5 ms·

Ask HN: Should I join Amazon? Why? Or Why not?

10 points by uwongchen 10y ago

Edit - removed details for privacy reasons.

willcate 10y ago
I'm sure you've heard that Amazon's corporate culture is considered to be "harsh" ... maybe it's not so bad for dev's, but I were you I'd take the job, but keep my options open at the same time, just in case things get unpleasant. There's nothing wrong with working long hours as long as you're being appropriately compensated, but big co's like Amazon are all the time finding new and creative ways to not have to do that. Good luck!
- uwongchen 10y ago
  Thanks. I am an immigrant from small east asian country. So while on visa it complicates things a lot.
  - shortoncash 10y ago
    I've learned to not trust what people say about a company's culture. Different people evaluate things very differently. Unless you have some really good friend inside the group that can vouch for the presence of sanity, just assume your new group's management is a bunch of lunatics. Subsequently, decide whether what you're getting paid and what you will (likely) learn is worth dealing with said lunatics.
bsvalley 10y ago
That's a lot of information here... watch out in case someone from that team reads HN
- stuzenz 10y ago
  Over time I have found who I am directly reporting to as the bigger influence on how I have enjoyed my time in a company. Get a handle on what your immediate boss is like - and let that weigh into your decision. With that said, if you are looking for adding a good name to your resume - why not join and see how it goes.
nate_martin 10y ago
People have wildly different experiences there. Some hate it and burn out after a year. Others really like the work environment and get promoted quickly. One good thing I'll say about Amazon is that it's a great way to break into the "big four" tech companies. If you didn't get into Google or Facebook initially but got into Amazon you can pretty much guarantee you'll get recruiter spam from lots of top companies.
jasoncrawford 10y ago
I worked there 2004–2007. I had a great time and I learned a lot. If you like the team that made you an offer, and you're excited about what you'd be working on there, then go for it. A few things I've written about what Amazon is like: https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-cultural-faux-pas-when-working-at-Amazon/answer/Jason-Crawford https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-cultural-faux-pas-when-w... https://www.quora.com/What-allows-Amazon-to-be-so-innovative/answer/Jason-Crawford https://www.quora.com/What-allows-Amazon-to-be-so-innovative... http://blog.jasoncrawford.org/two-pizza-teams http://blog.jasoncrawford.org/two-pizza-teams
SallySwanSmith 10y ago
If you have a good feeling about your manager and co-workers and like the sound of the work you are going to be doing, do it! If you have reservations about the people or the work, don't do it. You'll burn out if your in the wrong fit.
m23khan 10y ago
Are you talking about 'Amazon' or Amazon as in 'AWS'? If 'AWS', then I would go for it - it is probably one of the hottest platform/tech-company these days. Don't know much about 'Amazon' outside of 'AWS' so can't comment on it.
deleted 10y ago
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kjsingh 10y ago
Current employee with Amazon. I have worked with other big names, small and mid size startups. Amazon in itself is a sub-culture in software and technology. I would recommend anyone getting an opportunity to work here to go for it. Even if you leave after a year or two, I am sure you will learn things that will shape your career in a positive manner.

10 points by uwongchen 10y ago

Edit - removed details for privacy reasons.

I'm sure you've heard that Amazon's corporate culture is considered to be "harsh" ... maybe it's not so bad for dev's, but I were you I'd take the job, but keep my options open at the same time, just in case things get unpleasant. There's nothing wrong with working long hours as long as you're being appropriately compensated, but big co's like Amazon are all the time finding new and creative ways to not have to do that. Good luck!

uwongchen 10y ago
Thanks. I am an immigrant from small east asian country. So while on visa it complicates things a lot.
- shortoncash 10y ago
  I've learned to not trust what people say about a company's culture. Different people evaluate things very differently. Unless you have some really good friend inside the group that can vouch for the presence of sanity, just assume your new group's management is a bunch of lunatics. Subsequently, decide whether what you're getting paid and what you will (likely) learn is worth dealing with said lunatics.

bsvalley 10y ago

That's a lot of information here... watch out in case someone from that team reads HN

stuzenz 10y ago
Over time I have found who I am directly reporting to as the bigger influence on how I have enjoyed my time in a company. Get a handle on what your immediate boss is like - and let that weigh into your decision. With that said, if you are looking for adding a good name to your resume - why not join and see how it goes.

nate_martin 10y ago

People have wildly different experiences there. Some hate it and burn out after a year. Others really like the work environment and get promoted quickly. One good thing I'll say about Amazon is that it's a great way to break into the "big four" tech companies. If you didn't get into Google or Facebook initially but got into Amazon you can pretty much guarantee you'll get recruiter spam from lots of top companies.

jasoncrawford 10y ago

I worked there 2004–2007. I had a great time and I learned a lot. If you like the team that made you an offer, and you're excited about what you'd be working on there, then go for it. A few things I've written about what Amazon is like: https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-cultural-faux-pas-when-working-at-Amazon/answer/Jason-Crawford https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-cultural-faux-pas-when-w... https://www.quora.com/What-allows-Amazon-to-be-so-innovative/answer/Jason-Crawford https://www.quora.com/What-allows-Amazon-to-be-so-innovative... http://blog.jasoncrawford.org/two-pizza-teams http://blog.jasoncrawford.org/two-pizza-teams

SallySwanSmith 10y ago

If you have a good feeling about your manager and co-workers and like the sound of the work you are going to be doing, do it! If you have reservations about the people or the work, don't do it. You'll burn out if your in the wrong fit.

m23khan 10y ago

Are you talking about 'Amazon' or Amazon as in 'AWS'? If 'AWS', then I would go for it - it is probably one of the hottest platform/tech-company these days. Don't know much about 'Amazon' outside of 'AWS' so can't comment on it.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

kjsingh 10y ago

Current employee with Amazon. I have worked with other big names, small and mid size startups. Amazon in itself is a sub-culture in software and technology. I would recommend anyone getting an opportunity to work here to go for it. Even if you leave after a year or two, I am sure you will learn things that will shape your career in a positive manner.