Spring Break
Bizarro Hell Week
Corey Hajim (MBA ’01) Special Contributor
Issue date: 2/3/03 Section: Recruiting Special
Ask a lot of questions about customer retention, competition and brand positioning. I suppose you might want to consider how a company is funded as well. Organizational Behavior Foosball tables are great, but bar sports are not enough to make a company click together. Think about turnover. The bottom line is that it's a drag to join a company that employees are fleeing. Consider how the employees are treated, incentivized and included in process. I also think diversity is important. The last thing you want is just a bunch of MBAs sitting around talking about adding value.... Oops, that's us. Deal Breakers When considering a career at a start-up or otherwise Internet related firm, there are certain things to keep in mind. First of all, your email address. Will you get the ultra-cool, first mover advantaged yourfirstname@....com? If you want people to know that you got in on the ground floor, make sure you don't get stuck being the second "John."
Parking and transportation are very important. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but Redwood City and Palo Alto are far. It may not seem like it when you drive down there at 10 am on a Tuesday for an interview, but try any day of the week between 6:30-9 am and it's a whole different story. If you are going to be in the city think about whether or not there is a bus line to get you to work and if you have a car, if parking is included. Trust me, it matters. After-Work Activities Most cool Internet companies have the standard ping pong table at the office, but check out what people do after work. Are there fun parties, field trips, and off-sites? Don't expect boondoggles to golf camp or Hawaii; think more along the lines of bowling, salsa dancing or trips to the Exploratorium. San Francisco General If you are going to move to SF, have an open mind and be prepared to have fun. Housing will be a problem and the weather isn't Los Angeles sunny, but the atmosphere is very positive. People work hard, but they also play hard and it is important to keep balance and maintain that spirit. The SF inhabitants tend to be liberal and friendly. Don't be put off by strangers talking to you or saying hi. They're not crazy, just happy.
Parking and transportation are very important. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but Redwood City and Palo Alto are far. It may not seem like it when you drive down there at 10 am on a Tuesday for an interview, but try any day of the week between 6:30-9 am and it's a whole different story. If you are going to be in the city think about whether or not there is a bus line to get you to work and if you have a car, if parking is included. Trust me, it matters. After-Work Activities Most cool Internet companies have the standard ping pong table at the office, but check out what people do after work. Are there fun parties, field trips, and off-sites? Don't expect boondoggles to golf camp or Hawaii; think more along the lines of bowling, salsa dancing or trips to the Exploratorium. San Francisco General If you are going to move to SF, have an open mind and be prepared to have fun. Housing will be a problem and the weather isn't Los Angeles sunny, but the atmosphere is very positive. People work hard, but they also play hard and it is important to keep balance and maintain that spirit. The SF inhabitants tend to be liberal and friendly. Don't be put off by strangers talking to you or saying hi. They're not crazy, just happy.
