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Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

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Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#1

Post by ankitkumar98 »

Hi,

This is something I have been generally excited by. What kind of companies do people find fascinating and really want to work for?

For me, I have 4 companies in mind

- Stripe because I am fascinated by it - Pioneer[pioneer.app] because they are building a search engine for Lost Einsteins - Substack because they will create more solopreneurs than ever - Figma because they are going to be the GitHub of Design. I was a kid when they started and took over the world. Figma is the next thing.

Which companies do you work at & why?

Re: Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#2

Post by quickthrower2 »

Honestly, I am not lured by any particular company based on what it does or it's image or even it's culture. Because a company does X, it doesn't mean my job at that company will be good. Also there might be super interesting roles hiding in boring looking companies, like for example a pension company or a staple manufacturer.

However to answer the question as best as I can, doing a CS PhD would be the most exciting thing - especially in those moonlight months at the beginning when you are exploring the space and learning. Maybe less so when writing the dissertation!

Re: Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#3

Post by patatino »

I wanna work at a company that:

- pays me a lot

- allows me to work from home

- does not expect me to read emails or anything in my free time (of course in special cases that's ok, just not the standard)

- has other employers I can learn from

That's it! I don't fancy any company for what they do. Because most likely you end up doing pretty much the same at every company.

Re: Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#4

Post by chadcmulligan »

patatino wrote: post #3

I wanna work at a company that: - pays me a lot - allows me to work from home - does not expect me to read emails or anything in my free time (of course in special cases that's ok, just not the standard) - has other employers I can learn from That's it! I don't fancy any company for what they do. Because most likely you end up doing pretty much the same at every company.

> read emails or anything in my free time

Is this widely expected now?

Re: Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#6

Post by giantg2 »

chadcmulligan wrote: post #4
patatino wrote: post #3

I wanna work at a company that: - pays me a lot - allows me to work from home - does not expect me to read emails or anything in my free time (of course in special cases that's ok, just not the standard) - has other employers I can learn from That's it! I don't fancy any company for what they do. Because most likely you end up doing pretty much the same at every company.

> read emails or anything in my free time Is this widely expected now?

In my company - yes. They tout work life balance, but you are expected to pick up your phone 24/7. On a related note, our policy says you need to put in a 7.5 hour day. But if you want to be promoted, the unofficial number is 9+.

Re: Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#7

Post by frompdx »

None.

I have been out of work for two months after my new employer decided to delay my start date indefinitely due to the pandemic. I've been searching for other jobs in the mean time. I wouldn't bother looking if I could swing it financially long term.

I work to live. Not the other way around. I'm capable of finding useful activities to fill my time. The time off has been great and I don't look forward to returning to the grind.

I have worked for nine different companies in four different industries since I started working at 17. In every case work has robbed me of my time and mental health. If I had the option I would not choose to work.

Re: Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#8

Post by chadcmulligan »

giantg2 wrote: post #6
chadcmulligan wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> read emails or anything in my free time Is this widely expected now?

In my company - yes. They tout work life balance, but you are expected to pick up your phone 24/7. On a related note, our policy says you need to put in a 7.5 hour day. But if you want to be promoted, the unofficial number is 9+.

I do see work life balance in a job ad as a red flag these days, or at least questions to be asked, a bit of doublespeak :-)

Re: Ask HN: Which companies do you want to work at?

#9

Post by giantg2 »

chadcmulligan wrote: post #8
giantg2 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my company - yes. They tout work life balance, but you are expected to pick up your phone 24/7. On a related note, our policy says you need to put in a 7.5 hour day. But if you want to be promoted, the unofficial number is 9+.

I do see work life balance in a job ad as a red flag these days, or at least questions to be asked, a bit of doublespeak :-)

I've seen the company violate so many of it's own policies over the years and it's supposed to be one of the top 20 best places to work (Computer World list) . I just wouldn't trust or believe any any company at this point.
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