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I'm not sure what part of my comment made you think that my current employer is an obstacle in job hunting. Actually it's quite the opposite, as I mention I get

I'm not sure what part of my comment made you think that my current employer is an obstacle in job hunting. Actually it's quite the opposite, as I mention I get a lot of attention from recruiters even though I'm not actively looking. The issue I'm observing is that this attention doesn't clearly translate to more job opportunities. If my current employer was the problem, wouldn't recruiters and hiring managers not bother reaching out, or reject my applications (I haven't applied to any job directly recently so I can't say).

PheonixPharts 3y ago
I'm speaking to your point about: > Common wisdom might make you think that I should be having companies throwing wads of cash at me My point is just that you're misunderstanding "common wisdom". In 2016, yes a job at any FAANG would mean that you have no trouble getting a new gig. In 2024 Amazon employees do not have a great reputation, so there's no reason to think of yourself as part of a group that "common wisdom" would show preference towards. Nobody with "wads of cash" sees Amazon on a resume and thinks it's something special and worth reaching out for. FAANG in general is not as appealing as it once was, and Amazon in particular is not a strong signal at all. Someone working at OpenAI today would likely have the response you're imagining is reserved for FAANG. Recruiters are also playing a numbers game, especially in this tech job market. My inbox has ample recruiter message for roles that are not even relevant to my skills, I wouldn't mistake that for signal.
- NoahKAndrews 3y ago
  I think they were saying that because they're an experienced ML engineer more than because of what companies they've worked at.
- snotrockets 3y ago
  Amazon, like any other big company, is a 1000 different small companies in a trenchcoat. Same for the other FAANGs. Each has just as least as many meh engineers as it has great ones.

PheonixPharts 3y ago

I'm speaking to your point about: > Common wisdom might make you think that I should be having companies throwing wads of cash at me My point is just that you're misunderstanding "common wisdom". In 2016, yes a job at any FAANG would mean that you have no trouble getting a new gig. In 2024 Amazon employees do not have a great reputation, so there's no reason to think of yourself as part of a group that "common wisdom" would show preference towards. Nobody with "wads of cash" sees Amazon on a resume and thinks it's something special and worth reaching out for. FAANG in general is not as appealing as it once was, and Amazon in particular is not a strong signal at all. Someone working at OpenAI today would likely have the response you're imagining is reserved for FAANG. Recruiters are also playing a numbers game, especially in this tech job market. My inbox has ample recruiter message for roles that are not even relevant to my skills, I wouldn't mistake that for signal.

NoahKAndrews 3y ago
I think they were saying that because they're an experienced ML engineer more than because of what companies they've worked at.
snotrockets 3y ago
Amazon, like any other big company, is a 1000 different small companies in a trenchcoat. Same for the other FAANGs. Each has just as least as many meh engineers as it has great ones.