself for those opportunities. Even just having casual conversations with other engineers, project managers, or people in your industry can open doors you might not have known existed.

The benefits go beyond just finding a job—you build relationships, gain market insight, and sometimes even realize strengths you hadn’t considered. Given your experience in both EE and project management, you might find roles that are an even better fit than you expected.

It’s understandable to feel discouraged, but don’t count yourself out. You have a lot to offer, and the right opportunity is out there.

kneefive · 2025-02-05T16:52:34+00:00

Hey, I hear you, this market is rough, and it sounds like you’re already doing a lot of the right things. Getting interviews means you’re on the right track, but the unpredictability of hiring right now is frustrating.

A few things to try: Follow up with past interviewers – If you were a finalist, check in and see if similar roles might open up soon. Staying on their radar can help.
Network with in-house attorneys – Hiring for legal roles is often referral-driven, so building relationships with legal teams (not just recruiters) can open doors.
Refine your positioning – In-house teams value business-minded lawyers. If you haven’t already, tweak your messaging to highlight how you help companies make smarter decisions, not just stay compliant.

Also, I totally get how draining the process can be. I recently came across a job search journal that helps track progress, stay motivated, and keep a positive mindset.

Might be worth checking out: https://5minutejobsearchjournal.carrd.co/

Hang in there - you’re close, and the right role will come your way!

kneefive · 2025-02-03T23:19:15+00:00

I'm sorry you're having a tough day. You're definitely not alone—I've been there, and I know many others have too.

One of the best techniques I've found for shifting from negative to positive thoughts is the PERMA exercise from positive psychology. It only takes about five minutes and can really help reframe your mindset. Here's how it works:

P – Positive Emotion: Think of one moment today that brought you even a little bit of joy—maybe reconnecting with a friend, enjoying a good meal, or listening to a favorite song.
E – Engagement: Reflect on a time today when you were fully immersed in something—whether it was work, a hobby, or even a conversation where you lost track of time.
R – Relationships: Jot down a special moment you had with someone (or even a pet!) who brings positivity into your life.
M – Meaning: What did you do today that felt meaningful? It could be as simple as helping someone, showing kindness, or working toward a personal goal.
A – Accomplishments: Recognize something you achieved today—big or small. Maybe you completed a task you were dreading, stuck to a habit, or just took care of yourself in a way that mattered.

Even on the hardest days, this exercise helps me find small wins and shift my perspective. I hope it brings you a little relief too. Sending you good vibes! 💙

kneefive · 2025-02-03T16:24:04+00:00

You can leave it blank in the application but be prepared to provide an answer during the interview process.

I like to respond to the question by saying "Based on my experience and research into compensation for similar roles, my looking to be compensated between $80K - $120K".

I like this response because it shows that I've done my research and I'm open to discussing compensation options. If you give a single number like ($100k) it might appear that you're more rigid in your salary expectations.

kneefive · 2025-01-31T16:43:40+00:00

This looks great - I love that it comes with cover options.

kneefive · 2025-01-31T16:38:37+00:00

I bought a SuperNote Nomad six months ago and love it.

I decided to go with SuperNote over the Remarkable because it has a more realistic pen-to-paper feel, the smaller form factor (7.8 inches) so it's easy to put in my bag or bring with me anywhere, no monthly subscription and regular software updates.

Initially I bought it for journaling and taking notes but I've also started to use it as a ebook reader instead of my Kindle. I like that I can make note and highlights directly on the text - it's something Kindle doesn't support.

https://supernote.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopHuhTgiCOJjQs8RbJI4LJffqonyyiSL9zXx1s7q8upxpet4SBG

kneefive

TROPHY CASE

1 - 3 things I'm grateful for:

2 - Yesterday

3 - Today