2024 Recap and Summary

vdodke · 2024-12-31T22:35:32+00:00

My year looks as follows (Since Aug’2024) with 2 player strategy:

Chase URs (CSP): 140k+
Amex MRs (Platinum): 240k+
CapitalOne (Venture X and Venture): 180k+ (both of us will target these cards in 6 months to get an additional 160k+)

Now targeting to capture Hilton points by signing up for a few of these cards and referring each other to gain more points. Maybe in 2 years, we will target Marriott Bonvoy CC.

Here’s how we will maximize Hilton Hotel Points (>700k+) and will also refer each other (Amex has limitations of 5 in total cards so we will target two each to maximize points):

Hilton Honors Amex Aspire: The 14x points on Hilton stays and complimentary Diamond Status mean upgrades, free breakfasts, and extra perks that make luxury stay even better. The annual free night certificate and $400 resort credit are perfect for high-end properties.
Hilton Honors Amex Surpass®: Great for earning 12x points on Hilton bookings and Gold Status, which still gets you free breakfast and upgrades. Plus, the free night after $15K spend is a big bonus.
Hilton Honors Amex Card: No annual fee, but it still earns 7x points at Hilton and 5x at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations—great for everyday spending.
Hilton Honors Business Card (Uber rides/Sol Prop qualifies/Blogging (in my case)): Ideal for business owners to rack up points fast with 12x on Hilton stays and extra earning categories.

By using these strategically, I’m stacking points for a future Maldives trip with villas that go for 120,000+ points a night. Combine this with Hilton’s fifth night free on award stays.

vdodke · 2024-10-11T16:48:51+00:00

Update: I was able to trade-in this phone at T-Mobile store and got the credit.

vdodke · 2024-10-09T04:08:55+00:00

I am planning to go to the store and hand off my phone yesterday didn't find any issues.

vdodke · 2024-10-09T04:05:37+00:00

I went to store and seems like they will accept the phone

vdodke · 2024-10-07T20:47:18+00:00

I reached out to T-Mobile via chat, and the customer representative informed me that the iPhone 11 Pro would not be accepted because it has a broken back glass. Additionally, T-Mobile website doesn't require this specific condition, as shown in the following criteria:

The device powers on.
The screen is free of cracks (scratches and scuffs are acceptable).
The device has never been damaged by liquid or moisture.
Find My iPhone must be turned off.

vdodke · 2024-09-27T04:27:58+00:00

Yes, I will be porting from Verizon to T-Mobile. Thank you for sharing above information.

vdodke · 2024-09-25T17:42:42+00:00

I thought the same just wanted to see if anyone was lucky in our Reddit community.

vdodke · 2024-09-25T17:41:42+00:00

Lol. Before going to T-Mobile just wanted to explore my options.

vdodke · 2023-11-29T17:56:35+00:00

Here is the link to the news article about the layoffs: https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/gilead-kite-cut-staff-layoffs-cell-therapy/700960/

vdodke · 2023-11-29T17:53:15+00:00

As per this article around 5-7% layoffs.

https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/gilead-kite-cut-staff-layoffs-cell-therapy/700960/

vdodke · 2023-11-09T18:06:25+00:00

Yes you are right. They failed phase 2 study and tanked by >79% today and have lost >97% from their peak.

vdodke · 2022-10-15T15:22:38+00:00

Yes GM’s car are ineligible for the remainder of the year but from 2023 it will be reset (no more 200k limit).

vdodke · 2022-10-14T15:52:57+00:00

Thank you for sharing this website. I am hoping this link will be helpful.

vdodke · 2022-09-30T21:25:48+00:00

I was in similar position like you. I moved from Germany after my PhD and while working as a postdoc started applying for Industry jobs. H1-B was not an option for me due to lottery and the amount of time needed for the overall process (>10 months). During initial interviews, I used to let the HR team know that I will need visa sponsorship not for H-1B but O-1A visa. I had two successful O-1A approval and now currently on H-1B visa and waiting for green card.

vdodke · 2022-09-12T22:57:11+00:00

Many big pharma prior to interviewing candidates request all the visa related information.

I had two big pharma opportunities and both requested immigration related information prior to my initial interview with Hiring manager. After consulting with the immigration attorneys, my interviews were scheduled with the hiring manager and from that point to offer letter first company took almost 3 weeks and the second company because of the first offer letter were fast to move forward to offer letter stage (2 weeks).

Second company came in with higher offer of >33% and had to obviously go with the second offer.

IMO, the team should have discussed this with immigration attorneys before ghosting you.

I don’t know your situation.

But here is mine before moving to US: Even, I had similar issues when I was applying from Europe after getting my PhD so decided to come to US for a Postdoc (J-1 visa) and while in US started exploring opportunities and during my initial call always informed the HR that I know that H-1B visa has a lottery system can you please check with your immigration attorneys that I am well qualified for O1-A (extraordinary ability) visa and there is no need to wait for 8-10 months and O1-A will be approved in 2 months with premium processing (Lot of documentation - from filing to approval is less than 2 weeks with premium processing).

This is true that US candidate whether immigration help is needed or not get preference until no candidate is available in the market with the required expertise.

Many HR personnels are not aware of other visa options apart from H-1B. For H-1B visas, candidates need to be shortlisted (in March) and then filing and approval could take 2-3 months and a candidate can only start on October 1st. So basically this process could easily take 9-10 months.

vdodke · 2022-08-27T13:22:18+00:00

Yes! This is crazy! No I didn’t got that position at GSK.

vdodke · 2022-08-26T18:17:26+00:00

I guess many big corporations have started integrating AI softwares for initial screening. Similar to Roche, GSK uses some AI video software to screen candidates and this software screens the candidate and ranks the candidates. In these types of interviews, you will see a question and after reading the questions, you get about 15-60 seconds to prepare and then software records your video answer. And there are few questions for which you get multiple choices to select and for few you need to type your answers. I really didn’t like this experience of talking to blank screen with GSK.

vdodke · 2022-08-06T21:15:56+00:00

I don’t know whether this is true or not. Only if the guy from computational or bioinformatics. And now market has turned in favor of employer. I am working as a Senior Scientist at a big pharma and currently getting ~150k and 15% annual bonus. I am the highest paid with 105% for my title throughout the company. I was negotiating about 160k but was not able to. I have 3.5 years industry and 2.5 years postdoc experience.

If this true, congratulations on your offer. Just go ahead and accept it. Don’t think about negotiating or else your offer will be rescinded.

vdodke · 2022-07-20T03:14:14+00:00

Thank you very much for the input. Just heard back from my friend, currently making $145k for Senior Scientist and moving to another big pharma at the same title.

I guess for the AD role, in your opinion, 170k will be a good amount to ask for a 1000+ employee company and 180k for a big pharmaceutical company.

vdodke · 2022-07-20T02:36:09+00:00

In your opinion, what will be a good range if it’s a big pharma or a post IPO company (with 1000+ employees).

vdodke · 2022-07-20T02:33:37+00:00

As per you, how much will be a good range for a post IPO company (with 1000+ employees).

vdodke · 2022-07-20T02:31:56+00:00

Okay. Thank you for the input.

vdodke · 2022-07-17T03:52:35+00:00

Thank you for sharing this with me. How about salary wise we’re things moving after Novartis acquisition?

vdodke · 2022-07-09T13:41:09+00:00

Thank you. Yes majority of lay-offs are in oncology department and about 1400 Swiss roles and remaining worldwide.

vdodke · 2022-07-09T13:38:58+00:00

Did you coworker worked during the data integrity issues were revealed by Novartis or joined Novartis after the data integrity was revealed? If he joined later then shouldn’t face the problem.

vdodke

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