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Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

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Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#11

Post by orky56 »

atmosx wrote: post #4
dozzie wrote: post #2

First, working in Google, Facebook, Amazon, or Twitter is overrated more likely than not. Remember that. You don't really need to work in a big company to have fulfilling job that allows you to grow professionally and pays decently. (Don't be greedy.) Second, remember that interviewing is both way lane. It's not only a way for employer to assess candidate, it's a way for a candidate to assess the potential employer.…

Offtopic: The 4th big is twitter? I thought it was Microsoft. I also thought that there are at least a dozen companies above twitter as far big goes in any possible sense (revenue, salaries, dev happiness, etc.).

The top companies by market cap today are:

1. Apple 2. Alphabet 3. Microsoft 4. Berkshire Hathaway 5. Exxon Mobile 6. Amazon 7. Facebook

If we're going by impact on tech, opportunities for software development, etc., it could potentially be different.

http://dogsofthedow.com/largest-companies-by-market-cap.htm

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#12

Post by jrnichols »

wprapido wrote: post #9

just avoid them. you really don't need to work for the big 4 in order to have a fulfilling job and/or make good money. also you can avoid steve jobs wanna be employers and execs. we are lucky enough that our industry provides lots of diversity and we can be picky

I think that his point is that so many of the non big-4 places are trying to mimic their hiring practices, and that's what the OP is wanting to go away.

I'm inclined to agree with the OP. Not every employer is going to be Google/Facebook/etc, so they shouldn't try to hire like they are already.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#13

Post by freestockoption »

I've worked in some big names in tech. What I do notice is that sometimes people go into these companies thinking they've made it and that they will just naturally grow due to being at a big name co.

I've realized that most companies are similar and opportunities don't just fall into your lap. Want a low growth job fixing bugs for 10 years? You can probably get that at Google (or pretty much anywhere). Want a job where you can develop the next big feature in Android? You can probably make that happen, too.

If you want the latter, don't just sit there, fall into a routine, and fix bugs all day thinking that one day a VP will knock on your door asking you to be a Software Architect. Don't become complacent.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#14

Post by regulation_d »

pyb wrote: post #8
atmosx wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Offtopic: The 4th big is twitter? I thought it was Microsoft. I also thought that there are at least a dozen companies above twitter as far big goes in any possible sense (revenue, salaries, dev happiness, etc.).

There is not a 'big 4' in tech, despite increasingly widespread use of the term.

right? I was like, "hmm, I guess we're talking about accounting firms today on HN. oh wait. wat."

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#15

Post by dman »

mrits wrote: post #7

I have super flexible hours. A private office looking over Austin's green belt. Free lunch. Ability to go to any conferences I want. With my salary I can live just about anywhere I want in the city. Why the hell would I want to work for a huge "big 4" ?

Where do you work?

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#16

Post by ljk »

freestockoption wrote: post #13

I've worked in some big names in tech. What I do notice is that sometimes people go into these companies thinking they've made it and that they will just naturally grow due to being at a big name co. I've realized that most companies are similar and opportunities don't just fall into your lap. Want a low growth job fixing bugs for 10 years? You can probably get that at Google (or pretty much anywhere). Want a job whe…

> Don't become complacent.

See this advice a lot, are there any tips on this? make more to-do list? set goals?(how to know if goal is too high instead of myself being too lazy? etc)

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#17

Post by wry_discontent »

mrits wrote: post #7

I have super flexible hours. A private office looking over Austin's green belt. Free lunch. Ability to go to any conferences I want. With my salary I can live just about anywhere I want in the city. Why the hell would I want to work for a huge "big 4" ?

Are you hiring?

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to fight back against the “big 4” hiring fads?

#19

Post by wprapido »

jrnichols wrote: post #12
wprapido wrote: post #9

just avoid them. you really don't need to work for the big 4 in order to have a fulfilling job and/or make good money. also you can avoid steve jobs wanna be employers and execs. we are lucky enough that our industry provides lots of diversity and we can be picky

I think that his point is that so many of the non big-4 places are trying to mimic their hiring practices, and that's what the OP is wanting to go away. I'm inclined to agree with the OP. Not every employer is going to be Google/Facebook/etc, so they shouldn't try to hire like they are already.

avoid them, too
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