Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

91–99 of 99 posts

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#91

Post by oliver47 »

That's strange on so many levels. 1. What do they mean by "Nothing we could do about that". I have some experience working in big multicontinental companies and they handle this kind of stuff every day. There are special people whos specialty is to prevent false accusations of the employees, stupid rumors and stuff like that 2. I didn't get the part where you tell us that you will not get the reference. If the CEO did not believe that it was you why did he not give you a good credential? 3. Maybe this is just a stupid rumor that started from nothing and goes nowhere (these things happen every time and in the end, everyone is forgetting about them ) It did not sound like they started a self-investigation ( what they should do by the way ) 4. If you worked for the company for so long why there is no one to back you up?

I the end everything that I have to say is that you can totally use some online services like https://resumecvwriter.com/free-resume-review to help you with your resume. I know it not exactly what you are looking for right now but you probably need all the help you can get. Good luck man

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#92

Post by gdy »

craftinator wrote: post #86
gdy wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"As a hiring manager myself I really hate it when candidates slag off their current/former employeer. It's a real put off. However if you can turn a negative experience into a positive then it shows that you're not just bitter and/or a bad team player but rather that you use all experiences to help enhance your capabilities as a productive employee." What's wrong with being bitter when you are wronged by your manager…

Not bad-mouthing a former employer shows much more class. I'm interested in hiring someone who can take the world as it is, turn disadvantage in advantage, and keep a positive outlook on tough situations. It also shows that they have good communication skills. Example: "my last employer screwed me and it was an awful place to work." vs "my last job taught me a lot about the pros and cons of workplace culture, which i…

Well, the GP comments says 'don't hide them either' and I suppose it implies answering to the question about leaving previous job.

The first answer in your example is honest, the second one, while technically true, triggers my bullshit detector.

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#93

Post by ohyes »

gdy wrote: post #68
taberiand wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost (and hopefully more than the other people they're comparing you against). Being bitter about past employers is a sure fire way to fail an interview (from my personal experience) because a mopey employee is a poor performer, but it's also a lame way to go through lif…

"The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost" Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? What I don't like is presumption that a conflict at previous job is an employee's fault. Quite a long time ago, when I used to work for a local compa…

I mean, it’s like asking someone “How are you?” And them going into detail about their spastic colon.

In a interview you’re trying to paint the best possible picture of yourself, anything that detracts from that is wasted effort. Why would y’all talk about your shitty previous employer when we can talk about something else that is interesting.

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#94

Post by blaser-waffle »

gdy wrote: post #68
taberiand wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost (and hopefully more than the other people they're comparing you against). Being bitter about past employers is a sure fire way to fail an interview (from my personal experience) because a mopey employee is a poor performer, but it's also a lame way to go through lif…

"The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost" Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? What I don't like is presumption that a conflict at previous job is an employee's fault. Quite a long time ago, when I used to work for a local compa…

> Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills?

As a hiring type, I absolutely want to know why, in your words, you left. I also want to see how that lines up with what your references and what former HR people say, and possibly even compare that to something like Glassdoor reviews (if you're a strong candidate, mind you).

It is important. I want to see how they describe the situation they're leaving/left because it allows me to evaluate their ability to comprehend and communicate social/political/team dynamics. Statistically you're not staying with us longer than five (5) years, which means at some point you're going to have to explain why you left me -- and I don't feel like dealing with a shit talker.

Plus an honest, direct answer is different from being blunt. I need workers who are willing to tell me direct, honest truths sometimes.

I.E. "I never really clicked with the team, and found I was struggling personally and professionally to keep up with their changing demands,"

vs.

"They were elitist assholes who changed things on a whim because they thought they were fucking geniuses".

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#95

Post by blaser-waffle »

_u844 wrote: post #43

Op here, Thanks for all the advice, its honestly be helpfull and eye opening. To clear up a few things. - The comments from the ceo were via text and more "I would of called you if i thought you did something" and "ill talk to them but I dont know what more I can do". TBH I was angry and not exactly cordial in my communication. - From what I understand the "hack" wasn't my credentials but someone logging in near wher…

> - In terms of defamation apparently certain individuals though it be funny to take where I live and put it up on one of the system monitoring screens for the whole company to see. Currently I am seeking counsel to both protect my self and see if this action is something that is worth responding to.

Your lawyer will probably want to handle all communication from here on out. I'd also stop posting stuff about the case in a public forum, and possibly start deleting this. Your lawyer will have specific recommendations.

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#97

Post by monoideism »

x0x0 wrote: post #62
dman wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

#3 can also backfire badly. Personally I would avoid it.

If it's going to come up, either via references provided by the employee or via a backchannel, you're smarter to directly address it in the interview with the hiring manager. At least that way the hiring manager hears your side of the story too. We hired someone who came within a hair of (deservedly) being charged with a felony by the FBI. He basically said he did something stupid 10 years ago, had learned a lesson,…

> within a hair of (deservedly) being charged with a felony by the FBI. He basically said he did something stupid 10 years ago, had learned a lesson, made amends, etc

Was it a work-related alleged offense? If not, sounds a little extreme to not hire someone because of an allegation that happened 10 years ago that they weren't even charged with.

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#98

Post by gdy »

blaser-waffle wrote: post #94
gdy wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost" Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? What I don't like is presumption that a conflict at previous job is an employee's fault. Quite a long time ago, when I used to work for a local compa…

> Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? As a hiring type, I absolutely want to know why, in your words, you left. I also want to see how that lines up with what your references and what former HR people say, and possibly even compare that to something like Glassdoor reviews (if you're a strong candidate, mind you). It is important. I want to…

And I agree with all that.

What I don't like is presumption that an applicant who gives the first kind of answer, is a bad team player and if he doesn't put the blame on himself he is 'bitter' (which is bad).

Re: Ask HN: Ex-Employer gossiping I “hacked” their platform – what to do?

#99

Post by gdy »

ohyes wrote: post #93
gdy wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The company doesn't care about you and your sad sack stories, it's not your therapist. All it wants to know is if you'll produce more value than you cost" Then maybe it shouldn't ask questions like 'why have you quit your previous job?' and focus on applicant's skills? What I don't like is presumption that a conflict at previous job is an employee's fault. Quite a long time ago, when I used to work for a local compa…

I mean, it’s like asking someone “How are you?” And them going into detail about their spastic colon. In a interview you’re trying to paint the best possible picture of yourself, anything that detracts from that is wasted effort. Why would y’all talk about your shitty previous employer when we can talk about something else that is interesting.

I don't think you can treat that question like 'how are you'. Otherwise I agree with you.
Post reply on HN