Shiv Mishra

Not a 'thought leader'. Not a LinkedIn influencer. Just someone who's been in tech long enough to have opinions and low enough patience to share them. No content calendar here—I write when I'm bored, frustrated, or when someone's bullshit finally crosses my threshold. If that sounds useful, stick around.

Coverage focus: Indian tech careers, compensation systems, and risk trade-offs.


Career StrategyJanuary 2026

The Work-Life Balance Lie: What High Performers Don't Tell You

"Work-life balance" is the promised goal. Leave at 6 PM, don't check email on weekends, take all your vacation days. …

Career StrategyJanuary 2026

HR Conversations That Actually Matter (And Ones That Don't)

HR is supposed to help you. They manage your career development, handle compensation discussions, resolve conflicts, and ensure the workplace …

Career StrategyJanuary 2026

Why Job Hopping Stops Working After 35

Job hopping is the career accelerator of the 2010s and 2020s. Stay 2-3 years, get a 30-50% raise, repeat. LinkedIn …

Software EngineeringJanuary 2026

The Tech Lead Trap: Responsibility Without Authority

Getting the "Tech Lead" title feels like a promotion. Finally, recognition for your technical excellence. You're now leading a team, …

Software EngineeringJanuary 2026

The Senior Developer Ceiling: Why Salaries Plateau at ₹40 LPA

When you start as a developer, the trajectory seems clear. Junior to Mid to Senior to Staff to Principal. Each …

Career StrategyJanuary 2026

Why 'Networking' Doesn't Work the Way You're Told

Career advice is obsessed with networking. "Your network is your net worth." "80% of jobs come through connections." "It's not …

Career StrategyJanuary 2026

The Manager vs IC Reality: Which Path Actually Pays in India?

The career advice usually frames it as a simple choice: Manager Track: Lead people, get promoted to Director, VP, eventually …

Money RealityJanuary 2026

The Remote Work Salary Trap: When Geographic Arbitrage Cuts Both Ways

The promise of remote work for foreign companies seemed like a cheat code: Earn $80-150K while living in India. Save …

Software EngineeringJanuary 2026

The American Dream Indian Engineers Are Still Chasing — and Why It’s Getting Harder

The playbook has been unchanged since 2010: Take a 40 Lakh loan. Do an MS in CS from a Tier-2 …

Author page reviewed: February 22, 2026

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