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Interview Tips & Stories

I have an interview scheduled with JPMorgan Chase for SDET-3 position.
Can someone from JPMC tell me more about the position? I wanted to know about the Job grade falling under this position, and what's the salary range to ask for this position.

Also, if someone can share some tips on interview rounds and questions, that would be very helpful!

SDET-3 at JPMC

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Career Advice

I spent 4 years getting an engineering degree. Then 3 more years building “corporate experience.”
Learned Python, Java, debugged more issues than I’ve had hot meals.

And guess what I earn?🥲

25K a month.
Yes, a whole 25,000 shiny rupees to be a glorified Google searcher who knows how to “fix backend issues.”

Meanwhile, YouTubers making “A Day in My Life” vlogs with 3 cuts and a cringe transition are pulling in lakhs per month. Just because they can say “Hi guys, welcome back to my channel ☕.”

Did I choose the wrong career? Or the wrong country? Or the wrong life?
(Asking for a broke, overworked friend. And for myself.)

Does tech even pay in India anymore? Or is entertainment the only profitable industry left?

Did I choose the wrong career? Or the wrong country? Or the wrong life?

From penny-pinching to investing, let's talk money moves that would make Warren Buffett proud.

Personal Finance

On paper, it sounds like a dream 25 lakhs per annum. But after taxes, rent in metros, EMIs, family support, and lifestyle inflation, how much are you really “keeping”?

We glamorise CTC numbers without looking at what they mean month-to-month. A 25 lpa package could leave you with less breathing room than someone earning 15 lpa with smart planning and fewer liabilities.

So maybe it’s time to stop judging financial success purely by income. What matters more: your CTC or your peace of mind at the end of each month?

Is a 25lpa salary really “rich” anymore?

One thing I’ve personally learned is that it’s really important not to overtalk during interviews. Once you cross that line, you unknowingly start oversharing. And we often forget that interviewers are actively listening to every single word  not just casually nodding.

In one of my interviews, the person was super friendly, and I got too comfortable. I ended up talking openly about some of my weaknesses… and guess what? He used that against me later. 
So yeah, be mindful of what and how much you share, even if the vibe feels chill.

Avoid overtalking in interviews speaking from experience

I work in Nagarro as a Software Engineer.
It's been a little more than 2 years since I joined as a fresher. Salary hikes are not impressive. Trash projects, nobody knows where the company is going. I've been working with really bad liars for the past 2 years. Everyone in this company seems to be treating it as their retirement plan because they offer work from home.

I work on python automation POCs and my team is one of those "Agile" ones with no direction. It can be renamed as "Team ADHD". Their plans change every 4 hours and none of them are engineers, they are consultants (manchilds or scammers would be a good word).

I'm also not able to get other job offers, Hardly got 2 interviews after hundreds of applications across multiple platforms. I do see other people getting better roles in better companies. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'm attaching *one of my resumes* in case someone wants to help me out.

Not sure if I should continue

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Career Growth

I always believed a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) was meant to help an employee grow. But reality hit differently.

Some were put on a PIP without any prior warnings, no clear expectations, and no proper guidance. It felt less like a performance correction and more like a personal vendetta. The same managers who failed to support or understand challenges were quick to question, criticize, and push into PIP mode — just to show power or settle scores.

Performance issues should be handled with constructive feedback and mentorship. But in some companies, especially under insecure leadership, PIP becomes a silent weapon to corner individuals or force resignations.