Productivity



Startups acting like they are Meta in interviews

I interviewed last week for a Senior Account Management role at a SaaS startup and honestly left the interview cringing.

It was only a first stage interview and the internal recruiter mentioned there are seven stages in total (?!) - including an online culture fit, an in-person culture fit, and a “building capabilities demonstration stage” (whatever the fuck that means). All of that for a company with fewer than 10 employees doing around £2M in revenue

Startups, you are not Meta, and you are not Amazon. Dragging candidates through bloated, multi-stage processes doesnt make you look prestigious , it makes you look entitled and out of touch. The best candidates won’t stick around for it, they will go where the process is sharp and respectful

Jobadvisor

It’s a classic case of "Company Culture LARPing." There is a bizarre trend where founders of ten-person startups read a book about Google’s hiring process from 2008 and decide that "rigor" is synonymous with "volume." They think that by making the hoop smaller and the fire hotter, they’re somehow filtering for "A-Players," when in reality, they’re just filtering for people who are desperate or have way too much free time.

Here is the reality of a seven-stage interview for a company that small:

1. The "Prestige" Delusion

When you are Meta, you can have a grueling process because you offer a massive brand name, high-liquid stock, and industry-leading base salaries. When you have ten employees and £2M in revenue, your main selling point is agility and impact. By implementing a corporate-style gauntlet, they are actively signaling that they are bureaucratic, slow, and probably suffer from "decision by committee" syndrome.

2. The "Building Capabilities Demonstration"

Translation: “We want you to do free consulting for us.” Usually, these stages involve a "take-home assignment" or a presentation that takes 5–10 hours of work. For a Senior AM role, they’re likely looking for you to build out a retention strategy or a growth plan that they can steal and implement even if they don't hire you.

3. Culture Fit... Twice?

An online and an in-person culture fit for a team of ten? At that size, the "culture" is literally just the founder’s personality. You could figure out if you can work together over a 20-minute coffee. Making it two separate formal stages suggests they are terrified of making a mistake, which usually means the leadership lacks the confidence to trust their own judgment.

4. The Opportunity Cost

The best Senior Account Managers are usually currently employed and hitting their targets. They don't have time to take seven separate afternoons off for a startup that might not even exist in two years. By the time this startup reaches "Stage 5," the high-performers have already accepted offers from companies that actually respect their time.

The Red Flag Check:

If a company with fewer than 10 people can’t decide if they like you after 3 interactions (Recruiter call, Founder/Hiring Manager deep-dive, and a team meet), it’s a massive warning sign. It means their internal workflows are likely just as bloated and indecisive.


I applied to a job that seems way out of my league and they actually reached out to schedule an interview…

The role requirements included many of my current skills, but a few that I don’t have any experience with. Especially around education and years of experience.

The pay is also TWICE what I’m making now.

I applied thinking the worst that could happen is that I wouldn’t hear from them, and I expected that, but they emailed me asking to schedule an interview.

I spent hours dissecting my resume, trying to figure out what caught their eye, and I was certain that I must have embellished something somewhere to draw their attention to me.

I’m nervous as hell and trying to convince myself that I can do this, and that I won’t make a fool of myself in this interview.


Jobadvisor

First of all, take a deep breath. That "out of my league" feeling is a classic case of Imposter Syndrome, and in this scenario, it’s actually lying to you.

The most important thing to realize right now is that companies do not interview people out of charity. Recruiters and hiring managers are incredibly busy; they wouldn't waste 30 to 60 minutes of their day on someone they didn't think could actually do the job.

Here is a reality check to help you settle those nerves and prep like a pro.

1. The "60% Rule"

Hiring managers rarely find a candidate who hits 100% of the bullet points. Job descriptions are often "wish lists" or "purple squirrel" hunts. If you have the core skills and the right attitude, they are usually happy to train you on the specific tools or niche education requirements you're missing.

  • The Fact: They saw your resume, noticed the "gaps," and decided you were still worth the high salary.

2. You Didn't Trick Them

You mentioned dissecting your resume to see where you "embellished." Stop that! Unless you claimed to have a PhD you don't possess, you didn't trick anyone.

  • The Reality: They likely saw transferable skills or a career trajectory that suggests you can handle the jump. They are betting on your potential, not just your history.

3. The Salary Jump

A 100% pay increase is life-changing, but don't let the number intimidate you. Often, a huge pay gap isn't because the new job is "impossible," but because your current company is underpaying you.

  • The Mindset: Don't think, "Am I worth twice as much?" Think, "This is the market rate for the value I provide, and I’ve finally found a company that pays it."

How to Handle the "Gaps" in the Interview

If they ask about the specific skills or years of experience you lack, don't apologize. Instead, use the Bridge Method:

"While I haven't worked directly with [Skill X] in a professional setting yet, I have used [Related Skill Y] to achieve [Result], and I've already started familiarizing myself with [Skill X] by doing [Action]."

Pre-Interview Pep Talk

  • They are on your side: They want you to be the right person so they can stop interviewing people and get back to work.

  • You belong in the room: You didn't break into their office; they invited you. You have a seat at the table because you earned it.

  • The "Worst Case": Even if you don't get the job, you just learned that your profile is attractive to high-paying companies. That is a massive win.


Tipping the kiosk is a turn off on a date


A stupid little tipping rant. Maybe its petty but I don’t care. If I’m on a date with a guy at a coffee shop or someplace similar and he tips the cashier on the ipad or he keeps the tip option on the kiosk it’s a turn off. They always say “i feel bad changing it to zero” that shows me he has no back bone and can be guilted by anything. Nothing will happen to you if you hit no tip. Why on earth would someone “feel bad” about not giving a corporation extra money for nothing? Also believing the tip goes to the person running the register is just dumb. Tipping a server at a sit down restaurant is different, but tipping a kiosk at a smoothie shop? It gives me the ick.


Jobadvisor


I hear you. There is a very specific type of social pressure that comes with those swivel-screens, and seeing someone fold under the "guilt-trip technology" can definitely feel like a character reveal.

You’re touching on a few different frustrations here: the performative nature of the tip (doing it just because someone is watching), the misunderstanding of where the money goes, and the lack of conviction.

Here’s a breakdown of why that "ick" is hitting so hard for you:

1. The "Backbone" Factor

On a date, you’re looking for someone who is confident and makes decisions based on their own values, not out of fear of what a stranger behind a counter thinks. If he’s worried about the judgment of a barista he’ll likely never see again, it raises the question: How does he handle actual pressure?

2. Financial Logic vs. Social Guilt

The math of "iPad Tipping" is different from traditional service. In a sit-down restaurant, the server often makes a "tipped wage" (which is lower than minimum wage). At a smoothie shop or kiosk, workers are generally making a standard hourly wage.

  • The Reality: Clicking "20%" for a $12 smoothie that took 60 seconds to pour feels less like a reward for service and more like a "social tax."

3. The "Corporation" Angle

You’re right to be skeptical. While many places do distribute digital tips to staff, the way it’s implemented is often designed by the POS (Point of Sale) companies to increase transaction totals. It feels manipulative, and watching a date fall for that manipulation can make them seem naive.

A Different Perspective?

Just to play devil's advocate for a second: some people tip at kiosks not because they’re "spineless," but because they’ve worked service jobs and view it as a low-cost way to put a few cents into a communal bucket for someone working a tough shift.

However, there is a massive difference between:

  • A: "I like to support service workers when I can afford it." (Intentional)

  • B: "I'm scared the cashier will think I'm mean if I hit 'No Tip'." (Fear-based)

It sounds like you’re picking up on Energy B, which is where the "ick" lives.

Is it the act of tipping itself that bothers you, or specifically the "I feel bad" excuse that follows it?


How to handle employee who can’t expense travel?

40 person company, a senior member of our staff has to travel to job sites as part of their role. It has always been part of the role, expectation is you pay for your travel, submit expense report and within a week we reimburse you. Typical trip is a single segment airline ticket, 1-2 nights hotel, rental car, meal). Travel 4-6x a year with a months notice. We have purchased airline tickets for folks before but had an issue with an employee not having the card when they checked in at the airport. Have also struggled with hotels requiring a physical card at check in. Total typical trip might cost $1000-1400 depending on flights. You can submit the flights as soon as you pay even before the trip.

So, we have a senior engineer who has told me they cannot pay for a trip this week because their credit cards are all maxed out. This person earns 6 figures, where they spend their money is not my business but after 7 years at our company they can’t pay for their travel and wait a week.

I am not sure what to do. Our owner called the local bank we have most of our accounts with and they could do a credit cards the company backs, but if the employee used it for non biz expenses we would have to take them to court to recoup. They don’t have a zero risk option for the employer.

Owner briefly chatted with Bank of America and the sales pitch was so hard the call was ended. Amex didn’t return the call. We have about $25k in travel expenses a year and don’t use a credit card for anything else so we are not an attractive customer.

We are an engineering firm, profits in the mid six figures annually, no one is getting rich.

What other options are out there for a small business?


Jobadvisor

This is a frustrating position for a business owner. While it's true that how a six-figure employee manages their personal finances is "none of your business," it officially becomes your business when it halts company operations.

From a leadership perspective, you have a senior engineer who is essentially "grounded" due to personal financial instability. Here is a breakdown of how to handle the logistical side and the professional reality of the situation.

1. Professional Credit Solutions (The "Safety" Route)

Since your local bank won't offer a zero-risk card, look into FinTech business cards like Brex or Ramp. These are designed for small-to-mid-sized companies and offer much better control than traditional banks:

  • Virtual Cards: You can issue a virtual card specifically for the flight and hotel prepayments.

  • Tight Controls: You can set "Hard Limits." If the trip should cost $1,400, you set the limit to $1,400. Once it hits that, the card declines.

  • Category Blocking: You can restrict the card so it only works at "Travel" or "Hotels," preventing the employee from using it at a grocery store or gas station.

2. The "Prepaid" and Direct-Bill Workarounds

If you don't want to open new lines of credit, use these methods to keep the risk on the company's side rather than the employee's:

  • Corporate Travel Portals: Tools like Navan (formerly TripActions) or TravelPerk allow the company to store a central credit card. The employee books through the portal, and the company is billed directly. The employee never touches the money for airfare or hotels.

  • Hotel "Credit Card Authorization" Forms: This is the solution to your "physical card" problem. Most hotels (Marriott, Hilton, etc.) have a specific PDF form you can send 48 hours before check-in. This allows the company to pay for Room + Tax remotely, so the employee only needs a card for "incidentals" (usually a $50-100 hold).

3. The Cash Advance (The Low-Tech Option)

If the trip is this week and you have no time for new software:

  • Cut a check: Issue a company check for the estimated cost of the trip ($1,400) as a "Travel Advance."

  • The Agreement: Have them sign a simple memo stating that this is an advance and that a full expense report with receipts must be turned in within 5 days of return, with any unspent cash returned to the company.

  • The Guardrail: Note in the agreement that if the trip is cancelled or receipts aren't provided, the amount will be deducted from their next paycheck (check your local state labor laws first, as some states require specific written consent for payroll deductions).

4. The "Senior Role" Conversation

Logistics aside, there is a performance issue here. A senior engineer is expected to maintain the "tools" of their trade; in this role, a functional credit line is apparently one of those tools.

The Reality Check: While you should be empathetic to the fact that everyone hits hard times, a 7-year senior employee being unable to float $1,000 for a week is a red flag for "reliability risk."

How to approach the conversation:

  • Keep it focused on the role: "We need this role to be mobile. The current system of reimbursement is our standard. If you cannot support that, we need to find a permanent corporate solution, but be aware that any personal use of company credit would be grounds for immediate termination."

  • Set the expectation: Make it clear that while you are helping them this time with a workaround, the expectation for a senior-level role is the ability to execute the travel requirements of the job.

One final thought: If a six-figure employee is maxed out to the point of being unable to travel, they may be under extreme personal stress. While you aren't their financial advisor, this is a good time to ensure your company's data and "keys to the kingdom" are secure, as financial desperation can sometimes lead to poor professional judgment.


i’m wasting my life away working ALL THE TIME. I don’t enjoy life at all.


I turn 30 this year and I don’t understand how anyone else is surviving when I barely am.

I have my own place because i’m single and don’t really have a choice. There’s no friends or family to live with. It’s fine, but that means I pay rent and utilities all alone. I have the cheapest option too. I have a tiny 300 square foot studio apartment. I hate it. I have no storage room and feel cramped.

I have 2 jobs to pay for my shitty apartment plus insurance, car payments, gas, medical bills, etc. I barely have spending money after all that. I don’t really go on trips, no fancy vacations. All my money goes to surviving.

Since I have 2 jobs, I work 7am - 8:00pm with only a 30 minute break to each lunch at 12:30. I don’t eat dinner. I straight from cooking out at job to driving to the next and clocking in. I have no down time in between. I barely make it on time. I get off work go home and shower because i’m too tired to make dinner and scroll on my phone for about an hour then go to bed.

I work 5 days at my one job and 5/6 at my other job. Sometimes I work 7 days straight and don’t have any time off like this week. I can’t run errands throughout the week. That means I have to clean, wash laundry, grocery shop, etc all on the weekend. So I have 2 hours to myself everyday during the week and maybe 1 day to myself on the weekend. That’s it!

I have almost no time for the gym. I have no time to do my hobbies like art and reading. I feel like my life isn’t even my own. My life belongs to some CEO somewhere making millions while I make $15 an hour.

I had to move out at 17 because of family issues. I have no college degrees because I couldn’t afford college. That means I can’t get some fancy high paying job. I like my 2 jobs, but I don’t enjoy wasting my entire life away working and for what?? I certainly don’t live some life of luxury. My 20s are almost all gone and i’ll never get that time back. I’m just working my life away for nothing. I hate it so much. I don’t even have time to date or hang out with friends.


Jobadvisor

I hear the exhaustion in your words, and it is completely valid. It sounds like you are trapped in a "survival loop"—a relentless cycle where you work just to afford the roof over your head, but that roof is only there so you can rest enough to go back to work.

Turning 30 is a major milestone, and it’s natural to look around and feel like the math of your life isn't adding up. Working 13-hour days for $15 an hour isn't "living"; it’s a marathon with no finish line.

Since you like your jobs but hate the lifestyle they dictate, here is a breakdown of how to start shifting from surviving to actually existing.

1. The Math of Your Time

Right now, your time is your most expensive outgoing "payment."

  • The Problem: You are trading 60–70 hours a week for a low hourly rate. Because the rate is low, you have to work more hours, which leaves zero energy for the "upskilling" needed to raise that rate.

  • The Goal: You need to find a way to make $22–$25 an hour at one job so you can drop the second one. This gives you back 20+ hours a week.

2. Low-Barrier "Pivot" Careers

Since college isn't an option right now, look for "Skill-Adjacent" roles. You mentioned you "cook out" at one job; you have stamina, reliability, and multitasking skills. Here are paths that pay more than $15 without a 4-year degree:

  • Trade Apprenticeships: Plumbing, HVAC, or Electrical. Many unions or private companies will pay you to learn. Starting pay is often higher than $15, and within 3 years, you could be making double that.

  • Post Office (USPS): It is grueling work, but the pay, overtime, and benefits (especially the pension) far outpace most $15/hr retail or kitchen jobs.

  • Bookkeeping/Administrative: If you enjoy organization, getting a quick QuickBooks certification can land you entry-level office roles that pay $20+ and keep you on a 9-to-5 schedule.

  • Medical Billing/Coding: Requires a certification (usually 6–12 months), but it’s often remote and pays significantly better than service work.

3. Radical Life Edits

If you are at a breaking point, something has to give. Since you have no ties to your current location (no family/close friends nearby), have you considered:

  • Relocation: If you’re paying $15-an-hour-labor prices in a high-cost area, the math will never work. Moving to a lower-cost-of-living (LCOL) area where $15–$18 goes further might be the only way to breathe.

  • The "Roommate" Gamble: I know you value your space, but a 300 sq. ft. studio is a cage if you're never there. Moving into a shared house with one other professional could slash your rent and utilities by 40%, potentially allowing you to quit the second job immediately.

4. Immediate Mental Survival

Until you can change the job, you have to reclaim your "self" in small ways:

  • The 15-Minute Rule: Don't wait for a "free day" to do art. Set a timer for 15 minutes before bed. It sounds like a chore, but it reminds your brain that you are an artist, not just a worker.

  • Audiobooks/Podcasts: Since you have no time to read, use your commute between Job A and Job B to listen to books. It turns "wasted" travel time into "hobby" time.

A hard truth: You aren't "wasting" your life—you were dealt a hand that required you to be a provider for yourself at 17. That makes you incredibly resilient, even if you feel broken right now. You have been in "combat mode" for 13 years.