u/PenVegetable4065

Hi! I applied to a position and the recruiter who helped me get my last contract role there sent me directly into round 2 with the HM. It went well and I’m headed to round 3 panel interview next week. From there, it’s a test and then a final interview with the VP. I have a good shot, have previously crossed paths with most people on the interview panel (even if they don’t know/remember me) and it is my number one role. HM said they hope to fill the role by August 1 and if not, somewhere around then.

Two things I’m wondering at this stage:

1. Should I tell the recruiter that I’m actively having other conversations/involved in other interview processes but want to prioritize interviewing for this role? I’ve seen people speed things up.. I wonder what she can share with me in terms of behind the scenes and where I really rank as a candidate for this interview process.

2. Since I’m connected to this recruiter from the last time I was employed there, she moved me to round 2 vs. a screening so we didn’t discuss compensation at all. I’m looking for a number on the higher end of the range they’re offering. Should I let her know now? I don’t want to come across as being focused on salary. Usually, they move folks ahead that they know they can afford, right? But my number is just the highest end of the range.. so from what I understand, that’s a number they have available.

I just don’t want them to count me out if I communicate ahead that I want to prioritize this role and I’m looking for the highest number if they’re just going to go with someone who is asking for a cheaper number and can do what I can do and is willing to be flexible with their timeline.

I've been trying to find a sweet romance novel with a shy/introverted, black FMC. Something really heartwarming.

If there is any novel like that, I would read it in a heartbeat! I've noticed that I haven't read any cozy romance books before, so I wanted to start here!

Found a Black Samsung phone this morning in front of a house on Hoit Street in Carroll Gardens at 9am.

Please reach out via DM me if you are looking or know anyone looking for it. Just wanna return it

I know that’s hyper-specific but I’m on the search for the very core concept featuring a character who gets distracted by something that takes up way too much time and attention from work or a project, potentially affecting mental health.

Think like “We Don’t Talk About Carol” by Kristen L. Berry but definitely not dark!

A plus if it has anything to do with anything related to writing/literature/creative or inner child interests!

Happy Friday all! I’m looking for beta readers; so I hope this is allowed to be posted here as I recently found this space and am so glad it exists! 🤎

My upper middle grade book is nearly complete at 44K words entitled Alice Is Almost Everything, focusing on a young Black overachiever in Boston. I plan to query it to agents in the fall, but here’s what I’ve shared the book about so far:

14-year-old Alice thinks she’s invincible.

With freshman year at McIntyre Prep — her chosen straight-shot pathway to Harvard — on the horizon and family drama shaping her summer, Alice is determined to prove she can handle anything and everything thrown her way. Even her parent’s divorce.

Her parents have given Alice the irreplaceable responsibility she’s been waiting for: being in charge of the house, her two younger sisters and — they even throw in a bright red betta fish named Flash for a middle school graduation/divorce-sympathy present…or even more responsibility, depending on who you ask.

Alice learns — the hard way — that she can work hard to do everything right, and it still won’t bring her parents back together, keep Flash healthy or control what she believes is a perfect track record of readiness to be an adult, let alone get her into Harvard.

The story follows her summer before high school. It takes place in Boston.

~

I’ll be revising the current draft I’m working on over the next week or so and while I’m at 39K now, I anticipate it will be no more than 44K when I’m done.

But voice, character, subtle Black cultural beats, local Boston scenery, family role, pacing/order of events, Alice’s main problem and whether or not it gets resolved in a way that is satisfying to readers are all things I’d like eyes on in the beta reading process.

If you’re interested in providing thoughts and feedback, lmk and I can reach out. 🙂 Thank youuu!

I’m curious. Besides Ms. Rachel, who do you pay attention on social platforms that offer realistic representation to your parenting journey or your kids’ education in today’s climate?

Are any of you influencers? Curious about what made you want to become one.

I also don’t see too many dadfluencers; I saw a few this past weekend taking their kids going to Toy Story 5 for Father’s Day which sparked this question.

I’m curious. Besides Ms. Rachel, who do you pay attention on social platforms that offer substantial/accurate representation to today’s classroom climate? Are there any active classroom teachers that also are influencers?

My upper middle grade book is nearly complete at 44K words entitled Alice Is Almost Everything.

14-year-old Alice thinks she’s invincible.

With freshman year at McIntyre Prep — her chosen straight-shot pathway to Harvard — on the horizon and family drama shaping her summer, Alice is determined to prove she can handle anything and everything thrown her way. Even her parent’s divorce.

Her parents have given Alice the irreplaceable responsibility she’s been waiting for: being in charge of the house, her two younger sisters and — they even throw in a bright red betta fish named Flash for a middle school graduation/divorce-sympathy present…or even more responsibility, depending on who you ask.

Alice learns — the hard way — that she can work hard to do everything right, and it still won’t bring her parents back together, keep Flash healthy or control what she believes is a perfect track record of readiness to be an adult, let alone get her into Harvard.

The story follows her summer before high school.

~

I’ll be revising the current draft I’m working on over the next week or so and at 39K, I anticipate it will be no more than 44K when I’m done.

But voice, character, subtle cultural beats, local Boston scenery, family role, pacing/order of events, Alice’s main problem and whether or not it gets resolved in a way that is satisfying to readers are all things I’d like eyes on in the beta reading process.

I’d like for readers to have submitted thoughts and feedback by August 7. If you’re interested in providing thoughts and feedback, please comment below. I can message you directly in the upcoming weeks. :) Thanks!

I am able to beta read picture books at this time and will be able to review middle grade books toward the end of the summer as I am beta reading multiple manuscripts for right now.

Because I have been looking for a pair just like those! I’ll take any dupes!! Thank you :)

Hi there! When applying to companies like Netflix or Microsoft, or even sports teams like the Lakers, what does your resume/cover letter absolutely HAVE to have? Does it differ from less-popular brands like a community college? What is that difference?

I know hundreds to thousands of people are applying to jobs right now and so many people are following up with the hiring managers and even some recruiters. But what does the application need in order to get flagged when recruiters are looking for applicants?

I’ve heard, and someone can debunk this myth, that some folks just literally work from the people who reach out to them and don’t even look at the ATS system at larger companies so if you aren’t able to find a connection, you’re screwed.

I saw a recent recruiter do an AMA and talk about the timing of application and how some folks will never get their applications read due to the timing in which they apply or people trying so hard to beat the ATS system, and everyone’s resumes looks desirable. Like if that’s the case, how tf does it work, let alone at a big brand?

I don’t even know, and maybe this depends on how quickly the hiring manager is moving on a role, but long a candidate should be waiting to hear back either way — especially at a larger company?

Recruiters have a really unique role to pull a person that could literally make or break a brand. It’s not easy work and I recognize that. I guess I’m just wondering about the mechanics of it in a job market like this as someone who is just trying to experience career growth and wants to follow the right steps.

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!

My brother is graduating from HS soon and my family is experiencing a trying time. It’s just got me thinking about a lot about how graduation is supposed to be celebratory, but for a lot of us, it’s a trying transition for a number of reasons.

I understand those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes. I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018.

If you graduated during a heavy season of life: Who was your speaker, what did they say and why did those words resonate beyond your graduation date? Was it a well-known person? Are you able to re-watch it or would you if you had the chance?

A lot of people have forgotten theirs, which is totally fair! But I'm specifically looking for the folks who were going through it during graduation and a speaker actually met you in that dark place. I would love to hear your story about why/how it resonated so deeply! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!

My brother is graduating from HS soon and my family is experiencing a trying time. It’s just got me thinking about about how graduation is supposed to be celebratory, but for a lot of us, it’s a terrifying or trying transition for a number of reasons.

I understand those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes. I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018.

If you graduated during a pivotal, heavy or traumatic season of life: Who was your speaker, what did they say and why did those words resonate beyond your graduation date? Was it a well-known person? Are you able to re-watch it or would you if you had the chance?

A lot of people have forgotten theirs, which is totally fair! But I'm specifically looking for the folks who were going through it during graduation — dealing with grief, trauma or massive anxiety — and a speaker actually met you in that dark place. I would love to hear your story about why/how it resonated so deeply! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!

My brother is graduating from HS soon and my family is experiencing a trying time. It’s just got me thinking about how graduation is supposed to be celebratory, but for a lot of us, it’s a terrifying or trying transition for a number of reasons.

I understand those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes. I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s 2018 speech at Howard University that my teacher had us seniors watch before our HS graduation ceremony days later.

If you graduated during a pivotal, heavy or traumatic season of life: Who was your speaker, what did they say and why did those words resonate beyond your graduation date? Was it a well-known person? Are you able to re-watch it or would you if you had the chance?

A lot of people have forgotten theirs, which is totally fair! But I'm specifically looking for the folks who were going through it during graduation — dealing with grief, trauma or massive anxiety — and a speaker actually met you in that dark place. I would love to hear your story about why/how it resonated so deeply! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!

My brother is graduating soon from HS and it’s got me thinking about how graduation is supposed to be celebratory, but for a lot of us, it’s a terrifying or trying transition for a number of reasons.

I understand those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes. I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018. And I gave a middle school speech but I don’t remember anything from it. Lol.

If you graduated during a pivotal, heavy or traumatic season of life: Who was your speaker, what did they say and why did those words resonate beyond your graduation date? Was it a well-known person? Are you able to re-watch it or would you if you had the chance?

A lot of people have forgotten theirs, which is totally fair! But I'm specifically looking for the folks who were going through it during graduation — dealing with grief, trauma or massive anxiety — and a speaker actually met you in that dark place. I would love to hear your story about why/how it resonated so deeply! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!

I am DC native, and my brother is graduating from HS soon as my family is experiencing a trying time. It’s just got me thinking about how graduation is supposed to be celebratory, but for a lot of us, it’s a terrifying or trying transition for a number of reasons.

I understand those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes. I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s — it made me mad I didn’t choose HU if its community were being poured into in such a special way. But it made me happy that it happened in DC!!

If you graduated during a pivotal, heavy or traumatic season of life: Who was your speaker, what did they say and why did those words resonate beyond your graduation date? Was it a well-known person? Are you able to re-watch it or would you if you had the chance?

A lot of people have forgotten theirs, which is totally fair! But I'm specifically looking for the folks who were going through it during graduation — dealing with grief, trauma or massive anxiety — and a speaker actually met you in that dark place. I would love to hear your story about why/how it resonated so deeply! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!

My brother is graduating soon and my family is experiencing a trying time. It’s just got me thinking about a lot. Graduation is supposed to be celebratory, but for a lot of us, it’s a terrifying or trying transition for a number of reasons.

I understand those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes. I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018.

If you graduated during a pivotal, heavy or traumatic season of life: Who was your speaker, what did they say and why did those words resonate beyond your graduation date? Was it a well-known person? Are you able to re-watch it or would you if you had the chance?

A lot of people have forgotten theirs, which is totally fair! But I'm specifically looking for the folks who were going through it during graduation — dealing with grief, trauma or massive anxiety — and a speaker actually met you in that dark place. I would love to hear your story about why/how it resonated so deeply! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!

My brother is graduating soon and my family is experiencing a trying time. It’s just got me thinking about a lot. Graduation is supposed to be celebratory, but for a lot of us, it’s a terrifying or trying transition for a number of reasons.

I understand those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes. I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018.

If you graduated during a pivotal, heavy, or traumatic season of life: Who was your speaker, what did they say and why did those words resonate beyond your graduation date? Was it a well-known person? Are you able to re-watch it or would you if you had the chance?

A lot of people have forgotten theirs, which is totally fair! But I'm specifically looking for the folks who were going through it during graduation — dealing with grief, trauma or massive anxiety — and a speaker actually met you in that dark place. I would love to hear your story about why/how it resonated beyond your graduation date! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!!

Graduating can be a trying transition, sometimes scary/stressful. People lose loved ones, are unsure about the next step, experienced trauma in that senior year or over their academic journey… those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes.

I’m just so curious about those who were really impacted by their commencement address and those who may remember their speaker?

Was it a well-known person? Did you hold onto their advice/words? Are you able to re-watch it, or would you if you had the chance? I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018.

But I want to hear your story about why it resonated beyond your graduation date! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!!

Graduating can be a trying transition, sometimes sad/scary/stressful. People lose loved ones, are unsure about the next step, experienced trauma in that senior year or over their academic journey… those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes.

I unfortunately don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018.

I’m just so curious about those who were really impacted by their commencement address and those who may remember their speaker?

Was it a well-known person? Did you hold onto their advice/words? Are you able to re-watch it, or would you if you had the chance? Did any affect your career as a teacher?

I wonder how these speeches resonate with students overall. I’d love to hear your take, but also your experiences about maybe why yours resonated beyond your graduation date! 🙇🏽‍♀️

Happy graduation season and congrats to the class of 2026!!

Graduating can be a trying transition, sometimes scary/stressful. People lose loved ones, are unsure about the next step, experienced trauma in that senior year or over their academic journey… those speeches can really do more than I believe the speaker realizes.

I’m just so curious about those who were really impacted by their commencement address and those who may remember their speaker?

Was it a well-known person? Did you hold onto their advice/words? Are you able to re-watch it, or would you if you had the chance? I don’t remember too much from mine, but one I think about multiple times over the years is Chadwick Boseman’s at Howard University. I believe it was from 2018.

But I want to hear your story about why it resonated beyond your graduation date! 🙇🏽‍♀️