#advice

I want to share something pretty simple that I think applies to all of us when we run into problems at work.

When something is frustrating you, there are really three productive choices: accept it, address it, or exit.

-> Accept it.
Not every problem is going to be fixed, and not every decision is going to go the way we want.

-> Address it.
If something genuinely needs to change, then bring it forward . AND come ready to help solve it.

-> Exit.
And sometimes, the reality is that the job, the environment, or the way the company operates just isn’t right for someone anymore.\

What’s the latest CL promotion Guide?
I know it’s complicated, but looking for something simple….like below:

Avg OWD = 1yrs
Avg Outstanding = 2yrs
Avg Excellent = 4yrs
Avg V Good = 8yrs
Avg Good = 16yrs
Avg NI = 30yrs

Thanks for any useful info.

I remember someone here posted how they were overwhelmed and got a few back ups to help with their tasks and it was great.

Im overwhelmed, voiced opinion to manager and now I’m in a position to get help from other employees (off shore) that I will train…and I’m wondering if training them on this would be me pretty much me training them to take over my job… sadly

Has anyone had stories like this? Did it work out for you?

If you are 1 to 5 years at Chevron and trying to navigate your career path, it might seem foggy but there is a method to the madness. You have not fully built your network yet while everything seems to be changing fast. My advice is collaborate more than you compete. You will be surprised how many employees with 10+ years of experience will be willing to mentor and even lend you their connections if you run into a rough patch. Compete against yourself to be better, not against your co-worker. Take advantage of all the training opportunities Chevron provides. All of that is well within your control, everything else is mostly noise. Trust the process.

How do folks feel about AI-DLC?

100% be cautious of this.. You’ll read a lot of people say something like “oh I got a job during those 60 days and kept the severance”. I did this. Lost my severance. Then got laid off two months later at my new job. 8 months later im back here. In a role 3 levels lower than when I left.

Remember those 60 days you’re still employed. If you accept another role. You aren’t laid off. You’ve now quit.

It’s a notice of potential employment loss due to layoff. If you accept another role during that time you quit your job and took a new job. These companies have automated systems that notify each other. Especially with workday.

Very much do start your job hunt immediately. It’s a long drawn out process with multiple rounds of interviews.

Just don’t accept the role until day 61.

I beg of you - listen to my advice.

A good one to write to congress jn support of

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/department-of-homeland-security-plan-that-hints-at-us-government-increasing-fees-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas-for-large-companies/amp_articleshow/132858904.cms

You have been advised.

To anybody out there. Be honest, not discouraging, I have another job opportunity with ATT. It would be a field service rep, you go and sell to customers that have appointments for internet install. The pay sounds great, does anybody know anything about taking this job?

Why are people so chicken shiiit scared to post names, initials, products, groups, or orgs on an anonymous site? These FCKRS have destroyed 10s of thousands of lives. They should be called out. Call them out!!

...and please, please, stop using the above phrase in modern emails. With respect; I get it, it was once a common phrase. Those years are long over.

Peace.

Three months out and I'm a different person. I should have made this move years ago.

Just an FYI for you. I entered a comment (on this site) about how Jones is reducing payouts on LP A share and provided my conjectures on its future. I was searching for sites that might provide more information on the offering. Guess what— AI quoted my comments as a factual response to my search. It is so ironic. The offering that will substantially lessen my annual earnings will provide capital to increase AI that is simply taking information whether factual or not and providing to users. So sad! Beware of any information provided by AI online.

New to Frisco and moving for the job. Give it to me folks! What will I like? What will I hate? What can I adapt to love?

Source: Justin Bateh, PhD

Tactical advice for managers running teams, projects, & operations in the AI era | CEO @ AI Operators Lab | Led 40 AI Rollouts | PhD & PMP | Top 100 Maven Educator | Leadership • AI • Project Management • Career Growth.

They didn’t teach me this in school:

1/ Perception beats performance
→ People promote who they trust,
→ Not just who deliver
→ How you're seen > what you do

2/ The real decisions happen before the meeting
→ Most rooms are just theater
→ Influence happens behind closed doors

3/ Loyalty is transactional
→ It’s not personal, it’s positional
→ Don’t confuse company values
→ With job security

4/ Power protects power
→ People in charge defend their seat first
→ Be aware of the hierarchy
→ Even when it's unspoken

5/ Silence is strategy
→ Sometimes the smartest play is no play
→ You don’t need to join
→ Every argument you’re invited to

6/ Allies matter more than arguments
→ Influence flows through relationships
→ The right support can move mountains quietly

7/ Information is currency
→ What you know can help, or hurt, you
→ Share wisely, not widely

8/ Your reputation moves faster than your resume
→ People talk, good or bad
→ Make sure the version of you in the room
→ Matches the one outside it

9/ Not everyone wants you to win
→ Growth triggers discomfort in others
→ Keep rising anyway

10/ Politics are unavoidable
→ It’s not dirty. It’s real.
→ Navigating power is part of leadership

Don’t ignore politics. Understand it. Then use it to protect your team and your growth.

When I was job seeking out of college my recruiter said "apply to DST last". Its the last place you want to go. Well I ignored the recruiter and went to DST. He was right. It was a poor option. Then ti have DST flub up the Cundiff/pension plan and get into a lawsuit....very bad form.

Does anyone know what the process is or have any information from their PL or HR on if folks will be allowed to move up their VSP date? A potential future employer is waiting on a date from me but my VSP date is later than expected. Appreciate any help or guidance here, thank you!

Now is the time for a general strike. ORGANIZE OFFLINE!

if someone who has been previously laid off can provide some insight, what can we expect to see?

any additional advice? I know it’s not supposed to be signed until after your separation date.

I was called by a recruiter offering me a position at fitbit division. What are your thoughts ?

Where do you start if you want to explore VR opportunities? HR?

When I started as an HVAC tech for Sears Home Services, I was hired over the phone, sight unseen, and my orientation was over zoom. Until that first video call, I was kinda thinking this was all some foreign scam to get my SSN and bank information and there was no job. I had never heard of "Transformco." Then a tow truck showed up one day and dropped off a Ford Transit van at my house, and I started getting deliveries of appliance parts and tools. They had me ride with another tech in my area for 2 weeks to train and then gave me my own routes. After that point I never saw another Sears employee again. Just me and the AI chatbot fixing washing machines all over 8 rural counties, 5 days a week. It was kind of like a scifi movie where the main character is alone on a spaceship with no one to talk to but the robot that cleans the toilet. A cool thing about the AI running everything was that if you reasoned with it a certain way, you could make it take calls off your route you didn't want to go to, or even shorten your day to end at noon.

I "called in" a lot (which is literally just a button you push in the app you have to use for your route), but as far as I could tell no one was there to keep track of or reprimand my attendance

After about a year, I got an offer for better pay and took it, and I put in my notice. Ran my last route in January of this year, and parked my van in the driveway with the keys on the seat for when they sent the tow truck. They never did, and per my state's abandoned vehicle law, I went to the courthouse to report a vehicle abandoned on my property for over 6 months, filled out a claim form and today I got the title in the mail! Outright and fee simple.
All this to say, you guys still out there working have reached the point where Lampert and the Colonel have hollowed out the company enough for it to basically be a free for all. Take advantage of the spoils while you can!

I've watched this industry chew people up for 15 years. There's a better world out there.

Looking at opportunities, and this fits a lot of what I’ve done. Looking through pages like this, I’m not sure this is the right place to move to, any advice?

Which would you have picked if you had the option? Charlotte would make sense only for commute to work and cost of living. Dallas on the other hand has lots of companies if T lays you off a year later. Both cities are new to family and kids are still in schools.

Okay gang. Which group is being run into the ground? Which should we stay far away from? Initals, dept and why. Go

With losing the employee discount it's not worth staying with verizon I need cheap and works most the time.

If you found any deals share I thing everyone would appreciate

how long does it take to cash out your 401k if you quit this place? I need it. Like let’s say you quit during pay cycle, you wait it out and get your last check the next pay period then what? Maybe take 1-3 weeks?

He promised strategic work, when reality is 80% data entry and 20% meeting notes. Should've asked better questions. I thought joining Synopsys would be a good move for my career. I sc--wed up so badly.

Anyone who thinks they are safe.. think again !!!!
I've been around corporate environments long enough to see through the bullsh-t. USAA will throw everyone under the bus the moment it's convenient for them. They'll smile to your face, send those fake "we appreciate all you did for us" emails, and talk about how much they "value" their employees. The mission moment BS before the team meetings. But the second you become even slightly inconvenient, maybe you cost them a few bucks compare to Nearshore or offshore, implemented a change which caused outage to members, or accidentally violate some ridiculous clause buried in page 67 of your contract, you're gone!. Just like that.

You don't even have to sc--w up. Business gets rough? They'll clean house faster than you can update your LinkedIn. Its happening. Very fast!!

All those people you worked late nights with, grabbed drinks with after work, considered actual friends? Yeah, they'll get the same treatment. That "we're family" garbage they love to preach? Pure BS. Families don't fire each other when qinflation is heating up or we have bunch of claims to pay or used repair cost are going up.
Your job already steals more hours from you than the people who actually matter in your life. It's probably doing more damage to your mental health than anything else you deal with day to day. And despite all that sacrifice, all those missed dinners and skipped vacations, they'd replace you in a heartbeat if it made financial sense.

So here's the reality check: Consider USAA just another employer. Your employer isn't your friend. They're not your family. They're not even particularly loyal business partners. They pay you money, you do work. That's it. The transaction ends there. Your job isn't to bleed for them or lose yourself trying to fit their mold.

Keep this in mind:
Your time with people you love matters more than any deadline
Don't let work destroy your mental health - no paycheck is worth that
Stick to who you are instead of becoming whoever they want.
Ignore the hustle culture noise, it promises everything and delivers burnout
Zero Loyalty !!!

Very good read on the consulting company McKinsey.

The book is titled “When McKinsey Comes to Town”

For those under 55 and leaving the company/severed, what do you do with your retirement money? Do you take the current commited value and convert to LIRA OR do you leave it there and take it as annuity in the future? Trying to understand your thought process and pros/cons.

“You can’t shrink your way to greatness”

• Seth Godin

Dan, you have highly competent employees, functionally adequate systems / processes / tools, a strong band, and multiple engagement points with most customers. Try reimagining the customer experience and lifting walletshare capture through the assets you have. Reducing your human capital now is just the junkie’s next fix but cannot, logically, achieve increased shareholder value. you know it, we know it.

Drain the swamp and focus on revenue. Hans had no plan!

Any one want to share about internally moving to a lateral position or higher? How is the process to tell the current manager that you want to move elsewhere ?

Why use AI .. apply human mind that is better to development more efficient than AI… human is always win ai just help on that nothing else

Does he have any responsibility as a special advisor? Specially it was hard day yesterday

After spending 25 years at Big O across multiple organizations and technologies, I feel I'm in a good position to share my perspective.

One thing many people misunderstand is how compensation works. In my experience, bonuses, salary increases, and RSU's are not automatic rewards for hard work or tenure. They depend heavily on your manager's recommendation, the leadership chain, and the budget allocated to your organization.

Even if your manager believes you deserve a significant raise, there are organizational constraints. Most teams receive a limited compensation budget, so managers often have to make difficult trade-offs. In a team of 10 people, only a small number (Read 1 or almost 2) may receive meaningful increases while everyone else gets little or nothing. That's simply how the budgeting process works.

Because of that, I've learned not to assume that working harder automatically translates into better compensation. Performance really doesn't matter a lot, but manager advocacy, organizational priorities do have their share.

At Big O, timing and organizational placement often matter as much as talent. You could have the abilities of Elon Musk, but if you're buried in an org that's five or six levels below an EVP, don't expect exceptional career growth. Realistically, you may spend years capped at something like IC4, irrespective of your performance.

The same applies to layoffs. From what I've observed over the years, layoffs are not always a pure reflection of talent or performance. Its just big fish eats small fish. One influential manager saving his and sacrificing some one else. Or its a bid. A manager will be asked how many you can get rid off. Sometimes excellent employees are affected while others remain. That's the reality of working in a large corporation.

My advice is simple: don't spend too much emotional energy trying to predict the next raise cycle or the next round of layoffs. Forums like Layoffs.com and Reddit are full of speculation, but nobody outside leadership truly knows what's going to happen.

Instead, invest in yourself. Keep your skills current, interview occasionally, build your professional network, and make sure you always have options.

One lesson that surprised me after leaving Big O was this: spending decades working on internal systems and technologies doesn't automatically translate into equivalent market value outside the company. Many of the tools, processes, and systems are unique to Big O. In many ways, you have to rebuild your external profile and prove yourself again. If you're fortunate enough to find a role using similar technologies, the transition is easier—but that's not always the case.

This is just my experience after 25 years. Others may have had very different experiences, but I hope this perspective helps someone focus on what they can control rather than worrying about what they can't.