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Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

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Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#1

Post by jiajiang »

I read this article on Signifyd and HotelTonight on this website (BabyUnicorns.com). The whole website advocates for mid-sized high growth companies as places to work for, rather than large companies such as Google and Facebook. I am conflicted on this. Google is consistently ranked as one of the most desirable employers year after year. They will continue to dominate the world in the near future, and it's a super cool brand to have on your resume. But am I missing out on the big upside provided by these smaller but fast growing companies? Sure they are much more risky than Google/FB, but it's not like HotelTonight or Udemy are startups and can go out of business any minute. It seems like they much a lot of upside through employee ownerships.

What do you think? If you are a 25 year old engineer who wants a corporate career, would you rather go to Google or a HotelTonight/Signifyd/Asana?

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#3

Post by orky56 »

Google provides immediate brand recognition that shows future employers that you've achieved a certain level success and/or are capable enough to get in. In addition, Google pays very well and offers equity that has a tangible value since they are already public, highly stable, and still have some growth in their future. Having Google early in your career allows you to then seek future opportunities having some money saved from salary/bonus/stock and with more ability to get into leadership in smaller but still high growth companies.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#4

Post by provlem »

I will share the suggestion shared by "Jack ma", the founder of alibaba group.

He said, To become an entrepreneur "One should work for small companies, generally in big companies, you are part of the big machine, but in small companies, you do most of the work your self and learn it".

So, it depends on what you want to be, if you plan to put your self in stable career without much of risk involved - go ahead with big companies.

If you want to be part of next future companies, where you can learn much more about the process of how company works and other information, start with smaller high growth company.

The only thing that will differ be efforts to sustain and keep rolling upwards for self and the company both in small company, while in big company, you will have primary focus on your self to keep up with the company.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#6

Post by jeffreylees »

A smaller company (especially high growth) would be my choice any day. I currently work for a smaller, high growth startup, and I prefer it a thousand fold to the experiences in industry giant companies like MS or Google. The bad would outweigh the good, to me. No doubt there is good - the name recognition on your resume, the experience on big products with big-name hitters - but no, even that wouldn't outweigh the burdens of the bigger corporate employment, at least not for me.

A smaller startup / company can get things done faster, give you more experience in potentially more areas and more types of projects. If it's a high growth company it probably will make a fairly good resume item anyway.

The only caveat is that you have said: "who wants a corporate career" -- if by "corporate" you mean larger mega-companies, than of course, your choice should be Google.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#7

Post by late2part »

This is addressed quite well in Robert Coram’s Excellent _Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War_ with the life shaping question:

“Do you want to be somebody, or do something?”

You will be a really big deal at FANG but you are not likely to do as interesting work as you would in a smaller mildly successful company.

https://www.amazon.com/Boyd-Fighter-Pilot-Who-Changed/dp/031...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boyd_(military_strategi...

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#8

Post by axaxs »

I've interviewed at lot of companies, a lot of which I had no intention of taking.

The interview process I think says a lot about a company. I was very put off by the processes of 2 of the big companies, so much so I'd never consider them again as I think it's a bit of an indication of how they operate in general.

I found smaller companies tend to have a much more honest conversation with you, and offer a lot of intangible benefits.

That said, if I were looking for money and benefits, the big ones are hard to beat.

Oops, forgot to answer the question. I work for a...smallish company now as I have for years, in a niche market. I appreciate the recognition I get, the freedom I'm afforded, no micromanagement, no stack ranking, etc. That's worth more to me than a larger salary, and having a known name on my resume at this point in my life.

Re: Ask HN: Would you rather work for Google or a smaller high growth company?

#9

Post by ilkan »

Are you staying an engineer all your life or eventually be an exec? Do you want to be well paid or influential? Are you a PhD who likes doing one thing in depth, or are you a get-sh*t-done person who likes multiple interesting projects? Do you plan to change jobs a lot or stay one place for a long time?
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