“Facebook turned me down” (2009)

Post by ableal » Thu, Feb 20, 2014, 5:19 PM UTC

ChuckMcM wrote: post #95

DanBC wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This isn't all that unusual. Most people realize that hiring processes are really random. In some ways just hiring anyone who applies, firing them after 90 days if they don't work out, and keeping track of who has been through once is probably a better system overall. "EMPLOYERS: avoid employing unlucky people by immediately tossing half the CVs in the bin" - Viz top tip.

I'll have to remember that one :-) But on a more serious note, its been interesting to see the different sort of talent location ideas that have emerged. So I person I met a long time a go as a production assistant for the TV series Robotica was trying to come up with a new series and I suggested "American Hacker" where folks would go on the show and compete for a spot at Facebook or something. His comment though was…

Post by varenc » Thu, Feb 20, 2014, 5:27 PM UTC

NAFV_P wrote: post #141

Ask Threaders: What code does Zuckerberg write? I've seen the film and googled "mark zuckerberg". From what I gather, he did some programming in Atari BASIC, and he's just another perl hacker. Common sense would conclude that he is multi-lingual (yeah, I'm aware he was rusty a year or two ago), but does anyone know any specifics?

Post by frodopwns » Thu, Feb 20, 2014, 5:29 PM UTC

alexeisadeski3 wrote: post #107

graviboots wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll second this. I recently interviewed at a bunch of companies and couldn't get any offers. The interviews are getting ridiculous - we all know how pointless the coding questions are getting by now. Companies are too picky, in part because there's so much labor supply. I know there are loads of H1Bs around here, SV is like a third-world country.

>SV is like a third-world country ???

Post by aestra » Thu, Feb 20, 2014, 6:07 PM UTC

herokusaki wrote: post #105

chadillac wrote: post #15

Turned me down in 07' after a handful of phone interviews, flying me across the country, and 8 hours of in person interviews with 3 separate departments... but not before I got their CTO so shitfaced drunk he botched a 2AM code push to production and helped convince Zuckerbergs little sister into riding a mechanical bull. I regret nothing. edit: Worth noting I was a 22 year old self taught programmer that hadn't expe…

> he botched a 2AM code push to production I have come to think that pushing code to production when your person is noticeably compromised in some way should be prevented thorough technical means. Perhaps a CAPTCHA is an acceptable solution (which probably should also get more difficult the later the hour).

Post by crassus » Thu, Feb 20, 2014, 6:20 PM UTC

marvin wrote: post #124

kkowalczyk wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If he was hired by Facebook, he wouldn't have (co)developed WhatsApp. If Facebook hired him, he would most likely be worth (to Facebook) as much as any other random Facebook programmer. Unless he's the one who started WhatsApp, it would have been developed and successful anyway and Facebook would have to buy it for the same amount of money. The reality is that product/market fit is much more powerful force than progr…

I think the real issue is that when Facebook didn't hire him, he went on to found a competing company which Facebook felt compelled to pay 16 billion for. That's a big cost.