On Leaving Facebook (frantic.im)

Article summary

The author, a senior engineer, shares their experience of leaving Facebook after 8.5 years to join a small startup called Replit. They discuss the reasons for their departure, including the company's changed culture and priorities, and the challenges of finding a new job. The author also reflects on their interview experiences and the importance of considering factors beyond compensation when making a career decision. They ultimately found a better fit at Replit, where they have been able to work on meaningful projects and improve their work-life balance.

Main themes

• career development
• job interviews
• company culture
• FAANG companies
• work-life balance
• hiring practices

What commenters say

• Some commenters believe that the industry's reliance on coding interviews is outdated and ineffective, while others argue that they are a necessary part of the hiring process.
• Experienced engineers may not need to be asked coding questions in interviews, as their skills and abilities can be assessed through other means.
• Having a FAANG company on one's resume can be seen as a positive or neutral factor, but some leaders may view it as a liability due to perceived differences in work culture and expectations.
• The importance of considering factors beyond compensation, such as company culture and personal fulfillment, is emphasized by some commenters.
• Others argue that coding interviews can be useful for assessing a candidate's problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• There is disagreement about the relevance of coding questions to real-world work, with some arguing that they are unnecessary and others believing that they are a valuable tool for evaluation.
• Some commenters share their personal experiences and anecdotes about working at FAANG companies and the impact it has had on their careers.
• The use of coding interviews as a screening tool is seen as a way to ensure consistency and fairness in the hiring process, but others argue that it can be a barrier to hiring talented candidates.