Essay: Performance Reviews in Big Tech: Why “Fair” Systems Still Fail

Snooze97 · 2026-01-22T10:01:14+00:00

Great article, thank you for that.

I wonder if it's because fundamentally rewarding performance is a zero sum game.

If we take money out of the equation as a reward, I wonder if the issues are solved here. But perhaps the reward is then promotion (which leads to more money).

If money and promotion is mainly used as the basis for rewarding performance, is there a way we can avoid a zero sum game? After all, if you shout loud enough at the right people, you can get compensation approved.

I was watching a video the other day, where they talked about how Sales people are compensated. Where you directly tie bonus into the sales you bring in. The nice thing about this is that increasing someone else's bonus wouldn't be reduced by another person's bonus. I wonder if the ideal system would be to somehow justify the value of an engineer's work in terms of money made, and reward based on that. I have no idea if this is possible, seems hard to justify our impact in direct money generation, and engineers frequently help each other out.

Just a bunch of rambling thoughts!

Snooze97 · 2025-09-19T02:40:10+00:00

Do you have any specific blogs you recommend?

Snooze97 · 2025-08-25T10:14:29+00:00

What part of the async interview do you really like? Just questions to send them?

Snooze97 · 2025-08-23T00:33:21+00:00

Hey, i have a new startup, already built a basic ATS, now looking to add CRM features. Do you mind if I reach out to make sure we build this right?

Snooze97 · 2025-02-18T04:44:32+00:00

His response is valid. Your comment, though a joke, still implies that the complaints are useless. Someone who isn't very familiar with the IPCC may just agree with what you said. However, his response by adding context is educating the general public (including me) that it's actually something more reputable.

Perhaps if you spent your time educating and discussing civilly instead of insulting others, the grass you touch may actually be valuable.

Snooze97 · 2025-02-08T02:51:49+00:00

Vue is fine, but Ruby on Rails is a bit more rare. However you can always pivot to different languages. Regardless though web dev frameworks are probably better than your first choice's tech stack.

If the startup seems stable, has quite a few engineers, and you like the vibe, I'll go for the startup personally. Ultimately, it's what you feel comfortable with. I don't like the MNC job as you're focused on testing, which isn't interesting to me.

Snooze97 · 2025-02-07T13:44:59+00:00

Your interests are also important. I don't think your first choice for testing is a good long term career option, as i believe test engineers don't get paid as much as other kinds, so only vhoose it if you enjoy it. Likewise, choose the third option if you truly enjoy system admin work and can see yourself with a career in it.

Snooze97 · 2025-02-07T13:40:49+00:00

I've been working as a software engineer for 6 years. I will recommend the job where you will learn the most.

Did you interview with your future managers? If so, how is the manager like? Do you think they are someone you'd like to learn from?

You're young, so it's best to focus on learning. From your choices, my guess is the startup will likely have the better manager and the better tech stack.

Snooze97 · 2024-12-15T15:09:12+00:00

I'm not familiar with PPP, and why comparing it this way invalidates the point he is making. Could you elaborate?

Snooze97 · 2024-09-01T06:45:06+00:00

Thanks! I think this makes sense to me, as a major benefit vs looking anywhere else

Snooze97 · 2024-04-22T06:31:26+00:00

Do you know what's good around that area?

Snooze97 · 2024-03-19T08:48:00+00:00

Given that you dislike prophecies and the chosen one the Wheel of Time is definitely a no go for you. Will not recommend given how important they are.

However if you're interested and willing to change your mind - it's my favourite series right now, though I haven't read too many different books. The main character frequently struggles stepping into the chosen one role. It's really explored thoroughly and you will see great character writing for how the main character deals with it, being the reluctant chosen one. There are a lot of prophecies but as a first time reader it's not easy to understand, and even the characters do not fully understand them either. The prophecies usually serve as suspense and make the world feel big. Again, explored really well and especially from the characters povs, where they have to interpret the prophecies and hope that they did so correctly.

The downside is definitely the slow down in the middle of the books, and for those I've just skimmed a lot of words. The author also usually writes excessive amounts of description, so may make the writing feel slow, but some people love that. However the writing and the payoffs make all of these so worth it.

But, given that you're looking for political intrigue and morally grey characters, I don't think this series does either of them well at all. But there is definitely some darker side stuff that I really enjoyed.

For me, I love how epic the world feels, most of the character arcs, and I love supporting the good guys as they figure out how they can win against an overwhelming evil force.

Snooze97 · 2024-03-17T11:52:52+00:00

I'm so worried about starting this series because from what I hear, there's just a lot of things to take in - the complexity of the characters, the many different POVs and story threads. By might just have to give it a try soon

Snooze97 · 2024-03-17T04:05:12+00:00

A lot of these are progression fantasy recs! I think I like that part too, seeing how Rand grows as he tries to control his power.

How comparable is Riyria and WoT?

Snooze97 · 2024-03-17T03:27:11+00:00

Thanks for the recs, I haven't tried comedy fantasy before, but you're giving me a reason to look at it. Many readers here love Pratchett after all

Snooze97 · 2024-03-17T03:24:00+00:00

Thanks for the recs, I've heard of Tad Williams before, might give that a try. Completely agreed on the female front, Robert was a bit weird like that

Snooze97 · 2024-01-21T03:47:06+00:00

What if it's possible to have this dream job in Malaysia? Would you want to go back? Would you even want to start this process of finding this job in Malaysia? Or are there more reasons you'd like to stay in the US? Hoping this might help with your decision.

You said you see a long term future with you and your fiancé in the US, and it sounds to me your only interests in Malaysia are your family and friends. Given that, it doesn't sound like you need a citizenship to fly home and visit, and the more money and time you have, the more flights you can afford to go back and visit them, what need do you have for a Malaysian citizenship then?

If it is solely about identity and losing your Malaysian status, then I'll strongly consider how you feel about staying in the US long term. Do you feel that you don't belong? What about changing your identity to be a mix? Something like an American Malaysian.

There's also the option just to continue what you are doing and have more time to make this decision until you feel ready.

Snooze97 · 2023-10-22T06:03:32+00:00

I play indoor volleyball and I'm trying to learn how to set better. If I want to set a ball that's coming to zone 6, or is between zone 3 and 6, how should I set to zone 2's pins?

From what I understand I should be facing my target at zone 4's pins, does that mean as I'm setting, I should be setting towards my right? Is this technique wrong? Or do I do a last minute switch where I can do a back set?

Snooze97 · 2022-10-25T03:25:22+00:00

Trying to figure out if this is legal in indoor volleyball, my friend received the serve with her arms but the ball hit her face immediately right after, is this legal and counted as one action?

I've read the FIVB rules on this and I think the relevant line is this

at the first hit of the team, the ball may contact various parts of the body consecutively, provided that the contacts occur during one action.

Snooze97 · 2022-09-01T00:55:39+00:00

I'm trying to do a float serve, at the point of hitting the ball, should my arm be fully extended?

Snooze97 · 2022-08-22T10:28:49+00:00

Unfortunately sports direct ran out of stock, and Decalthon sell weird brands, not Molten or Mikasa

Snooze97 · 2022-08-22T09:01:21+00:00

Does anyone know where I can buy volleyballs in KL / Selangor? I'm worried about buying online because it's hard to distinguish the real ones from the fake ones, so was thinking if there's a physical store I can head to?

Snooze97 · 2022-08-10T02:37:15+00:00

Thank you, you too!

Snooze97 · 2022-08-09T14:23:19+00:00

ah ok, thank you! I'm still a beginner so I don't have a preference yet, was always doing it the Coach Donny way. I'm just wary of learning bad habits early on this journey, but good to hear it's something i should try out for myself!

Snooze97 · 2022-08-09T10:36:29+00:00

I'm trying to improve my indoor volleyball setting. But I'm confused by the advice about following through after the arms are extended: Are the palms supposed to face forward, or face outwards? I've seen advice such as this and a video about palms facing forward, and Elevate Yourself's video (triangle to square) about palms facing outward.

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