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Ask HN: Where should I work: Facebook or Google?

9 points| newgradwhattodo | 8 years ago | reply

I'm trying to decide where to work between these two companies as I have offers from both of them. I'm aware that they are similar in a lot of aspects since they're both huge companies. What is HN's opinion on this decision? Which would you pick?

18 comments

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[+] jklein11|8 years ago|reply
Which offer is richer? Which team did you get a better feel from?

I don't have any experience with the culture of either, but I would imagine in an organization that large there will be teams at Facebook that will seem more Googley and more teams and Google that seem more Facebooky

Other than prestige (which I think they are on equal footing) I don't think generalizations of the entire organization will be to helpful.

[+] ForrestN|8 years ago|reply
Facebook intentionally addicts it’s users, and research increasingly shows that the use of its product is associated with declining mental health. Facebook plays a clearly negative role in society and is apparently run by people who don’t respect the public. No one should work there.
[+] muzani|8 years ago|reply
I would pick Google easily. They're working on a product I can't live without. They don't have "the largest open office in the world".
[+] HappyDreamer|8 years ago|reply
Personally I would prefer Google, because there seems to be more chances to work at more different types of projects (Google does more different things?), and I don't feel good about Facebook a bit seemingly trying to create a closed Facebook-only Internet. (On the other hand, google does AMP which creates a never-need-to-leave-Google-Search Internet, but I prefer that to a FB-only-Internet.)
[+] muzani|8 years ago|reply
Arguably, Google is making a closed world with Google. Browse the internet on a Google browser, using a Google phone operating system. Google reads all your emails and hears what you say at home. Soon we'll be riding to work in Google cars.

It's worse than Microsoft and surprising they got so far. But I guess when your motto is "Don't be evil", people trust you.

[+] _m8fo|8 years ago|reply
1. If you know the teams you'd be on, pick the company with the team you prefer.

2. If you don't know the teams, just pick the better offer. They're very similar in a generalized sense.

[+] gesman|8 years ago|reply
Flip coin.

If you like the side that popped up - go with it.

If you don't like that side - go for what you'd prefer.

[+] j_s|8 years ago|reply
Typically you'll know which you really want as soon as the coin is in the air.
[+] johnpython|8 years ago|reply
Neither. Work for a company that generates revenue by not encroaching on the privacy of every human being on Earth.
[+] Peroni|8 years ago|reply
Don't base a significant career move based on other peoples perception of the companies involved.

Choose the company that will offer you the best long term prospects and variety.

[+] davelnewton|8 years ago|reply
You have standing offers from both? Kind of doesn't matter until you do. There are a number of differences between them--being big doesn't make them the same.

What kind of problems do you want to solve? Where are you willing to relocate to? What language(s) do you want to work in? Etc.

[+] zerr|8 years ago|reply
Any other options besides advertising shops?
[+] philippz|8 years ago|reply
Both offers a great in terms of their "seize".

But whatsoever you should follow your heart. Which campus felt better, which team made a good impression. Go for the people and your gut, not the name.

[+] littleweep|8 years ago|reply
Take it from someone who took the advice of others too much to heart when I had two offers -- go with the one YOU want best. I ended up making the decision that sounded good to them and I regret it.
[+] mtmail|8 years ago|reply
What made you chose those two companies among the million others?
[+] shoefly|8 years ago|reply
Take a close look at the teams. A friend of mine had several offers from teams at Google. The first team she choose sucked and she was ready to leave a month after she joined. After a chat with HR, she was transferred to her second choice and has been there for years.

Let the companies know you have multiple offers and that you wish to have one more additional meeting with your potential workmates.