On Leaving Facebook • Hacker News Board

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#261

Post by anothernewdude » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 4:56 AM UTC

tippytippytango wrote: post #173

Aperocky wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> At Facebook I could get by barely working a few hours a day. But the job was so unsatisfying This is a little too first world. if the work were too sparse and wants more work, why not join interview loops or take classes/training, attend talks? Does Meta not have those options? The frustration feels almost artificial, if one does not want to get more work, then maybe just go boating or mountain biking. Watch some s…

It doesn't work like that. You have to be "on" even if you aren't working. That means you feel like you can't commit to anything substantial since you feel like you should be working. Fucking off on the internet is a coping mechanism to numb the pain of being in this limbo where you aren't working; but, feel like you should be working because you are getting paid a lot. In retrospect it's easy to see that there's thi…

I just got a second job. Keeps me busy rather than just spending time waiting all day.

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#262

Post by sorry_outta_gas » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 4:56 AM UTC

debt wrote: post #29

pkdpic wrote: post #11

Glad to see this was about working at FB / Meta rather than being a user. Just for personal interest. Newish dev doing my first attempt at a FAANG interview. Wondering if I should be trying for FaceBook as long as Im bothering to study. Had a very positive-feeling convo with a recruiter there ~6mo ago before "Meta". Sounds like it might be a negative thing to have on your resume now though? Any thoughts?

Yes absolutely go work at Meta. The person in the post had worked there for ten years; they’re likely a millionaire. It’s very challenging, but you should definitely get in and try it yourself. Move to the Bay if you haven’t done so yet, it will keep your motivation up.

I guess the counterpoint is, if they were any good they would have made the money elsewhere

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#263

Post by throwaway675309 » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 4:57 AM UTC

neilv wrote: post #184

dannyw wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At some point in your career, you have the ability to simply reject leetcode-like tests. Just politely decline.

Is this the point in your career when you have so much money that you don't actually need a job?

For every software engineering faang level company that requires leet code interviews, there are 100 others that do not. Your rhetorical question is patently absurd.

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#264

Post by dmitryminkovsky » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 4:58 AM UTC

Swizec wrote: post #211

ipnon wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the distinction to be made is between the process of finding the best out of 7,000 and finding someone sufficient out 7,000. The first is surely extremely expensive for companies. The second can be done in a week or two. I think the anecdotal evidence shows though that no company can accurately do the first, and the gamification of this process is a deeply researched topic, so it's likely that a company that…

> Coding is hard, but so is marketing, accounting, management ... But are your marketing candidates being put through the ringer too? I suspect software engineers are being uniquely hazed. My girlfriend works on the business strategy side of Fortune500’s. Our interviews look like a joke compared to theirs.

What are they like? Are they asked tangentially pertinent brainteasers and riddles?

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#265

Post by throwaway31332 » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 4:59 AM UTC

Salgat wrote: post #230

ensan wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“somewhere between 4 and 8 offers right now” How can the number of offers be indeterminate?

He's waiting on responses or is entering the final rounds for some of these companies.

Bingo. Mix of "offer in hand", "offer coming Monday-ish", and "finishing interview loops"

Also, who says I'm a "he"? FAANG companies have smart female engineers too (not nearly enough, but we're working on it)

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#266

Post by zionic » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 4:59 AM UTC

Shikadi wrote: post #226

zionic wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ll match your anecdote with mine. I’ve been everything from CTO to lead engineer. I’ve made sure we always pay well above average for every role because I’d rather have one exceptional engineer than 10 regular ones. FAANG on your resume is an instant disqualification.

If you're going to judge people for working at faang, you better never shop at Walmart or Amazon, never buy any foreign electronics because they're made with child labor, work for a non profit that doesn't shovel money away from those who produce it into the hands of shareholders that control the public policy allowing for atrocities like DuPont, never buy anything with Teflon in it, take the bus instead of owning a…

> If you're going to judge people for working at faang, you better never shop at Walmart or Amazon

I do my best, but I fully admit I am not perfect in this regard.

> allowing for atrocities like DuPont, never buy anything with Teflon in it,

I completely agree with you here. The leadership of these corps should have faced serious jail time for C8 contamination.

> We're all in the same exploitative evil system, get off your high horse and stop judging people for being employed.

I get it, but look at it from my perspective. I have a lot of money. I can hire people based on X or Y. I have the luxury of selecting skilled, amazing people who did not work for the system. Why would I see that as a bad thing?

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#267

Post by cantrememberpw8 » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 5:02 AM UTC

zionic wrote: post #242

twy_new_fb_hire wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind sharing what top-tier means?

Sure. What I mean by top-tier pay is essentially paying well above average to fewer, higher quality people. I’d rather have 2-3 expert engineers making 2x pay than 10 mediocre engineers making 1x pay. There is a sweet spot where you can scale with one expert in each domain, and if that “expert” is well compensated they can replace an entire engineering dept.

I was previously at the top of the salary band for Sr. Software Engineer at a decent big company, making 1.7-2x mediocre engineers I know elsewhere. Joining FB, my total comp (400kish) is an ample 5x mediocre in my area, and I hear thats normal across FAANGs.

I know 2x is still ridiculously high, even 1x is a very reasonable amount to live on, but 2x doesn't compare to 5x.

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#268

Post by zionic » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 5:03 AM UTC

russelldjimmy wrote: post #260

zionic wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's not going to stain your CV. Not with that attitude. I refuse to hire anyone with FAANG on their resume and you can all do it too. Most of you on here are all woo woo Linux this and FSF that, but you won’t put your money where your mouth is. I won’t hire you if you work for these assholes, and I’d love for more of you to join me. To the rest of you: Sure, take that $300k total comp bro. Good luck working outsid…

It’s one thing to state your values and non-negotiables, and it’s another to seem arrogant and sanctimonious about it. To me, your comment appears to be firmly in the latter. If that truly is the case, hope you figure out what you are resentful about because, unbeknownst to you, it is alienating those who see such language. I agree with your values but I would still think twice about working with you based on the com…

> to seem arrogant and sanctimonious about it.

I’m firm, firm in my belief that the people who have chosen of their own free will to work for FAANG have made moral compromises that disqualify them from my employment.

I don’t get how this is “sanctimonious”.

These people have made some absolutely terrible life choices, and alienation is a part of the consequence package that comes with those life choices.

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#269

Post by zionic » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 5:04 AM UTC

anonred wrote: post #243

zionic wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do I have to be salty about? I’m honestly a very happy person. I’ve found some incredible people that fulfill me, and that’s freed me. I used to be afraid of what people would think if I said what I felt. Now I can say what I believe with little consequence and to be honest? Not going back.

There’s an art to conveying a position on a topic without alienating one’s audience.

Sure. I admit I’m not artful on this subject.

But I am honest.

Re: On Leaving Facebook

#270

Post by mattnewton » Sat, Jan 22, 2022, 5:05 AM UTC

andrew_ wrote: post #26

I just do not understand why somebody with 20 years of experience would invest that kind of time in leetcode. just say "no" and be done with the BS, and with the kind of financial success the author has enjoyed previously, wait for the right company to come along that doesn't require it. That's the only way the industry is going to fix itself; enough people start saying no.

Personally I don't think it's a very high signal when hiring, mostly useful asking one in a phone screen to see if the person is faking having any programming experience and then leaning more heavily on systems design and behavioral questions.

But, I also don't feel like it's some huge indignity? I have spent far longer on take home tests from companies than practicing leetcode most interview circuits. I wouldn't discount a company for asking these kinds of questions to try to get more signal from applicants.