Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#1

Post by DamonOehlman » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 1:40 AM UTC

Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?
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Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#2

Post by bengl3rt » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 3:45 AM UTC

Done. Looking forward to seeing the other responses pile up!

One thing I'd like to know is how much of the things we perceive externally about a company on account of their messaging/reputation are actually true - I've had a couple of jobs that ended up being radically different from what was advertised. My new policy is to always connect with current and former employees on LinkedIn/Twitter/over beer to find out what it's really like.

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#3

Post by coenhyde » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 3:48 AM UTC

Filled out the form. In summary:

I'm from Brisbane/Australia and I will be moving to the USA one way or other soon. The few trips I have made over there have really opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist that just are not here.

It's mainly about networking and social support. The old age saying of "it's not what you know, it's who you know" is still very valid. In Brisbane we just don't have any successful startups (at least that stayed in Brisbane) to provide advice/connections.

Plus it is awesome to be surrounded by awesome people doing awesome things, that's what I'm looking forward to most.

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#4

Post by ianstormtaylor » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 3:50 AM UTC

The spreadsheet would benefit from the same descriptions the form has. Was very confused when I skipped the form.

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#5

Post by DamonOehlman » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 3:53 AM UTC

ianstormtaylor wrote: post #4

The spreadsheet would benefit from the same descriptions the form has. Was very confused when I skipped the form.

Thanks for the feedback Ian - I'll add those now.

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#6

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 3:54 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#7

Post by DamonOehlman » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 4:02 AM UTC

bengl3rt wrote: post #2

Done. Looking forward to seeing the other responses pile up! One thing I'd like to know is how much of the things we perceive externally about a company on account of their messaging/reputation are actually true - I've had a couple of jobs that ended up being radically different from what was advertised. My new policy is to always connect with current and former employees on LinkedIn/Twitter/over beer to find out wha…

Thanks for the response Ben. That's a really good point actually. In my initial responses I left off a couple of companies because I have known people who have worked there and then moved on. Not always because they didn't like the place, but more because they felt their goals had changed and were now different from their employers...

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#8

Post by DamonOehlman » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 4:07 AM UTC

bengl3rt wrote: post #2

Done. Looking forward to seeing the other responses pile up! One thing I'd like to know is how much of the things we perceive externally about a company on account of their messaging/reputation are actually true - I've had a couple of jobs that ended up being radically different from what was advertised. My new policy is to always connect with current and former employees on LinkedIn/Twitter/over beer to find out wha…

Also I really identify with what you put in the "Why" column. Are there any particular companies in your list that you feel match this more than others?

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#9

Post by bengl3rt » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 4:11 AM UTC

DamonOehlman wrote: post #8

bengl3rt wrote: post #2

Done. Looking forward to seeing the other responses pile up! One thing I'd like to know is how much of the things we perceive externally about a company on account of their messaging/reputation are actually true - I've had a couple of jobs that ended up being radically different from what was advertised. My new policy is to always connect with current and former employees on LinkedIn/Twitter/over beer to find out wha…

Also I really identify with what you put in the "Why" column. Are there any particular companies in your list that you feel match this more than others?

Hmm, I feel like Acunu and Mixpanel would let me focus on my first love (C/systems hacking), Acunu and Fastly would let me be the most active in open source, and ThoughtWorks would have the most travel (that's right, folks, I actually want to travel for business - I like going places but vacations bore me).

This is all conjecture of course as I've worked at exactly 0 of the places I've listed :)

Re: Ask HN: Who, What, Where, Why?

#10

Post by plinkplonk » Mon, Apr 02, 2012, 4:40 AM UTC

These are the questions, for anyone who can't be bothered to look at a spreadsheet and fill it in.

(1)What - 'What technologies do you want to work with fulltime?'

(2) Who - 'Which companies inspire you and send a message that makes you think you would like to work with or for them?'

(3) Where - 'If you could work anywhere in the world, where would that be?'

(4) Why - 'So what are the factors that influenced your answers'?