Work environment
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
Do not worry about burning bridges with recruiters.
Recruiters do not own the relationships with employers; they are trying to sell you someone else's bridge. By the time you look again, they will not care about the past response.
one person who lived it
Coordinate with friends who call from random numbers to establish which area codes, days, and times they will not call.
This allows you to safely send calls during those hours to voicemail.
one person who lived it
Avoid downgrading or scaling down your achievement, as this can indirectly insult the complimenter.
Downgrading the feat puts them down because they may wonder why they couldn't do something so easy.
one person who lived it
Politely interrupt recruiters who continue pitching by stating you have recently taken a new role and thanking them for the call.
It keeps you in good standing with the recruitment company for potential future contact.
one person who lived it
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Decide to stop working during breaks because it leads to inedible meals.
Working during breaks regularly leads to cold or inedible meals.
one person who lived it
Avoid making excuses when receiving a compliment.
There is no need to make excuses.
one person who lived it
Ignore recruiters who cold-call without prior consent or email introduction.
Such behavior is inefficient and suboptimal, indicating low quality.
one person who lived it
Assign different ringtones for contacts saved as family or friends.
This distinguishes them from unknown numbers.
one person who lived it