Ask HN: Working at Facebook. First hand experience?

[toocool]

Hi,

I've heard vastly different opinions when it comes to working at Facebook in an engineering position: some people say it's literally the best job ever because of the freedom, quality of coworkers and environment. Others instead said it's a highly competitive place (to the point where you're going to have a very hard time if you don't work 12 hours a day and aren't extremely smart) where you are worked to the bone until you naturally burn out and are then let go after a minor mistake, forfeiting your fat RSU package.

Do you have first hand experience? I am currently talking with a few big SV companies and I would like to avoid taking the wrong decision, so the more data points I have the better.

Thanks!

[to_bpr]

I don't know how many will self-identify as FB engineers on here, but there's no shortage of them on the Blind app who'll quickly answer your Q's.

[tekknolagi]

I was an intern there. Really enjoyed my time. I didn't put in absurd hours; I just got my work done. Spending time around smart people working on hard problems all day helped me develop.

[gamechangr]

Why would they answer you on here?

There would be a lot to lose and very little to gain. I would look for a less public format...if you want a response.

[marktangotango]

Not everyone uses their real name on the Internet, as you appear to do.