Reply to: Perm in Facebook/Google vs IB contracting

[The Spartan]

The market is generally very difficult. I would definitely consider permie. It seems to me if you want a contract you´ve got to be prepared to travel and take a low rate.

I'm prepared to travel as anywhere in the UK will be a lot closer to home than Zurich, definitely not considering permiedoom at this point ugh!

[BlasterBates]

The market is generally very difficult. I would definitely consider permie. It seems to me if you want a contract you´ve got to be prepared to travel and take a low rate.

[The Spartan]

Also you have to look at the value to your CV of any given client. Having a firm that is seen as "leading" is better, be clear that some managers filter by "he's worked at X so he's probably better"

I'm wondering how much this will ring true seeing as I'll be back in the hunt for a new contract come June, so far there's been some interest but not at the level I would have expected

[Dominic Connor]

Always thing about the contract after this one

Also you have to look at the value to your CV of any given client. Having a firm that is seen as "leading" is better, be clear that some managers filter by "he's worked at X so he's probably better"

[Bunk]

They expected him to put the JD&coke down during the interview.

AND it was scheduled to start before noon.

I was just making sure they knew the score

[TheFaQQer]

They asked you to write some code? The nerve.

They expected him to put the JD&coke down during the interview.

AND it was scheduled to start before noon.

[darmstadt]

I got contacted by someone from Google who wanted to interview me and I got back to him saying that I don't think my skills were what they were looking for and so wasn't really interested, thanks. They got back to me again and said they were interested and really wanted to interview me so I decided nothing to lose and gave them a number to call me on for a phone interview. Lots of waffle about not telling anyone the questions afterwards and then discussing where I would like to be based, anywhere they have an office it seems. The interview was basically a number of Linux technical questions of which, strangely enough, I got most of them correct. These were then apparently sent off to one of the high ranking engineers then I would be made an offer. No offer was forthcoming and even if there was I would probably have turned it down anyway. Had exactly the same palaver with RedHat as well...

[Bunk]

Do you happen to know what level they started at? I think they have levels like SE, SE II, SE III. I wouldn't like to start at SE if I give it a go. That's where kids who come in straight from college start. Now the debate about whether they are on the same competency level as I would be aside, it would be good to know if someone knew about lateral hires from banks getting onto the second or third levels.

My impression of Google and Facebook is that being hired from a bank wouldn't impress them much. As an experienced developer you probably wouldn't go in a the lowest level but don't expect to be treated specially just because you took a drop in pay from banking to join them.

[The Spartan]

One of the team (FTE) moved from California to Zurich and he was given an increase due to the difference in the cost of living but I couldn't say if this is always the case.

[yasockie]

There's also room to move to different offices across the world and Google tend to cover the relocation costs.

That's interesting, do you get to keep your existing salary or if the location is cheaper, it gets lowered?
I have been offered a role at Google once, in Eastern Europe but the package was laughable

[The Spartan]

Do you happen to know what level they started at? I think they have levels like SE, SE II, SE III. I wouldn't like to start at SE if I give it a go. That's where kids who come in straight from college start. Now the debate about whether they are on the same competency level as I would be aside, it would be good to know if someone knew about lateral hires from banks getting onto the second or third levels.

SWE - Is normally the level that interns who've spent the summer at a Google office come in at if they're successful based on their interviews and previous work at Google

[MyUserName]

One of the differences seems to be that google and co are looking for people who love coding (to the point where they will work a 10 hour day and then go home and code some more), love problem solving whislt being an active, lively and resourceful 'people person' with good communication skills.

I guess those interviews are meant to filter everyone else out.

[Bunk]

They asked you to write some code? The nerve.

No. Well, yes, they probably would expect that and I wouldn't mind that. It was just the sheer number of interviews with various people and panels that sent me running back to my cosy contract.

[Optimus Prime]

...promotion is a big part of the culture on certain teams there too recently 3 people got promoted on the team I work for and the promotion rate has been 20% every year for the past five years.

Do you happen to know what level they started at? I think they have levels like SE, SE II, SE III. I wouldn't like to start at SE if I give it a go. That's where kids who come in straight from college start. Now the debate about whether they are on the same competency level as I would be aside, it would be good to know if someone knew about lateral hires from banks getting onto the second or third levels.

[Optimus Prime]

The thing that put me off was when they described the interview process.

They asked you to write some code? The nerve.