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ArjinFerman  Tinfoil Gigachad  8hr ago (text post)   100 thread views

Tinker Tuesday for January 20, 2026

This thread is for anyone working on personal projects to share their progress, and hold themselves somewhat accountable to a group of peers.

Post your project, your progress from last week, and what you hope to accomplish this week.

If you want to be pinged with a reminder asking about your project, let me know, and I'll harass you each week until you cancel the service

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Well, I signed on the line that was dotted. I received a life changing offer I couldn't refuse, and I couldn't be happier about the total compensation, or the work I'll be doing.

Reflections on the process:

  • The interviewers were just happy I actually prepared. Read all the prep material they sent, did the leetcode problems they suggested, etc. Apparently most people just come in off the street expecting to YOLO into a job. I suspect this is downwind of my area being awash in people used to being a butt in seat that can be billed to the government, whether work gets done or not.
  • Having the proper qualifications to be a butt in seat still gets you a pretty good offer. The moment my resume went up on the board people advertise such availability, I had one of the regional megacorps cold calling me with an offer that was already generous beyond my previous employer. Was about 72 hours between the cold call, quick technical screening, offer, counter offer, and approval. They could have probably scooped most people with that approach. I had to stretch it out way longer to make sure I gave other opportunities a chance.
  • My wife is a former recruiter, and I think I did absolutely every single thing she told me not to do. I said almost everything she told me not to say. It all worked out in the end, far better than I could have ever dreamed. I donno, maybe all that "Just be yourself" advice isn't complete bullshit after all.

Apparently most people just come in off the street expecting to YOLO into a job.

It's pretty much everywhere. People just hate reading stuff. Users don't read the docs, no matter how good they are. Coworkers do not read meeting notes and pre-meeting materials, no matter how many times you ask them to. That's just how people are. Exceptions, when they happen, are surely appreciated.

Congrats on the successful completion of your mission.

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