You're right there, and I don't think there's any way to get a straight answer about the inner workings of a company unless you've got a friend on the inside.

You're right there, and I don't think there's any way to get a straight answer about the inner workings of a company unless you've got a friend on the inside. The upside is that if you do good work and make it easy for employers to see it (e.g. github) then you can at least cast a wider net. Hopefully you'll get more interviews and offers so that you can pick the company that gives you the best vibe about their work environment and growth prospects.