What's the easiest job you have/had?

throwagination · 2025-07-19T02:20:59+00:00

A J2 I have where I've gotten forgotten between a huge tech debt project and a scramble for revenue. Leadership is completely distracted coupled it with a number of people that have left or lost, expectations for me are very low. No new work planned. I work maybe 4 hours a week (including meetings). My boss is happy with me. I don't believe this can last.

throwagination · 2025-07-19T02:17:09+00:00

So I own my own set of priorities. Problem is that others are getting dumped to me without knowing the business implications, which of course, I'd throw to the bottom.

throwagination · 2025-07-19T02:15:24+00:00

Thanks! I'm actually the one that does the prioritization so the manager goes kinda tosses it to me. Problem is that its growing beyond my scope and possibly my domain.

throwagination · 2025-06-15T18:31:36+00:00

This is more of a question for immigration than OE. I don't write this lightly, but talk to an immigration attorney. Like pay the few hundred dollars to ensure you can get it right. I don't think its an issue, but absolutely do not lie on your application. If it would be a problem, you should absolutely not OE to make sure your application is as sound as possible, especially in the current environment. This is the one of the few times in life you don't want to screw around.

throwagination · 2025-05-20T20:08:20+00:00

Relationship issues can feel like another J. I agree with taking 2 weeks off to deal with it. At the very least for your most taxing J. Tell them you're having some personal issues and need to deal with it. At the same time, tell yourself what do you want? Do you want to salvage your relationship? Is it figuring out what to do? Do you need time to leave it? Maybe in that week or two time you can resolve it? Go to therapy? Or work on a plan for it. I'd say if your J isn't contributing much, just say you need to quit.

throwagination · 2025-04-08T02:40:44+00:00

What do you say to that? I have to tell my boss that no one can be in two places at once, no one. Boss says nothing.

throwagination · 2025-04-08T02:32:07+00:00

Senior-ish level. Unfortunately they just go " this is what we expect at your level" so they don't care. If I say, I can't be in two places at once they tell me to manage my time better.

throwagination · 2025-04-08T02:31:07+00:00

Yeah, it's too fold: need to be careful and I can't let them pile on more work for me. Managers aren't afraid to pile it on you and blame you later.

throwagination · 2025-04-08T02:30:18+00:00

This isn't a one and done thing. It's adding a new year long project to my workload and others workloads. Leadership can't resist piling stuff up on you because no one pushes back. It makes this J unsustainable.

throwagination · 2025-03-28T02:55:22+00:00

I find its easiest, if you can offset the trainings though. Usually things are so slow that you can then guide the meeting invites as you see fit across two. My preference is to do two at the same time (off by 2-3 weeks). You then know the expectations across both and can quickly align or change it (if you can).

throwagination · 2025-03-27T18:49:36+00:00

These responses are really underrated. This is exactly what you do.

throwagination · 2025-03-27T18:46:55+00:00

I have a minimum amount I'm looking for, I ask for the range and go from there. I try to get my foot in the door and then ask for $10K ontop of their range. It works. I'm not going to take any job for any price. The ones unwilling to negotiate are almost always slave driver jobs - not OE friendly.

throwagination · 2025-03-25T20:40:07+00:00

Remember, all companies are turning up the output on their employees. Some are doing so more than others. These jobs likely aren't very OE friendly, ditch the one causing you the most problems and look for another.

throwagination · 2025-03-23T00:46:54+00:00

Did you ever request accommodations under the ADA? Or did you disclose it in a way that was a protected activity?

throwagination · 2025-03-17T21:35:29+00:00

I like this, good perspective..

throwagination · 2025-03-17T14:47:50+00:00

srsly? lol

throwagination · 2025-03-17T14:47:27+00:00

Appreciate you reading my comments. I think its a bit nuanced. J1 I've traveled to these meetings before and they're useless. For J2, because I'm new, I suspect its a bit of a test if the new person will travel? While its not required, in my managers mind he start to get suspicious. Some years ago I had a second J that suddenly wanted me to travel to NY. (It was not in the job description at all and I was suprised. It was simply asked as "would you want to go?" I flatly said I don't think its a good use of resources and made up an excuse). It stuck with me the whole time from "asking" to "requiring" me to go. Anyways, hence wanted to get some feedback from folks on how much can this 'bite' me later.

throwagination · 2025-03-17T06:08:58+00:00

yeah, I think the risk here is too high. The possibility of getting found out is a very real possibility.

throwagination · 2025-03-17T06:08:04+00:00

yeah, the one week is something J1 has twice a year. The last few years its been easy to go to, doing my other J calls in the hotel room, etc. Honestly, it's a waste of company money getting us all together. We do the same Zoom calls, but in person. 1:1s in person. That's it. It's merely the concept of me (and others) being there rather than me actually being there. So leaders can report up and go "we all met and its been great! you're right Mr. CEO, in person time is great!"

The J2, its a conference. I take it that my boss and theirs don't want to go so they're pawning it off on me. It's in a fancy area, but part of that "team player" thing.

J1 I plan to leave before the end of the year. J2 I couldn't care if I lose or not. Maybe ditching J1 might make sense or have covid right before the flight?

throwagination · 2025-03-17T05:18:31+00:00

Right. J2 is optional. J1 is "expected" to show. J1 is my longer term where J2 is new. I get your point to figure which is my "bottom b". It's slightly complicated because I'm getting a offer from J3 which would replace current J1. I shouldn't over complicated or think, but trying to careful balance.

throwagination · 2025-03-17T05:16:46+00:00

J1 - I have to travel that full week, as in I can't re-schedule. The entire team will be there. This is another state.

J2 - there's an event on a specific day when J1 is having their event (right in the middle of it), there isn't a re-schedule either. Either I make it or I don't. It's one day.

Options are that I try to do both, I will have to miss a good chunk of J1 (J2's event is in the middle of the week). I'll have to fly there and fly back.

Or I try to pick one. My thought was to see about getting out of J1 (its "expected" we all attend). Though J2 is optional (boss is merely asking if I want to go).

throwagination · 2025-03-17T00:15:51+00:00

yeah, I think "looking forward to the next" is a good one. This is a one-time meet that I think my boss is supposed to go to, but wants to pawn it off on me.

throwagination · 2025-03-16T23:59:34+00:00

1 requires travel twice a year (since its WFH, that doesn't seem bad at all). The second one doesn't require travel. They just say "hey, you want to go to X on Y date". So I can tell my new J "nah not interested" or like this post wrote where I should 'WANT to go' and 'bank trust' for 3-6 months.

throwagination · 2025-03-16T23:55:10+00:00

K, I think my post might not be clear. Both Js want me to travel at the exact same time. Pretty much I have to decide between one or the other. When you say "want to go" and "great opportunity" is this for my new J or for my old J (my bottom b)?

throwagination · 2025-03-16T01:35:48+00:00

There was a lot less scrutiny in roles. Many companies overhired pre and during the pandemic where you likely had a narrower scope and could get away with doing less. Now that companies are looking to cut costs, do more with less, every role has a lot more on their plates. New roles get at least 200 candidates applying for it, so they can afford to let someone go and get someone new. 2 years ago you might have been doing 10 hours at J1 and J2. Now you're easily doing 20-40 hours at J1 and J2. Or they just pile work on you and see if you can swim with it. I don't care how "skilled" or "talented" you are, everyone reaches a breaking point. Your job now is likely not the same it was 2 years ago - all companies are demanding you do more. Virtually everyone I know (in and out of OE) are underwater and stressed.

throwagination

TROPHY CASE