Hacker News Reader

AN447on Ask HN: Is it a good idea to invest my lifesaving in facebook shares?

Don't you need to be an accredited investor (USD $1M - in liquid assets) to trade on second market.

AN447on Ask HN: interview with a "deal of the day" company

I work for one of these places. I'm sure you can guess which one.

Please wear a suit, when you get the job you're able to wear what you like. I am assuming the culture of the UK offices will be fairly similar to the US ones.

The questions I got were

1) In your own words tell us what our company does (I gave an analogy to explain)

2) Explain our business model

3) Who are our target consumer (educated, females with lots of disposable income)

4) What are your core strengths

5) Tell me about your hobbies

6) What can you tell me about the office environment from just looking around (we have glass windows everywhere so nothing goes un-noticed - work is alot like university)

7) What do you want to do in 5 years?

AN447on Students paying to get internships?

In the U.K the Conservative Part were auctioning internships in several prestigious organizations. One Crispin 'I make money' Odey offered a week internship at his Hedge Fund for £5,000.

Its quite common. Personally, I have used my own personal contacts to get work experience. But when you involve money into this matter you are just creating more of a gulf between the rich and poor.

It is extremely common across all the industries in London. Very unfair. Media/Journalism is the worst culprits of this.

AN447on Do you watch "The Apprentice"?

Both are purely entertainment versus encouraging entrepreneurship especially Dragon's Den which is pretty much ritual humiliation. I find that mentality is what hampers the U.K from developing an entrepreneurial culture.

AN447on Ask HN: How long does it take to get hired at Google?

Referrals are the best way in. A friend of mine quoted:

'Since the last time we spoke, my role at Google has changed a bit and I'm now quite heavily involved with interviewing and hiring new candidates.

We are looking for top quality candidates with solid degrees from great universities, a passion for the internet and the advertising industry as well as other traits that make them interesting people - open mindedness, self-starters, entrepreneurs, people who are looking to change things.

Experience in (but not limited to) consultancy, advertising, marketing, sales and account management are all desirable. Entrepreneurs are especially liked as its one of the few companies that really values innovators, since we need them to keep pushing the company forward in an ever changing market. I can tell you some great stories of people right at the bottom who have lead global projects from a simple idea - check out Life In A Day for a recent example.

Since you have a great network, I would be grateful if you could pass on my message to your university list and anyone who you feel may be relevant. Candidates are 20 times more likely to get a job at Google with an internal referral so its a win-win situation for everyone.*

I got an interview offer but unfortunately the gig was not based in London so I had to pass it up. Maybe I'll try again in a few years.

AN447on Show HN: My latest Y Combinator application

Bitter?

AN447on Ask HN: Startup Advice for College Students

Learn Excel/MySQL/Another programming language, find out where you can get small grants for start-ups just to build a prototype and just get people using the product.

I'd recommend joining a start-up as well. Currently I'm employed at a hot start-up and every single day I am being given several projects which are essentially building/architecture projects using excel, mysql and other programming software/languages to make things useful to the business that people can use.

building is what it is about.

AN447on Must-see video of banker doing something wonderful

He is not a banker

AN447on The Future of Apple.

Personally, I'm sure Apple still have several game changer projects under wraps they could release when the time is right.

With or without Steve Jobs this company is here to dominate the space for the long-term.

AN447on Ask HN: What is something that you now have and wonder how you lived without?

Laptop, Internet, Central Heating, Money, Food

AN447on What tool do you use to focus?

I turn off the internet if I need to do something task wise and have a shitty computer to get stuff done on that its a really old battered mac.

Not a fan of software since i'll try override any settings etc.

AN447on Ask HN: Which 3G dongle to use in UK (and London info)?

Network 3 or Voda are the best one. I worked in Carphone Warehouse for 2-3 years during my undergrad/masters and those were the best ones to buy.

AN447on Ask HN: What new things are you planning to do this year?

Take more risks - approach more females I like like a machine/date more, invest and build a portfolio from scratch, play poker

Communication - take up toastmasters, possibly stand up comedy and work really hard at telling stories in a compelling and interesting manner

Finance - learn the industry back to front inside out and do as much as possible to build as much skill as possible in the areas of M&A/Investing

Network - meet as many high profile people across London as possible. Have already met two CEOs and an ex-govt minister in the space of a week with more events/introductions lined up.

AN447on Ask HN: Is 25 too old for Masters?

No its not too late far from it.

I finished grad school in 2010 (I'm 23 y/o) and most of my classmates were 25-38 range. Grad school really is alot better for mature students far far better. I felt I learnt alot more not from the subject matter/university but from the peers I was around who were all very mature even at my age.

AN447on Ask HN: Best way to build a financial model?

http://en.origoterra.com/2010/05/startup-financial-model-is-...

This may be a good starting point.

AN447on Ask HN: What are your 2011 resolutions?

- Accumulate as much experience from my job as possible. 10 people firm (financial services, investment management). Build a portfolio of skills that is both transferable and valuable

- Take far more risk with my own personal investing, play poker more regularly and often & approach more women

- Continue building a phenomenal network of high powered professionals, investors, start-up founders and established business men with a focus on private equity/venture capital. Follow up regularly and build a relationship

- Improve my communication. I'll do this by enrolling on a stand-up comedy course, toastmasters and blogging more regularly

AN447on Ask HN: Would you rather go to TED or Davos?

Davos every time. Look at the people who'll attend. The calibre is guaranteed to be higher.

AN447on Ask HN: What did you accomplish in 2010?

Finished graduate school

Landed a kick ass job at a boutique investment house in the City of London

Landed 3 Trustee positions

Fixed up my house which is an ongoing project for me

Returned 21% from my investment portfolio and cashed out immediately. Looking forward to starting 2011 from £0

I learnt that I had to keep a very loose structure throughout the year to achieve all these things as accidents were more frequent than I expected. Meticulous planning helped but it could not account for mishaps.

This year I hope to focus on the following areas

1) Improving my communication skills through toastmasters, blogging, writing industry reports/journals and offering my services as a public speaker

2) Taking more risks by playing poker, being more aggressive with my investments and approaching more women

3) Keeping my health in order by eating well, playing football 2x a week and running 3x per week

4) Networking alot more and penetrating specific areas in the City and specific groups/individuals. Starting of 2011 with drinks with several CEOs and a government minister.

AN447on Ask HN: What did you get for Christmas?

Nothing.

AN447on Tablets

I always thought of these devices as 'casual computing'

AN447on Ask HN: What do you want for Christmas?

Suit, fridge-freezer, macbook

AN447on Tell HN: Facebook email is live

Doesn't work.

AN447on Ask HN: What are your regrets?

Every cute girl I don't talk to on the street that catches my eye. Thats a regret.

Everything to date I am happy about, no reason to complain.

AN447on Ask HN: Which should I use: Yahoo Groups, Facebook Groups or Google Groups?

GroupSpaces

AN447on Ask HN: How can I learn how to invest in the market?

Warren Buffets letters to shareholders would be a good place to start. Read all of them.

The intelligent investor and securities analysis by Ben Graham are essentially reading albeit abit dry.

I'd also recommend (when looking at equities) that you do lots and lots and lots of research on individual stocks and really get to know them before you take the plunge and fully understand why you've decided to buy.

Also, have an entrance and exit point on all investments. Unless you're going for the 'value investing' strategy buying and holding forever.

AN447on Ask HN: So, what'd you have for breakfast today?

Carrot/Apple smoothie (home made) + porridge (with blueberries)

AN447on How many single founder startups have been funded by YC?

Wasn't Loopt a single founder start-up?

AN447on Ask HN: What publications (online or paper) do you pay for?

Economist at 70% (student) discount/FT full blown corporate sub from my time there as a journalist

AN447on Ask HN: How are you securing your laptops in public places?

Only leave it around the university library, half these kids are far more affluent than me. So theft is the last thing on most people's agenda!

AN447on Ask HN: Best Startup City - Outside the USA?

London only if you have alot of capital behind you. Everything here is expensive so you better have a nice VC behind you. Finding a cheap place to stay in the city - Good luck mate.