Comments on: SEO Bookmarks: Jobs, Tricks, Hacks

By: Elmer W. Cagape

Elmer W. Cagape — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:26:36 +0000

I actually saw that link before and realized that behind the hype and glamor of these high profile companies, someone has to do the dirty work.

I wonder why Yahoo! and Microsoft don't flaunt their offices as a way to attract talents as much as Google does.

By: phaithful

phaithful — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:57:34 +0000

Google is definitely one that shows off their digs more than their competitors. The corporate culture definitely promotes a more playful atmosphere.

However, I do enjoy visiting Yahoo from time to time, because of their free coffee bar. For Yahooligans, Coffee is a Right, not a privilege.

And well Microsoft… their campus is definitely much more impressive than Googles just from the sheer magnitude of size, but they've got a bit more of a grown up culture there. But there definitely games and recreations around the campus if you ever need a break.

For some laughs check out ValleyWag's, Top 10 Worst workplaces in Tech. http://valleywag.com/388566/the-10-worst-workspac…

By: Elmer W. Cagape

Elmer W. Cagape — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:44:28 +0000

Showing nice photos of Googleplex could significantly contribute to the desire of these youngsters. Microsoft nor Yahoo! is very open to showing their fancy offices, massage rooms or swimming pools (if they have these facilities).

I agree with you, one can't avoid asking the question about high profile Googlers leaving the company.

By: phaithful

phaithful — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:38:17 +0000

I thought the undergraduate employer post was particularly interesting. The article cited that "work-life-balance" was one of the aspects of that was a top concern.

The funny thing is, every single person I know who works at Google has no life. Not to take anything away from those who work at Google, but all too often people cite the 20% time and how great it is that the employees get to work on whatever they want during that time.

In actually, that 20% time ends up adding to your normal work and you're actually working 120% time.

Google keeps you tethered to at all times.

8:00 AM A Googler wakes up and waits for the Google Bus to take him to Mountain View.

8:00 – 9:00 AM Googler uses the wifi on the Google Bus to SSH into his/her box to being work.

9:00 AM Googler walks in through the front door and grabs a Naked Juice on the way in.

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Googler continues to work or have meetings

12:00 PM Googler eats lunch in fancy cafe on the Google Campus

12:45 PM Googler goes back to work

6:00 PM Googler begins working on 20% time

7:30 PM Googler goes to eat dinner at one of the few cafeterias that are still open on the Google Campus

8:30 PM Googler rides bus home, during which he/she SSH into his/her box to continue to Map/Reduce

9:30 PM Googler arrives home and plays WoW or reads XKCD until bed time…

Rinse and Repeat.

To me, that's not work life balance. In addition, in the summer you can stay even later and do your laundry on campus and what not. But really… where is the life other than Google, and where is the balance.

Google is a great company, but you have to ask yourself… why are all the high profile, top engineers and product managers jumping ship …