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So, random question: if you end up interviewing for Amazon at some point, is it a faux-pas to bring up legal troubles and controversial issues like this while s

So, random question: if you end up interviewing for Amazon at some point, is it a faux-pas to bring up legal troubles and controversial issues like this while speaking to your interviewers? Is it a bad idea to bring up (for example) this non-compete behavior on the part of the company when negotiating, or should you keep quiet about it? This seems like the sort of thing that should give someone pause when interviewing with Amazon for a job.

MrLeap 9y ago
If you don't want a job I'm sure that's a good thing to bring up. When I interviewed there I made some brief remarks about the downsides to consolidation to one of the 8~ people they had me talk to that day. His face turned a little sour. I wonder if it was that or my salary demands that made them not extend an offer to me. Oh well ;)
- discodave 9y ago
  They would have extended an offer or not independently of your salary demands. The question you asked would have been a minor point in the debrief if it was discussed at all. If you didn't get an offer it is probably because you didn't "meet the bar".
  - MrLeap 9y ago
    I obviously didn't "meet the bar", but it's not obvious to me which bar I missed. In my estimation I clobbered the phone tech screen. I clobbered all of their board work except the first early morning one. I did sort of muddle through that one. I got through it, but not with all that much glitter and glam. I don't think I interviewed like a madman sociopath, but subjective things like personality are the hardest things for me to defend my performance in ;)
koolba 9y ago
I'd ignore the topic entirely till it comes up for a signature, then tell them you won't sign it.
- hodgesrm 9y ago
  Or send it back with markup. A lot of companies will wipe off stuff at that point because the manager wants to make the hire. This is the point where you have the most leverage in making the deal. It's also important to stay unemotional, e.g., treat it at the same level as what your office chair looks like. You just want them to agree, not start wondering if you are a good fit. I personally dislike non-competes but the point is to get it removed, not make some big statement. (Unless your goal is to make a statement, not get the job under desirable conditions.)
CogitoCogito 9y ago
If you're not desperate, you should definitely push back on any non-compete clauses during hiring. You really shouldn't sign any agreement you aren't comfortable with and should instead make changes until you're okay with it.
Twirrim 9y ago
> So, random question: if you end up interviewing for Amazon at some point, is it a faux-pas to bring up legal troubles and controversial issues like this while speaking to your interviewers? All your interviewers will tell you is that they couldn't possibly comment on such a subject, and move on.
bm1362 9y ago
Unless you're interviewing for a Director position or above, there will be little value in prompting a personal answer from the interviewer. They're there to ask very specific questions, give feedback to your hiring manager and move on. They have very little power and insight into this kind of stuff.
legohead 9y ago
Any controversial question is going to potentially cost you. The interviewers will be asked their opinion of you and they can simply say 'pass'. I think I failed my interview at Blizzard when I brought up them firing a ton of people -- I just wanted to know how secure my job was, and wanted to know their perception of the firing being on the inside.

MrLeap 9y ago

If you don't want a job I'm sure that's a good thing to bring up. When I interviewed there I made some brief remarks about the downsides to consolidation to one of the 8~ people they had me talk to that day. His face turned a little sour. I wonder if it was that or my salary demands that made them not extend an offer to me. Oh well ;)

discodave 9y ago
They would have extended an offer or not independently of your salary demands. The question you asked would have been a minor point in the debrief if it was discussed at all. If you didn't get an offer it is probably because you didn't "meet the bar".
- MrLeap 9y ago
  I obviously didn't "meet the bar", but it's not obvious to me which bar I missed. In my estimation I clobbered the phone tech screen. I clobbered all of their board work except the first early morning one. I did sort of muddle through that one. I got through it, but not with all that much glitter and glam. I don't think I interviewed like a madman sociopath, but subjective things like personality are the hardest things for me to defend my performance in ;)

koolba 9y ago

I'd ignore the topic entirely till it comes up for a signature, then tell them you won't sign it.

hodgesrm 9y ago
Or send it back with markup. A lot of companies will wipe off stuff at that point because the manager wants to make the hire. This is the point where you have the most leverage in making the deal. It's also important to stay unemotional, e.g., treat it at the same level as what your office chair looks like. You just want them to agree, not start wondering if you are a good fit. I personally dislike non-competes but the point is to get it removed, not make some big statement. (Unless your goal is to make a statement, not get the job under desirable conditions.)

CogitoCogito 9y ago

If you're not desperate, you should definitely push back on any non-compete clauses during hiring. You really shouldn't sign any agreement you aren't comfortable with and should instead make changes until you're okay with it.

Twirrim 9y ago

> So, random question: if you end up interviewing for Amazon at some point, is it a faux-pas to bring up legal troubles and controversial issues like this while speaking to your interviewers? All your interviewers will tell you is that they couldn't possibly comment on such a subject, and move on.

bm1362 9y ago

Unless you're interviewing for a Director position or above, there will be little value in prompting a personal answer from the interviewer. They're there to ask very specific questions, give feedback to your hiring manager and move on. They have very little power and insight into this kind of stuff.

legohead 9y ago

Any controversial question is going to potentially cost you. The interviewers will be asked their opinion of you and they can simply say 'pass'. I think I failed my interview at Blizzard when I brought up them firing a ton of people -- I just wanted to know how secure my job was, and wanted to know their perception of the firing being on the inside.