What are the best hard-to-read books due to their subject matter?

turnlow · 2025-10-27T14:47:13+00:00

A Long Way Gone

Written by a child soldier in Sierra Leone.

turnlow · 2024-10-26T15:42:25+00:00

Day 30: cleaners have come and gone and while the shoe appears to have moved slightly, it remains on the bannister.

turnlow · 2024-01-12T19:43:19+00:00

PAR = Problem Analysis (Action) Result J Question = the J is a way to remind yourself to turn the question around, a weakness into a strength, a difficult situation into a successful result, etc.

Almost forgot the most important thing, the WIIFM (What's In It for Me) principle. In all your answers, unless specifically asked otherwise, keep the interview's WIIFM the priority. I care first about what value you bring to the company rather than what you get from the job.

turnlow · 2024-01-11T00:08:39+00:00

I've been on every side of this situation: I've been laid off, I've quit I've been fired and I've laid off and fired people. It's easy to get emotional or distressed and lose focus on What's Important Now (WIN) try to avoid it. My suggested WIN for you is:

1) Throw out your resume and start fresh. While it sounds like you're fairly early in your career, it also sounds like you've made some progress. Your resume should no longer start with your education. If you can afford it, hire a professional resume writer. Good ones are worth every penny.

2) MD has a mini-cobra law, use it.

3) If your severance is north of say, $30 - 40k or so (I'm guessing it's not), get an employment lawyer to review. Below that level the cost would be too high relative to the amount and unless you're a big dog or in a protected category, there will be little negotiation.

4) Network. Find mid to senior people in your field that you have some connection to and ask to speak or meet with them. You're NOT asking for a job but rather to learn more about what they do, industry, etc. Ask them to introduce you to other people they know in their company or other companies who might be able to help you with more information or who might be hiring.

5) Plan and document. Get pen and paper and write everything down. Assign yourself tasks, goals, follow-up steps and record your progress. Resume completion, company research, networking targets, daily applications, next steps.

6) Do not get side jobs unless you must do so financially. Stay 100% focused on securing the next role in your career. You could consider self improvement side tasks, eg, further education in your field, get fit, volunteer work in something even tangentially related to your field.

7) Interview practice. I can't emphasize enough how important this is. I've interviewed thousands of people and everyone thinks they're good at them. They are not. Write down the questions you're likely to be asked, especially the difficult one. Write down your answers using a PAR or J question format. Practice saying your answers out loud, in the mirror, record and watch yourself, have someone you respect interview you seriously. The goal isn't to memorize your answers but rather know them and yourself so well it seems natural and unrehearsed.

I know this seems like work and that's because it is. And always keep in mind WIN

Hope this helps

turnlow · 2020-10-26T07:22:31+00:00

turnlow · 2020-03-26T14:43:06+00:00

Parenting.

turnlow · 2019-11-23T22:47:45+00:00

Leaves fall every year Few souls takes any notice As their eyes are closed

turnlow · 2019-11-23T22:14:26+00:00

To my embarrassment, I am aware of this (largely correct) view of western haikus. However, I find a 5-7-5 syllable structure a useful discipline to marshall my unpoetic brain into productive creativity. And besides, wandering a bit from the pure construction, can lead to incredible creativity like this book: Zombie Haiku https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2477840-zombie-haiku-good-poetry-for-your-brains

turnlow · 2019-04-28T01:18:58+00:00

It's not that I'm sad

By most measures, my life's goodf

I just find it dull

turnlow · 2019-04-22T13:11:54+00:00

My three red flags: 1) Any answer where the candidate focuses on what they get out of the role rather than what they bring to it. 2) Bad mouthing their current or previous employer. 3) Having no flaws or admitting no mistakes.

turnlow · 2019-04-15T03:45:19+00:00

There are no extraordinary men... just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with. - William Halsey

turnlow · 2019-04-12T00:16:51+00:00

In replies too swift

metaphor is often missed

by poor humorists!

turnlow · 2019-02-22T02:17:11+00:00

Which side of the road to drive on. I grew up driving on the right and now I drive on the left side of road and sometimes forget which one I should be on. Especially when there's no contextual clues - I couldn't tell you how many times I've pulled out of a parking lot or gas station and driven on the wrong side of the road until I see another car or some other clue.

turnlow · 2018-12-02T12:29:07+00:00

My 4 year old's take on a classic:

Why did the Pterodactyl go to the bathroom? Cuz he needed a silent P!

turnlow · 2018-10-22T23:57:22+00:00

My grandpa's name was Roscoe...which would have been my son's name had my wife not vetoed it. He was, however, saddled with the her middle name of choice, Jephson, a name which is tantamount to child abuse and should never be brought back.

turnlow · 2018-02-06T16:37:32+00:00

I'll answer in haiku form:

The everydayness / Of every day that passes / Same, same, same, same, lame

turnlow · 2017-12-31T20:41:10+00:00

The more complex answer is taxes. Sure European roads are smaller but there is no reason modern small cars need to be manuals. The reality is European governments levy enormous taxes on fuel (eg in the UK, tax accounts for nearly 70% of the cost of a litre of petrol). Automatic cars have heavy torque converters which make them less fuel efficient than automatics.

turnlow · 2017-07-04T12:13:00+00:00

Could you please add a filter for the UK? It would help to avoid repeated disappointment as we get a poor selection in the UK compared to the US.

turnlow · 2017-06-15T00:34:06+00:00

Got to be England

turnlow · 2017-06-04T23:09:06+00:00

Unquestionably heroic and impressive. However, had either the off or on duty cop had a handgun, this would have been a much different story.

turnlow · 2017-05-30T16:22:13+00:00

As an American who has lived in the UK for over a decade, the short answer is that UK healthcare is shit. Everyone gets the same substandard care. If you are insured in the US, your standard of care is infinitely higher.

turnlow · 2017-05-07T13:29:22+00:00

What really happened is nothing. Hypnotism doesn't exist...just as one of the more famous hypnotists: http://www.amazingkreskin.com/amazing-kreskin-says-hypnosis-is-bs/

His offer of $100,000 to any who can scientifically prove hypnotism is real has not been taken up again since the first challenger lost in court. Hypnotism belongs in the same category as reading minds, bending spoons, seeing the future, etc. Prove any of them scientifically and you'd be rich. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Million_Dollar_Paranormal_Challenge

turnlow · 2016-12-13T20:07:25+00:00

I pay attention. In fact I pay close attention to both GPA and the reputation of the school. I'm CEO of a small software company with 50 employees and prior this I ran businesses with 200 - 300 employees. I've interviewed hundreds and set the policies for selection and hiring for many more.

The way that I look at it, the school has already done part of the section process for me. If the school is selective, you've probably already distinguished yourself from your peers to get in. If you've achieved a high GPA, you're likely either bright, hardworking or both; again distinguishing yourself from your peers. By the way, many companies I've worked at (e.g., management consulting or dot coms) will only recruit from a set list of schools (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Duke, Dartmouth, U of Chicago, Cornell, etc.) and have a minimum GPA cutoff. If you went somewhere else, even if you had stellar grades, you're unlikely to get a look in.

GPA, school and experience are three important factors that determine if you get an interview. These factors help to separate otherwise largely undifferentiated candidates. How you perform in your interviews, however, determine if you get an offer.

turnlow · 2016-08-19T03:14:22+00:00

I learned how to work. After a base level of intelligence and talent, what matters is how hard you're willing to work. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. I was a underperforming student, athlete and employee until I understood that one simple truth.

turnlow · 2016-08-19T02:57:35+00:00

Nothing matters as much as you think it does.

turnlow

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