It's better to say, at work it's better to not consider as friends or family. Good to be a professional. After work, it's upto us and the team. But, at work it shouldn't be that way. Just my pov

I gave a response in terms of individual dynamics of how good we are professionally and how much respect we give to each other. If there's a better understanding and dynamics it can go to the friendship but depends on different scenarios! So it's a gray point!

Marketing Associate

UX/UI Designer

I would reply that this is a useless question and that the company management should consider why they are hiring and letting useless recruiters ask dumb questions to future employees.

Haha, well technically she told me it was her first time taking an interview. 😂😂

Founder

The best answer to this is The Pro Sports team analogy , part of the uber famous Netflix Culture Deck.

Data Scientist

Product Manager

"I would like to maintain professional relationships with my co-workers."

Software Engineer

Software Developer

The recruiter asked me "whether I believe in work colleagues being like family or close friends."  Though I answered the question from a very gray perspective.  So what's your viewpoint? How should...

Welcome to Ask Grapeviners's Private Community

The recruiter asked me "whether I believe in work colleagues being like family or close friends."

Though I answered the question from a very gray perspective.

So what's your viewpoint? How should it be answered?

Got an interesting question asked in my interview today!!

Got an interesting question asked in my interview today!!- Grapevine

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

Hi,

I have almost 10 months of experience as software developer in 3 companies one internship, 2 full-time. First 2 was absolutely initial-stage startups, this one is a seed-funded startup. In my current company the culture and the manager is really nice. I work as a backend developer, node, MongoDB, express, genai, auth, etc. tech stack. But the work does not excite me at all, I was enjoying at my previous company a lot more. That was young team, so everyone was new to tech and trying to figure out things and was helpful and collaborative. Here everyone is in their 30s and 40s and I am 23, no one even cares of what I work and how difficulty I am facing in work/team. That's why I fear of losing my job every day and I am still on my probation. So I thought of applying in case I get laid off. I got an interview opportunity at company. I want to ask what should I answer if the interviewer asks me about the frequent switches.

In first company I switched because the company is like 3 people and no funding was received so only 3 more months of money remaining( btw now only the founder left and he is still trying to raise money, my other colleague left too). So what should I give a reason for this potential switch? 

Current perks: 6LPA base. Nothing else.

Have an interview coming up, how to prepare for frequent switching question?

There’s this chap on GV who posted that they haven’t received any calls for the past 3 months. Has 2.5 years experience with a current ctc around 15L. We spoke to them only to realise their expectations are 32L (26 fixed and 6 in esops)

In a market flooded with resumes due to unfortunate situations, is it fair to have such an expectation and at the same time, call out on GV that they haven’t been getting calls for an interview?

Are high expectations in such a market valid (even accounting for cream deserves takes)

26 fixed seems pretty reasonable, I don’t know how much lower you can expect

Share other such question(s) which you feel doesn't make sense to be asked or share your thoughts why you think it makes sense to ask such question(s).

This interview question has never made sense to me

Software Test - QA

[TL;DR former National quizzing champ dropped out of B. Tech in 2020 during peak of addiction and depression . Got over it and sober in Jan'23, resumed college and completed my B. Tech in Feb'24. Picked up coding again and feel ready for a job now Should I be honest or lie about the gap? Been ghosted my few recruiters whom I was honest with.]

JS developer here. I used to be a decent student, public speaker and one of the best quizzers in the college scene (former National Champ). But I never addressed some traumatic events that took place in my life before I turned 16. My depression took refuge in substance abuse and I abandoned all studies/career prospects during the pandemic. Eventually after 7 years of using, I got clean/sober in Jan'23 and resumed my studies. I earned my degree but on paper it took me 8 years to complete a 4 year B. Tech (2016-24).

Reasonably I get asked about the gap in my academics by hr/recruiters whom I push my CV to. I've been dead honest to them about my struggles with mental health and addiction in the past. And I've been getting ghosted. (It could be because of skill reasons on my part but I'm not even getting a feedback).

Should I not tell recruiters the truth about the gap? Should I leave the addiction bit out? How should I word it? I've never held a real coding job before but been slogging for the last 6 months to get better each day (my github and projects will reflect that). Please help me out with all your valuable suggestions. If you're a tech recruiter let me know how you would perceive my case.

Sorry if this is the wrong board to post in, I'm desperate. Should I be honest about my past struggles of depression/addiction with recruiters while explaining the 4 year gap in my resume?

You don't have to. They are not your friends and you don't know how someone might take it as.  
 You have been brave enough to come out of it but unfortunately not everyone will see it.

Investor

Welcome to IT Company Discussion's Private Community

Just wanted to know your thoughts as an Interviewer.??

Welcome to Business Roles's Private Community

I am starting as an Associate in a management consulting firm. From all the more experienced folks out here, would love to hear about your first job experiences. Things that you did that made it a better experience or things that you wish you had done (or not done). Really anxious about it, so any random experiences are also welcome!

Starting work in a month, would love some advice!

Management Consultant

Welcome to Office Gossip's Private Community

Not sure how many anime fans are here, but I was recently watching this new anime called “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead”, which basically shows how a corporate employee is so fed up with his messed up job, that the first thought he has, when zombie apocalypse hits is, “I don’t have to go to work anymore!”, and he’s out to do things that he always wanted to.

Anyways, in the new episode, its shown how a toxic leader/boss/senior behaves. And man, was that so accurate!! 

It shows how these leaders make you work like hell, belittle you, and misbehave with you. Even if you think of leaving the job, they make you believe how hard it is to survive without your current job, and how the work you’re doing is nothing, and that you can be easily replaced. 

And in the end, after fucking up your mental peace, they will come and show a little bit of sympathy, telling they how they just push you for your own sake. Acting like some wise old “mentor you never had”.

And you know, what the worst part is, since all your colleagues are living in the same environment, since everyday you go through the same toxicity over n over, it becomes normal for u. Your brain adjusts, and it seems to think that this is how the world is. 

Moreover, if you are a fresher, and you don’t have any prior experience of work culture, you seem to believe thats how work life is, and will always be. 

I’m ranting this out, since i wasted around 1-1.5 years of my life in such startup, and it wasn’t just the time that was wasted, it also took my passion, my energy, my motivation and my goal with it. 

To all the folks who might be in a similar situation, I just want to say, I know it’s hard and I know you probably can’t leave due to some financial situations or other issues. But BELIEVE ME when i say that nothing in this entire world comes above your mental health. Save that first folks. Be selfish, saving others can wait!

Traits of a toxic workplace

Welcome to Confessions's Private Community

Ever wondered how many love stories orgs have killed? Right at the start, in the middle, intentionally adding to the cold start or making the friction more pronounced. Think about it: corporate policies, unwritten rules, and so to say "culture" might have ended more love stories (and still is) than we care to acknowledge.

Imagine two colleagues who hit it off -only to be told that their relationship violates some archaic HR policy. Or worse, they keep it hidden, living in constant fear of discovery. Why? Because the org demands a separation of personal and professional lives that’s unnatural and really there's no switch to human connection. How do it fucking turn it off?

I mean you spend more than half your day at the work place right? falling for someone out there - Happens. Then, wouldn't it get to you that you have to say something but cant say, have to wait, but cant wait, and the distractions and more. I have seen most sides I guess - exceptional performers getting together, one high one low getting along - good outcomes, I have seen public spats too - really ugly ones. I have seen folks in depression. I have seen the founders being shaky with the gossip and more..

So you got to ask:
- Does this really add to morale? who really wins here?
- Does it take you away from your goal?
- Why are folks so divided on this topic?
- Is it about control or culture or someones belief system coming in the way?
- What’s the real impact on employee retention?
- Do we really trust our employees enough?
- Can we redefine professionalism?
and What if we embraced love stories? 

Moral policing is not the answer. Neither is we dont know what they would do next - no one in the right mind is so horny that they bang right on the office floor (at least I would like to believe that) ... So.. is our insecurities too high, our principles too shaky, or we just like to be really really convenient. 

Your take please.

Office Love Stories

Human Resource

When the recruiter or HM opens up for questions, are you inclined towards asking them tough questions related to the organisation?

Lately I've started asking:
- How were people who were impacted in the latest lay-offs decided?

- Do you believe the team is at risk of lay-offs? In the overall org, where would you place this team in terms of business criticality.

- In case of downsizing how will you ensure that your team is going to be least impacted.

- Questions on talent being fungible, coding practices, knowledge organisation and sharing (hoarding/individual level, team level, org level)

- How does the manager ensure equity in workloads (especially useful for startups).

- Team agreements like stand-up timings, in-out timings, and most importantly, how often were  these changed in the last 6m-1y.


Folks, feel free to add to the list! Would love to hear your thoughts.

Managers are supposed to manage teams and be technically competent. Everyone is a champ when times are easy. The true colors are shown only when the going gets tough.

Most of the answers are gonna be template/standardizations. The key is to read between the lines.
If the manager is clueless or the body language doesn't inspire any confidence, then it's a red flag.

Asking tough questions to Hiring Managers

Worked for ~8 months as a Product analyst at my first firm. Interviewed and recieved a Product Analyst offer from my dream company in my industry of choice and an APM offer from a startup. 
Took up the APM role planning of switching to the dream company as a PM at a later point of time.

2 months into the job, recieved a text from the SVP that they'd be happy to offer an APM role at the dream company. Coincidentally, current firm has paused all appraisals and there's a small chance of layoffs as well. Do I make the switch?

Pros of switching: Higher Pay, Higher quality of work & Product, No risk of layoff (Since dream company is bootstrapped+ highly profitable), much better exit opportunities

Come of Switching: 2 switches within a year so would have to stay for atleast 2 years irrespective of the work environment, higher work load, no wfh (currently working in a good hybrid system)

If I decide to stay here longer and the SVP leaves the dream company, I'd be stranded as well. Please suggest.

Need advice regarding early-career switches

We all saw the recent post of FAANG employee earning a lot but not happy. I am sure that must be the case with so many of us. Why do we still talk about money? Speaking for myself, I can say, more money doesn't bring happiness as much as having fun with friends does!

Is there anyone here who has explored lot of things in life and then decided on what they love and want to do? You didn't take the job because it pays you well but because it's fun for you?

What do you want in your life as a North Star Metric? Money or something else? 

Anyone wants to share their take?

I look forward to meaningful relationships and figuring out whats fun for me

Why are majority of the posts about salary/money?

Consultant

You have got a Job offer. What are the parameters other than salary are a must for you before you sign the contract? Only if these parameters are there then only you will go ahead; else not.

What are the parameters for you to select a company?

Welcome to Product Managers's Private Community

I'll go first. I got a call for an APM role from one of the companies which did sound pretty sketchy and the recruiter was started bullying me into answering questions, when I asked to know more about the role. The recruiter was extremely unprofessional, and obviously the conversation was nowhere great. They however, did go ahead and sent me the JD and other links, etc to fill in and apply for the job. Mind you, I hadn't applied for the job. 🥲
It just was a pretty sour conversation which had left me in an uncertain situation. Any similar experiences?

Weird recruiter experiences

Asked for my expected CTC. I answered and they weren't happy with it. Said they could only give at 40% increment of current CTC and then asked for my current CTC. After hearing my current CTC they said I shouldn't be earning this much and that I was obviously making it up. Then asked to send over my salary payslip which I refused. Basically the HR started being extremely rude at this point stating that I was being unprofessional. I asked their salary budget for the role which they refused to answer. Then I asked if they were willing to hire me for a lower CTC which she instantly agreed and said she knew I was reasonable and I shouldn't have lied about my CTC. I then said good luck finding a candidate for that amount and hung up.

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

Most bullshit company ever. No respect for employees no work-life balance fires people just because they are sick. I myself joined there and worked for a while and one Monday i got a text from hr that i should come to the office today. I was sick the day before but he didn't pay any heed when i told him. I went and they forced me to resign on the same day and didn't even let me say my goodbye to my friends. FYI: I just got appreciation for finding the most number of release blockers by the team lead on the last Friday before firing.

They have a non-disclosure on the release letter i couldn't even tell people what happened so sharing here.

Glean | Fucked up

Human Resources

I am in my second year of MBA at one of the IIM LKI. Due to the bad economy my campus placements have taken a hit similar to ISB and IIM B. The worst part is I am not understanding where I am going wrong. As per my understanding I gave an exceptional interview to one of top Indian IT services but I still wasn't hired in spite of having an IT background with 3 years work ex in IT services 

Tech interviews were easy. You either know the answer or you don't 

I asked one of my seniors. He said they mostly look for culture fit!!!

I don't understand MBA interviews

Really need some unique, kickass suggestions

What questions do you usually ask to the interviewer about the firm?

Business Analyst

AMA about what actually goes behind those rangolis in the HR dept and work that better compensated people in HR do.

Got an interesting question asked in my interview today!!

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