12 ms·

Wish I had joined a frat in Uni.. What no one told me in Uni is that: + You're either tech or not tech, and not tech is not sexy in the valley + You need exp

Wish I had joined a frat in Uni.. What no one told me in Uni is that: + You're either tech or not tech, and not tech is not sexy in the valley + You need experience, no one cares about all the extra coursework you do, experience is king + Don't wear a suit to an interview in the valley, ever. + Your connections are invaluable, form lasting relationships, it's one of those weird things where not studying pays off, a lower GPA is actually good in this instance, and the bonding time with the bros is more valuable down the line.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
peteretep 9y ago
I'm a recruiter who doesn't work with any companies in the Valley, and I'm curious about this: > Don't wear a suit to an interview > in the valley, ever. Really? Almost everywhere else in the world, not wearing a suit to an interview is a weak negative signal, as it shows you're unlikely to be able to put up with even small amounts of the inherent corporate bullshit that occurs in companies. Even if you'll never wear a suit once employed. I'm not disagreeing, I just want to know more.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- danielam 9y ago
  I think this is generally the case for tech companies in the United States and for startups around the world. Personally, I can't name a single tech company where interviewees are expected to wear suits to interviews. If there are any such bona fide tech companies (versus companies with tech teams), I imagine they're older corporations.
  - userbinator 9y ago
    IBM.
- uptownfunk 9y ago
  It's a cultural fit, most SV companies don't do suits, it's just not part of the culture. So if you go and interview with a company, and no one's wearing suits, it makes it look like you're not going to fit in if you are wearing one. It's almost seen as over compensating for lack of technical skills or knowledge by wearing a suit, at least that was my impression.

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

peteretep 9y ago

I'm a recruiter who doesn't work with any companies in the Valley, and I'm curious about this: > Don't wear a suit to an interview > in the valley, ever. Really? Almost everywhere else in the world, not wearing a suit to an interview is a weak negative signal, as it shows you're unlikely to be able to put up with even small amounts of the inherent corporate bullshit that occurs in companies. Even if you'll never wear a suit once employed. I'm not disagreeing, I just want to know more.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
danielam 9y ago
I think this is generally the case for tech companies in the United States and for startups around the world. Personally, I can't name a single tech company where interviewees are expected to wear suits to interviews. If there are any such bona fide tech companies (versus companies with tech teams), I imagine they're older corporations.
- userbinator 9y ago
  IBM.
uptownfunk 9y ago
It's a cultural fit, most SV companies don't do suits, it's just not part of the culture. So if you go and interview with a company, and no one's wearing suits, it makes it look like you're not going to fit in if you are wearing one. It's almost seen as over compensating for lack of technical skills or knowledge by wearing a suit, at least that was my impression.