Ask HN: Is there companies it is better not to join?

3 points by japoneris 1 year ago | 2 comments

Hi HN,

While talking with friends about job changes, some would say: - "do not work for a startup as it is too unstable" - "do not work for a medium company if it is unknown, otherwise no one will value your experience" - "It is better to move in a big, large, well known company, so you can move anywhere after".

How would you agree with the second and third claims? Is there companies it is better not to join (even if the salary is competitive) because your experience gained there would not be considered, making the next move difficult?

Myself, I am OK with the first one, as the failure rate of startup is much larger than the success rate, but I do not agree with the two last (I work for a large company, it does not seem to make change easier).

What is your experience on this topic? Would you say all experience are considered the same way?

austin-cheney 1 year ago |

There are companies that can result in reputation harm, like: pornography, prison communications, pay day loans.

My best advice is really drill down on the immediate management of a potential employer about how they manage and the expectations they set. If they lack maturity then employment there will be painful and probably temporary. Take this seriously and don’t let them sell you a bunch of bullshit about how they are a great place to work.

If it appears stressful because they set a high bar on product quality or process automation then it’s probably a good place to be, but if it appears the opposite is true and things look too easy be very afraid. I say this because there is so much you don’t see when it comes to bias, and by the time that bias becomes clear it’s far too late.

GianFabien 1 year ago |

In the interests of my mental health I will not work for any company where the top management are psychopaths, focused on the share-price and the next quarter's financial results. I prefer companies that produce tangible product and/or services that clients pay for.