I really have no idea what's happening with this and the news was just as a surprise to me as it seems to be to everybody else (I say this as a Googler).
I have to wonder if you'll stay where you are or you'll move to our Chelsea office at some point (which is very nice btw). That depends on if you'll be integrated into local or run as a subsidiary.
If you're integrated into local you may want to give some thought to what career path you want to transfer into. SREs (Site Reliability Engineers; basically a sysadmin/programmer hybrid) are what keep sites up here. Software engineers are the more typical programming route. I believe there is some interviewing that goes on to find the right fit for everyone but I really don't know how this works with acquisitions.
I know, but the parent was talking about something specific (regardless of the likelihood of it happening): Zagat getting integrated into the Local team.
"Google is of course interested in new our vehicle for survey dissemination"
There is something there. Surveys are worth a hell of a lot more than a targeted ad and right now not managed by just a few companies (rather badly too).
I know Google have looked into surveys before (think CAPTHCA or paywall alternatives), maybe this is it?
They've been hesitant to call it an "interview", but rather a "one on one". Whatever it is, everyone will talk to Google before being given an offer of employment. Inevitably, some jobs will be lost in the transition.
(wow, my weenie little blog on the front page of HN.)
You can think of it as insulting or that you and all your coworkers are now being held to a higher standard. Generally, I think it is better than the alternative.
The alternative? Keeping your self-respect, and getting another job? Google doesn't hire slackers and fakes; this guy can get another job in a heartbeat.
I've refused this 'offer' - Dell wanted to drug-test and interview us when we were acquired - I simply refused. Didn't lose my job.
I worked at a company that was acquired. All of the engineers had to interview, and the interviewers weren't aware that it was an acquisition situation.
It does seem like there could be a breaking point.
Are they really going to stick to treating everyone to the same perks? The ones they use to compete for engineering talent in Palo Alto?
I would keep it up if it up to me, knowing that the cost is a long-term investment in internal corporate identity. Once you cut back on these things (such as Microsoft's formerly-gold-plated health plan) you've permanently become a more ordinary company.
$20 per employee per day doesn't seem like such a huge expense, especially compared with salary and office space. If it makes employees happy to stay at the office longer, it's not a bad plan.
> Consistently high-quality food, available that conveniently, is a primal attraction.
It also ensures that the employees won't leave the office premises for the lunch break. That could be a good thing (for the employer) or a bad thing (for some of the employees).
I really have no idea what's happening with this and the news was just as a surprise to me as it seems to be to everybody else (I say this as a Googler).
I have to wonder if you'll stay where you are or you'll move to our Chelsea office at some point (which is very nice btw). That depends on if you'll be integrated into local or run as a subsidiary.
If you're integrated into local you may want to give some thought to what career path you want to transfer into. SREs (Site Reliability Engineers; basically a sysadmin/programmer hybrid) are what keep sites up here. Software engineers are the more typical programming route. I believe there is some interviewing that goes on to find the right fit for everyone but I really don't know how this works with acquisitions.
Anyway, welcome aboard.