Thread by @QuinnyPig

Today's thread is about normalizing asking more experienced folks whether or not the thing you're facing from your new / prospective employer is actually normal. It's geared at new entrants to the workforce / tech.

And now, "Lies This Industry Told Me."

Gather round...

"The forms are all normal, just sign them."

They sure are insistent that you sign the forms. If they matter that much to them, you should absolutely read them first. For bonus points, consult an employment attorney.

Only a fool signs something they've not read.

Similarly, "This is our standard agreement and can't be negotiated."

That's an excellent entry point to a negotiation! Eventually everything becomes negotiable.

"Equity in this company is your retirement plan."

This was told to me by a founder over a decade ago. The company still has not exited. Meanwhile my retirement account has appreciated nicely. Don't hang your hopes on a lottery ticket.

"Don't job hop."

This generally comes from someone who's either disadvantaged by you not sticking around, or hasn't hopped themselves much and feels that giving any other advice would mean (incorrectly!) that they'd made a mistake in their own career.

"Two weeks notice is mandatory."

No, it's a courtesy. If they start being obnoxious, your last day can be right freaking now. That's what "at will" employment means.

"Do great work, be patient, and you'll be promoted."

Get timelines when things like this are said. Mark your calendar. You can wait for promo at your current role, or you can get the new title at a new company by this time next month.

"Degrees are required."

They are helpful, particularly early career. I dispute whether they're six figures of non-dischargeable student loan debt worth of helpful. This is a nuanced topic that eludes simple tweet-sized solutions.

"Really senior people all have certifications."

Certifications are required for companies to maintain partner status, and they're better than nothing for folks entering the sector.

I have never yet been asked for a certification at any point in my career.

"You've gotta pay your dues."

I'm not suggesting you can go be VP of Eng tomorrow, but company career ladders are internal to that company. Nobody knows wtf "SDE III" means outside of your organization. Fortune passes everywhere. Think bigger.

"You're over-leveled / overpaid here and should appreciate what you've got."

I have never once found this to be true. It's usually levied at folks who aren't dramatically over-represented in this industry. If your company will pay you X, others will too at a minimum.

"You need to have good references."

Whether fair or not, the references that matter are the people we have in common. I've never found calling the three people a candidate provides to be a good use of time.

The point of all of this is to have a network of people you trust, so when your spidey sense goes off you can ping them and ask if this is in fact bullshit.

Sometimes it won't be! "Yeah, they can't give you a different retirement contribution because of ERISA."

But don't let your understanding of this industry be entirely framed by people who directly benefit from shading that understanding. You're doing yourself a disservice.

(I figured I should do a serious thread in preparation for tomorrow's absolutely MASSIVE @LastWeekinAWS shitpost.)

And if you don’t have someone to ask to validate whether something is normal, well that’s why my DMs are open.