I need advice. What would you do if you were in my position?

[Jose Campana]

"As you think you shall become"

For those who probably remember my last topic on this forum, I did mention my intention to study computer science, and furthermore to try and give it a shot at working for Google.

Not so much time has passed since then, and a fortunate series of 'lucky' circumstances have taken place. Casually a co-worker of mine, with whom I used to have lunch with everyday until he resigned, told me in one of his last days at the company, that his best friend is a former Google Employee, who now runs his own company, and that I should pass him my CV because he was looking for someone to join a small team of developers who are in charge of some of Facebook's and Orkut's apps.

I was interviewed by him yesterday. and my gut tells me I did well. (especially because he subtly hinted his interest in me by asking what's my availability), and there's a big chance I can get in there.

Now, there's another co-worker here at my present company who has described to a better extent to me, what my future boss(the former-Google employee) would be like. I arrived today at work before my co-worker, and because he knew I was interviewed yesterday, he immediatly asked me about it when he arrived. Then he stated a warning, that I present to you literally:

"Dude, be careful, he will be an unusual boss. He was once winner at the google summer of code event. By this I mean, that he tolerates No funny Business, If he detects the slightest hint of incompetence in you, He will fire you right then and there!... He is really known to be THAT ruthless"

Now... The job is a dream come true. As far as I understood, I'd working indirectly for google using Google app Engine. and programming using Python.
I'm Stable in my current job and I can't afford being unemployed because I just bought an apartment which I'm paying monthly.

I am confident I would fit well in my new job. But it scares me to death the way I was warned by my friend.

In your opinion how difficult is it to work using Google App Engine with Python? (If possible rate it from 1 to 10 where 1 is the easiest)

Being a Core Java Developer myself, would it be hard to make the transition from java to Python ?

Would you risk becoming unemployed ?

Please discuss.

Best Regards,

Jose

[W. Joe Smith]

I'm willing to bet this gets moved to the Job Discussion forum, since it appears you are looking for real advice. Here in meaningless drivel, you will get some very strange, and very unhelpful, answers. This particular forum is for, well, meaningless stuff. I think in the descirption it is even said that anything that starts to have real meaning will be locked/moved to a serious forum.

[Bear Bibeault]

"Dude! Ignore your probably-jealous co-worker and listen to your own gut." This guy is unlikely to hire you in the first place if he thinks you can't cut the mustard.

[Jose Campana]

Bear Bibeault wrote:"Dude! Ignore your probably-jealous co-worker and listen to your own gut." This guy is unlikely to hire you in the first place if he thinks you can't cut the mustard.

Well Bear, I hope he was. One very important thing I forgot to mention was that, my current co-worker was the one who finally convinced me to send over my CV. It's a coincidence that both of my friends know this guy(the employer), And I can only say the best things about my co-worker; He gave me free lessons about the frameworks that I'll likely be working with, Django, Ruby on rails, and App Engine two weeks prior to my interview. He also confessed to me that he failed his interview, and that If I was serious about it, He would be happy to arrange some weekend time to teach me further. He really is a nice and selfless man.

I had to say this.....

Then of course he stated his warning because probably he doesn't wanna feel responsible for me becoming unemployed. He's conscious of what I'm about to risk. The Stakes are High....

Jose.

[Greg Charles]

What do you mean you bought an apartment? Usually, you rent an apartment or buy a house (or condo). The reason I ask is you can get insurance that will pay your mortgage if you lose your job. I'm not sure if there's an equivalent for rentals, but there might be. So, take the job and buy insurance if you are worried.

[Jose Campana]

Hi there Greg

I got a loan from a bank. So I pay the loan monthly.

I hope someone would also give me advice on the specific questions I asked. I'm really nervous, and impatient., and desperately anxious.

Help !

Jose

[Bear Bibeault]

What's your tolerance for risk? Each person has different levels. Is it worth a shot at your dream job to take the risk? Do you have a family to support? Other financial obligations?

[Jose Campana]

I can not be unemployed for more than a month, maybe two, it comes down to that.

Why?

[Jose Campana]

I have news about this position.

The interviewer (my possible future boss) has expressed personal interest in me. He wrote an email to me, and literally said he definitely wants me to join his work force.
It's interesting to mention though, That this only happened after he initially rejected me; And I convinced him afterwards that I'm the perfect candidate for the position in spite of me having no adequate knowledge on Python or Google Frameworks.

This coming from a former Google employee is certainly flattering, and an honor to me.

What do you guys think ?

[Sandeep Awasthi]

This is one side which is good side. Other side as you mentioned he fires anyone if he does not feel person is not preforming to his expectation. As Bear pointed out what is your tolerance of risk, which is other side. My suggestion is think from both sides and then make decision. I don't have intention to create negative thoughts in your mind, but it is better to think on everything before making decision.

[Jose Campana]

Hi there !

It's the most difficult decision I've been faced with in my entire life. And the time is running out. Tonight I'm meeting the CTO, and my guess is, he will be just detailing the terms of my contract. I'm pretty much hired as far as I know; Which makes it all more complicated, Because I feel there's no turning back. Why would I push so hard to get something I'll turn down once I get.... There's no honor in that- So, That's the kind of situation I'm into right now.

I feel my only choice right now, is to become the best I can in these technologies; And make sure I won't disappoint. I've been making sure of that, doing all the tutorials I can on Java-to-Python, reading a lot, practicing a lot, and testing the Google App Engine of course !

Let's see what happens, I'll report tomorrow.

Jose

[Pradeep bhatt]

Congratulations Jose!

[Deepak Bala]

Congrats. It looks to me like you are scared out of your pants. At the least, that should keep you going

As for the risk taking, there is always some risk no matter where you are. How much risk you are willing to take and how best it suits you is a personal decision. Good luck

[Steve Adam]

Congratulations !
I feel happy for u.

You are selected for this job so that make you a deserving candidate.
I m sure you will be able to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

All the best

[Mohammed Yousuff]

It really good opportunity which you got ... go head all the best

[Campbell Ritchie]

Good luck and congratulations on being offered that job.

[Pat Farrell]

Congrats. Sure there is risk, there is risk in life.

Startups rarely, if ever, have employment contracts, I've been at several that simply didn't make it. Its part of a startup. You start with the smartest, hardest working folks you can find, and work long and hard. Sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn't. But you always learn a lot.

I love startups, but I have a fairly high tolerance for being unemployed.

[shan Iyer]

On the aspect of having a tough boss, I would like to say that negotiating tough bosses successfully is more of a mind game than your technical skills. The attitude that must be projected to a tough boss is that you care a rat's ass to his "toughness" or "ruthlessness" and that you never get intimidated whatever may be the situation, however critical. The secret is to have perfect control over your nerves under all circumstances because any signs of nervousness or fear from you would give him an opening to gain "control" over you. And then , not having adequate technical skills would just become an excuse to relegate you or even show you the door.
Sometimes, an heated argument or two with him on work related issues would also work positively for you.

I know of a technical architect with very average technical skills who negotiates a tough manager successfully by giving him a taste of his own medicine, by standing up to him and even giving back sharp,pointed answers when necessary.