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Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

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Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#31

Post by spraak »

axaxs wrote: post #19
asafira wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of curiosity, why do you think the interview process is a good indicator of how things would be like within the company? I feel like there must be a lot of variance there --- what if the engineer(s) you were with are bad interviewers? What if it wsa a bad day? What if it was a bad time to interview?

Eh... I'll try. I don't want to name any names or show spite. One company, the process was a mess. The recruiter I worked with was fired in the process, which took a few days to sort out. It had many rounds of interviews, each expecting me to purchase material to study. One interview was absurdly bad, one of those 'well, that's not what it says on my paper' types. One interview the interviewer seemed almost condescen…

What happened in the interview where you owed money? I've never heard of anything like that

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#33

Post by axaxs »

spraak wrote: post #31
axaxs wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh... I'll try. I don't want to name any names or show spite. One company, the process was a mess. The recruiter I worked with was fired in the process, which took a few days to sort out. It had many rounds of interviews, each expecting me to purchase material to study. One interview was absurdly bad, one of those 'well, that's not what it says on my paper' types. One interview the interviewer seemed almost condescen…

What happened in the interview where you owed money? I've never heard of anything like that

I was given the hotel to stay at, and directions that I didn't need a rental car just to use a taxi or uber/lyft. In my city I've had bad experiences with Uber, so asked the hotel to arrange a taxi for my interview needs. It was a small SUV. The driver was nice, knew the company I was interviewing at, said he does these interviews all day, knew exactly where to go, was waved in by security and knew exactly where to drop me off. Three rides, plus tip, was a bit expensive, but I figured hey it's the bay area. It was a good distance from the airport. Although my receipt was basic, it listed a taxi company. The company I interviewed for told me it's not a real taxi company but a private driver service and they will not pay it.

Actually, typing this again made me a bit mad. It was Facebook, who spent the majority of my free day there showing me all the lavish offerings. I actually really liked the people there I met, well most of them. I was very upset by the message they had sent me. I am but a clueless guy from the midwest. They picked the hotel and said get a taxi. I asked the hotel if they'd help with a taxi, and they took care of it. How am I to know it's not a real taxi company?

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#35

Post by ilikehurdles »

orky56 wrote: post #3

Google provides immediate brand recognition that shows future employers that you've achieved a certain level success and/or are capable enough to get in. In addition, Google pays very well and offers equity that has a tangible value since they are already public, highly stable, and still have some growth in their future. Having Google early in your career allows you to then seek future opportunities having some money…

I wish I received this kind of advice when I was younger and in college.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#36

Post by alfredallan1 »

KaoruAoiShiho wrote: post #26

Rethink "corporate career", absolutely insane, especially for an asian american with the bamboo ceiling. You are harming your own prospects. Do what is in your best interests and go work for a company where you're an exec from the beginning: http://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/...

That somehow seems like a tenuous argument, especially when talking about tech companies, when one looks at examples like Satya Nadella (MS) and Sundar Pichai (Google) who’re both Asian - and 1st generation at that. In the case of FMCG type companies, I’d actually agree with you, but in tech the evidence indicates otherwise.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#37

Post by tranchms »

Work at the biggest and best company you can, with the best position you can get hired for.

There is invaluable brand capital, and the network is priceless.

It’s the same rationale between choosing colleges.

I attended a top 14 university. I have instant respect and credibility.

I currently work for a massive global technology company. I have instant respect and credibility.

Do I ask for it? No. Is it warranted more than the next guy? I don’t think so.

If you work for a smaller company, with a smaller name, you are limiting the network you can leverage, in size and industry.

Brand capital. Signaling. Status. It’s a game, and there are gatekeepers. And it all depends on how you want to play it.

Doesn’t matter what I studied at college. I went to a good college. People think I’m smart.

Doesn’t matter what my position is. I work for a reputable global company. People think I’m successful.

I would recommend putting the work in and playing the game early in your career before you jump to smaller ventures, and take risks working at companies with limited track records and speculative futures.

I scour LinkedIn and pay attention to the work histories of people I respect and admire, and have achieved the success I desire.

There is a pattern.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#38

Post by skybrian »

tranchms wrote: post #37

Work at the biggest and best company you can, with the best position you can get hired for. There is invaluable brand capital, and the network is priceless. It’s the same rationale between choosing colleges. I attended a top 14 university. I have instant respect and credibility. I currently work for a massive global technology company. I have instant respect and credibility. Do I ask for it? No. Is it warranted more…

Are you a programmer? This isn't how any of the programmers I know judge things. (The college part, anyway.)

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#39

Post by marcja »

castratikron wrote: post #29
jpm_sd wrote: post #27

Having worked at both, I'd recommend Google for a couple of years, then GTFO. You'll get massively overpaid (save your money!) and you'll learn some useful stuff. But it's a chaotic mess, the employees are spoiled, and you'll never become a real grown-up if you stay there long term. Looks great on your resume, though.

I've interviewed there and my impression was that the average employee was very young, straight out of college. When I was there I was 27 and I felt slightly old.

I am 45 and I definitely feel* closer to the median at Google than to the eldest extreme.

*Note that I can't back this up with actual statistics. I'm just saying that I don't feel anywhere close to a graybeard elder at Google at age 45.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#40

Post by tranchms »

skybrian wrote: post #38
tranchms wrote: post #37

Work at the biggest and best company you can, with the best position you can get hired for. There is invaluable brand capital, and the network is priceless. It’s the same rationale between choosing colleges. I attended a top 14 university. I have instant respect and credibility. I currently work for a massive global technology company. I have instant respect and credibility. Do I ask for it? No. Is it warranted more…

Are you a programmer? This isn't how any of the programmers I know judge things. (The college part, anyway.)

Sales engineer. Not a programmer.
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