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Jobs at Google (1999)

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Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#51

Post by SECProto »

sacado2 wrote: post #34
joe-user wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've worked at plenty of places with free snacks/drinks (some even considered enterprise), but never a place that had ping pong tables or relaxation pods, so casually introducing those to the argument is a tough sell and changes the context enough so that I don't think the rest of your point still stands. What are your thoughts on a more fitting comparison, such as snacks/drinks provided vs. BYO/vending machine/go to…

Not OP but I'd say it's the shortest path to obesity, unless you have a very strong will. I never buy anything at the automated machines at my workplace, but when my colleagues bring some food for others to share, I always take some, for instance.

Depending what's available. At my job, if I forget my lunch, my only option is driving to a fast-food joint. If my employer offered snacks (some healthy, some not), I'd likely end up healthier. It's situational, depends on the person and workplace. Willpower is only a small part of it (at least for me).

Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#53

Post by scarface74 »

fenwick67 wrote: post #50
scarface74 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So they were “not evil” as long as they were being funded by investors and didn’t have a self sustaining business plan...

This is a common pattern that companies follow; make a good product now, make money later. Many products become crappy and companies go sour when they turn this corner.

If a profit seeking company makes a product that isn’t profitable, how can it be considered “good”?

Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#54

Post by HarryHirsch »

stillworks wrote: post #9

Interestingly, Requirements for Staffing Manager -BA/BS, MS or Ph.D. degree -Intelligence to interview the brightest in the world Ph.D for Staffing Manager ? I guess that's not the case currently ?

It's reminiscent of that Zen anecdote in Raise High the Roof Beam: http://www-users.math.umn.edu/~brubaker/3592H/dukemu-salinge...

Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#55

Post by maxxxxx »

cs02rm0 wrote: post #23
joe-user wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This seems like a good reason not to work somewhere. I'm curious; why do you feel that way?

I worked somewhere with free coke and kit kats. Turns out, I've got willpower when in the supermarket, but not when there's a fridge in the office. I could just about limit myself to 1 of each a day, but even that was too much.

That's one thing that bothers me too. If they provide something for free it's almost always junk food, candy or soda. I prefer not to have this in my face all the time while I am at work.

Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#56

Post by golergka »

sambeau wrote: post #25
f055 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which is funny, because actually, their business model was never "really cool", just "evil" ;)

Google were not "evil" for a long time after this. They really were a force for good in the world for a long time. I have never admired a large company so much as I did the Google of the early 2000s. Youthful, gifted, moral, crazily ambitious, constantly doing things I thought impossible… The "evil" only really crept in once they started to take over all of the world's advertising.

What exactly is evil about their deal with advertisement?

Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#57

Post by woranl »

sambeau wrote: post #25
f055 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which is funny, because actually, their business model was never "really cool", just "evil" ;)

Google were not "evil" for a long time after this. They really were a force for good in the world for a long time. I have never admired a large company so much as I did the Google of the early 2000s. Youthful, gifted, moral, crazily ambitious, constantly doing things I thought impossible… The "evil" only really crept in once they started to take over all of the world's advertising.

Google were not as "evil" when Larry Page and Sergey Brin were in charge. Nowadays, the moral standard is very low.

Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#58

Post by sicnus »

My wife interviewed then... She was an Admin Assistant for a CEO of a fairly large pharmaceutical company in the bay area. They asked her what she wanted to do and she responded she would and could perform quite well as an admin asst. They they said, "no, what do you want to do?" I think they were asking about pottery or saving whales or whatever. My wife didn't get it; nor the job. If only she could have said "Chase Rainbows". sigh (edit: words)

Re: Jobs at Google (1999)

#59

Post by inerte »

godelmachine wrote: post #19
codingdave wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2nd requirement: BS or MS in Computer Science or equivalent (Ph.D. a plus) So, sure, they were fine with hobby experience. But only if backed by solid CS chops.

I am quite sure Google has always picked fellas without college degrees, provided they proved solid hobby based achievements.

Rarely, but yes. Overall Google was notorious for demanding degrees from top universities.
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