Hacker News Reader

Comment by ChuckNorris89 | Hacker News Reader

The author is from Austria. As a dev who moved there 4 years ago I noticed it's probably some archaic Germanic cultural trait for any job postings to be very employer focused, acting like they're doing you a favor by hiring you and not caring about what the employee might want, even for senior roles.

Maybe a local is reading this and can explain why this is still a thing.

View on HN

Author here, true, software jobs are a bit extra weird around here. I think it's because companies are run more "traditionally" here. Meaning that the people running the company are usually managers. They have a business background and don't understand what most engineers want and how they think. Even many self-proclaimed "startups" (which are often just consulting shops) are run this way.

The cause for this might be that it's culturally pretty unusual to start a company around here. I'd say people are extremely risk-averse and starting a company is almost frowned upon.

If the people running the companies have business backgrounds surely they understand the principles of supply and demand, no?

They want FAANG like employees but only if they work for peanuts. Then they cry to the press they can't find skilled engineers.

The same way I also can't find Ferraris, with a budget for a Hyundai.

I think you're spot on with that observation. One reason for me to never ever consider going back to Germany.

You're so goddamn right!

I live in Germany and the only companies I can work for are international ones (US-based).

At least I know how they work, what they expect, and generally speaking, it's the way I like to work.

Never, ever work for companies like Deutsche Post, Telekom etc.

Interesting. Any idea what the experience is like working at T-Mobile in the US?

No, I can't help you here. I would say, though, that it's different for German companies outside the country.

I am from Austria, and just want to say that this assessment matches my own experience. Sadly I don't have an explanation for it either. I moved away 4 years ago but that's one of the many cultural reasons why I don't miss Austria much.

That’s how German companies treat their customers, why would you expect any better for their employees?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com