What makes people want to work for Facebook - other than the RSU ?
I see a lot of posts where even with comparable TC with other companies like Google / Oracle OCI / Linkedin. People recommend joining FaceBook - Id really like to know why. What are some of the interesting projects at Facebook. What are the some of the interesting groups to work for at Facebook ? To be honest, Facebook as a product / website hasn't changed much over the years. Then there is the angle of actually doing useful work: I know there is a lot of work being done to improve stuff like the feed algorithms to improve ad targeting etc. But end of the day, nothing different from what is done at most other web companies. People complain that Oracle etc. is an enterprise company with low growth prospects - but from an engineer's point of view. Enterprise software is actually really challenging and there are so many interesting problems that need to be solved. We might have all the NoSQL and globally scalable open source databases in the world - but when it comes to storing a company's really really important data - it will always be on Oracle or SQLServer. Microsoft and Google have so many different types of projects - many of them where software is created that actually benefit users and enterprises. But people keep suggesting "join Facebook". Why ?? To be honest the only reason Facebook is able to give RSUs is from targetted ads - which they are able to do by blatant invasion of user's privacy. Not to mention the Dis-ingenious "internet.org" bulls**t designed to get people from poor/developing countries hooked to facebook by subsidizing their data plan so they can access facebook (and only facebook) for free.
Stock growth sadly
Talent, reputation, environment, stock growth, career growth, etc
This product actually helps people to stay in touch with friends and family (also Instagram and WhatsApp). It's the best company to work for in terms of perks and salary. Smart motivated people there who want to make a change and have an impact. Oculus has bright future with VR. AI is top of it's field. Infra and scale is second to only Google. And much more. Don't be salty if you didn't get an offer, try again next year
Never interviewed - don't ever plan on either 😀. Got offers from all the companies I mentioned in the post - with pretty decent TCs too..
Not sure helping people stay in touch is a goal or reality anymore. AI is certainly not top of field at FB, but there are some decent publications and tooling.
$$$
Join for a year and then come back to MS, if something doesn’t work out. But I suspect you’ll love it here :)
What kind of problems are those?
And yet after solving these haloed problems Facebook user experience hasn't changed much over the years.. Other than improving algorithms for ad targeting, can you share at least 1 interesting engineering problem seen only at Facebook ? I've never had to deal with a scrum master in my life.. and most good companies give you 'ownership'
Mostly just $$$. Nobody would stick around to solve those "interesting problems" if the pay was shit.
You would be surprised. After a certain point the money makes less of a difference. You become wealthy enough to keep up with all of the latest technology, afford a decent house, have a nice car, and money to travel. At that point it becomes all about the interesting work and the people you get to work with.
Government and security agencies looking for engineers if that really was the biggest motivator
I agree with @JonDoe1 Anyone can become 'smart' and 'motivated' if you throw money at them..
Yup, don’t feel insecure at MS. Those FB folks are just average and joined only because of the money to work on some shitty projects.</sarcasm>
Hey be nice about Internet.org =^)