From OpenAI's RLHF paper[1]: "By default, when we train a PPO model on our API distribution, it suffers from an “alignment tax”, as its performance on several public NLP datasets decreases." On the HELM[2] site, you can see accuracy benchmarks for InstructGPT <OpenAI model> vs baseline models. The InstructGPT models perform worse on a lot of benchmarks.
It's the "alignment tax". From OpenAI's RLHF paper[1]: "By default, when we train a PPO model on our API distribution, it suffers from an “alignment tax”, as its performance on several public NLP datasets decreases." On the HELM[2] site, you can see accuracy benchmarks for InstructGPT <OpenAI model> vs baseline models. The InstructGPT models perform worse on a lot of benchmarks.
You don't have to care about your job. Most people have about four good hours of work in them. Just do your four hours, and take the rest of the day off. No job is worth burnout.
You should find a 100% remote job. If other people are there full time, but you're only there 0-2 days a week, you're never going to be that close with them. You said you're happy when you're at home, but going into the office makes you anxious. So you shouldn't have an issue working at home full time.
David Heinemeier Hansson gave a great talk on air quality and touched upon various HVAC systems. One thing that really stuck out, was his claim that you need 80 CFM per person per room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRqh8oLY7Ik
Have you thought about installing a screen door in your bedroom? You could also look into reinforcing it with chicken wire or hail cloth to keep the cat out.
If you're entry-level and don't have a network, certs help you get through the HR filter. Once you're mid-level, you can use your network and experience.
Each moment of silence makes the interviewee feel more tense. Instead of staring at them, why not leave the room while they read through the code and collect their thoughts?
You could even have HR do it. When they arrive, HR hands them the code and instructions. Then, they read it for 15 minutes, until you walk in.