Is it wise to tell a company that I don’t want to interview with them because they are backed by Peter Thiel’s VC? Will that get me blacklisted from all Peter Thiel backed companies?
Posted by Throwaway081920231@reddit | ExperiencedDevs | View on Reddit | 78 comments
I am currently in talks with a recruiter for a startup whose biggest backer and investor is Peter Thiel’s VC. I am probably being naive here but I don’t really want to work anywhere that’s funded by or has links to either Thiel or Musk. I am curious how much it would hurt me long term if I tell the recruiter that I don’t want to interview because they are associated with Thiel. I realize that in the case of a layoff or unemployed, I or anyone else would not have that luxury and would take any job.
afty698@reddit
Just tell them you’re not interested. No need to elaborate.
Shazvox@reddit
This. You don't need to flaunt your personal opinions. All they need to hear is "no thank you". If they ask why, just say you don't think you're a good match.
mercival@reddit
Both this comment and the one above are so obvious too.
"Should I burn bridges? Can burning bridges hurt me later? Please advise".
Feels a bit performative to me for an experienced dev.
Shazvox@reddit
If it was that obvious then the question would not have been asked.
mercival@reddit
Calling out bullshit is expected experienced dev behaviour. But ymmv.
Shazvox@reddit
Identifying bullshit is absolutely expected experienced dev behaviour. However a person asking a question and other people replying truthfully is hardly "bullshit".
mercival@reddit
Agree to disagree. It was very much a "look at me, I don't like Thiel, aren't I great! What obviously happens if I make that known?". Very performative and unnecessary to post, or tell recruiters.
johnnyslick@reddit
Beyond flaunting anything, these people know what they’re doing and don’t care what you think about them. On the other hand you have absolutely nothing to gain from telling them this and additionally an employer who openly embraces people like Musk or Thiel has no right to know that this is why people are refusing to work for them.
Look at it another way: if they get a lot of feedback about this, what do you think is the more likely option? They dissociate with Musk and Thiel, who have an awful lot of money to give them? Or do they obfuscate that connection, fool people such as yourself into getting a job with them, and then hope you won’t leave once you’ve signed on / possibly uprooted your family to work for them?
At most if you think the association isn’t obvious, write a review about them on Glassdoor (but even then, anonymously and perhaps a few weeks later so they can’t tie it to you).
SmolLM@reddit
But then how will he signal his virtue to the world?
PragmaticBoredom@reddit
If you get flagged in their ATS (which is company-specific, not shared across the VC funded companies) it will be for wasting the recruiter’s time.
They just want to do their job, not get lectured.
Economy-Owl-5720@reddit
I mean it’s valid feedback. Recruiters do actually care to know.
chipmunksocute@reddit
For real. If I think a recruiter might be actual helpful Ill tell them what jobs and domains I DO want otherwise just say its not what youre interested in.
floopsyDoodle@reddit
A) There is no Thiel blacklist, no one cares, I wish more people cared one way or the other, but most don't.
B) If there was, why would you not want to be on it if you don't want to work for Thiel backed companies?
soggycheesestickjoos@reddit
B) Reread OPs last sentence
floopsyDoodle@reddit
Gone now, sorry if I missed the explanation.
Kolt56@reddit
Op: I am currently in talks with a recruiter for a startup whose biggest backer and investor is Peter Thiel’s VC. I am probably being naive here but I don’t really want to work anywhere that’s funded by or has links to either Thiel or Musk. I am curious how much it would hurt me long term if I tell the recruiter that I don’t want to interview because they are associated with Thiel. I realize that in the case of a layoff or unemployed, I or anyone else would not have that luxury and would take any job.
soggycheesestickjoos@reddit
something along the lines of layoffs or tough market meaning they’ll need to take any job they can get
harbinger_of_dongs@reddit
Then they clearly just answered their own question lol
ExperiencedDevs-ModTeam@reddit
Rule 3: No General Career Advice
This sub is for discussing issues specific to experienced developers.
Any career advice thread must contain questions and/or discussions that notably benefit from the participation of experienced developers. Career advice threads may be removed at the moderators discretion based on response to the thread."
General rule of thumb: If the advice you are giving (or seeking) could apply to a “Senior Chemical Engineer”, it’s not appropriate for this sub.
aq1018@reddit
I think this is the moment you choose to do what you believe in, instead of cowering in fear. We all can make a difference.
scungilibastid@reddit
100
tonjohn@reddit
💯
FarYam3061@reddit
no, what are you hoping would happen? in fact you don't have to say anything
fryOrder@reddit
overthrow Peter Thiel. the man’s gotta go
LeetcodeFastEatAss@reddit
You answered your own question with your last sentence.
MrAwesume@reddit
What's the problem with getting blacklisted from all Peter Thiel backed companies?
_hypnoCode@reddit
Just adding to some of the other replies. People move companies too, most people who don't put full on blinders on know the problems. I work with some VERY progressive people who have worked for Thiel's companies in the past, long before recent events.
I'm pretty sure there are 2 trans girls I've met at work who were at Palantir alone.
Ok_Barracuda_1161@reddit
OP states it in the post, they don't want to limit their options if in the future they are unemployed and can't afford to be picky.
MrAwesume@reddit
Oof, my lack of reading comprehension gets me again..
dashingThroughSnow12@reddit
They mention that the biggest backer and investor is Peter Thiel’s VC.
OP might not care about working for a company where Thiel owns 1% of it or was investor number 54 of 69 in round 5 of 7 of a startup.
thesauceisoptional@reddit
Hello, fellow logic practitioner. This is like writing a unit test to pass only perfect cases.
geek_fire@reddit
Most people are getting this wrong. The question you have to ask yourself is if there are things that are more important to you than maximizing your earnings (like continuing to live in a free, liberal democracy.) if the answer is yes, you should try them that taking money from people who want to destroy America is hurting them. Hopefully, more people will do so, and they'll change their ways. But even if not, you've tried to make the world better. And if the answer is no, you should just take the job.
writebadcode@reddit
It might be worth interviewing just for the practice. You’ll be doing the world a service by wasting their time.
Interviews are really tough these days, so there’s a good chance that they won’t extend an offer anyway. If they do, you can reject it.
bonnydoe@reddit
Just say 'I got a better offer'. Let's test your conviction at what price you would say 'yes' ;)
would-i-hit@reddit
yikes dude
fhgwgadsbbq@reddit
No one would care but I'd proudly put "blacklisted from Thiel group" on my linked in !
DanishWeddingCookie@reddit
So you don't want to interview because they are backed by Peter Thiel's VC, but don't want to get blacklisted from companies backed by Peter Thiel's VC..... ?
warriormonk5@reddit
This isn't really experienced devs level of conversation.
Any interaction you have you need to ask yourself what outcome are you looking for.
If the only upside you can come up with is a temporary emotional catharticism: then it's best to keep that opinion to yourself or save it for a rant over beer with like minded folks.
30thnight@reddit
If there was ever a blacklist, I promise you it wouldn’t be hard to identify you based on this post.
light-triad@reddit
It’s very unlikely what you tell the recruiter will make its way back to Peter thiel.
If you don’t want to work at this company why would you want to work at another company backed by him?
ZukowskiHardware@reddit
There is no reason
The_Dunk@reddit
If you don’t want to work at a company related to Peter why would it matter if you’re blacklisted by them all?
Either you give that as a reason and don’t care if you’re blacklisted or you just don’t mention your reason. Right?
Groove-Theory@reddit
Is this blacklist in the room with us right now?
wrex1816@reddit
Weird question. If you're turning down one company due to his involvement, then why not the others?
I'm don't particularly care either way of your reasons, you're allowed to feel how you feel but nobo6goves a fuck why.
progmakerlt@reddit
Why not to simply say that “you don’t want to proceed with the interview process” at this point of time. No need to explain reasons.
And then move on.
r_s@reddit
My suspicion is that the recruiter is going to shrug and move on to next candidate. Its not like the people funding are going to here about this.
tonjohn@reddit
Fwiw I raised ethical concerns to my Blizzard recruiter, they followed up with me to learn more, and then they quit. So some might listen, care, and take what action they can.
SpiritedEclair@reddit
Recruiter is not paid enough to care nor in the position to tbh.
notquitezeus@reddit
Hiring is an information game. What you don’t tell people is as important (and often more so) than what you don’t.
Generally I’ll respond to recruiters with a polite, firm, “I am a poor fit”
Sometimes, I’ll be very specific because they’ve annoyed me. For example, the person yesterday who sent me a 7 page list of every technology invented over the last 10 years as a requirement. I made it very clear in my response that they’re wasting candidates time with what is a) clearly AI schlock, and b) a fishing expedition for a unicorn, and c) a very clear indication that the founders don’t have a clue about what they’re actually trying to build.
poipoipoi_2016@reddit
It will absolutely get you blacklisted by all companies backed by Thiel's people yes.
Which is why you don't tell them why.
/What did you think "I don't hire anyone over 30' meant?
CryptoHorologist@reddit
If you don't want to burn bridges, don't. Simple as that. The solution is contained in the text of your question.
danknadoflex@reddit
Not your business to lecture them just tell them no and move on you’ll gain nothing from this
mercival@reddit
"Hi, I'm no longer interested".
Beyond grandstanding, why do you think you need to say anything else?
tdatas@reddit
No. They don't even talk to each other.
Time_Trade_8774@reddit
Salute you. Lot of people including me who works at FAAANG will never work at that piece of shits company.
roleplay_oedipus_rex@reddit
Lol one could argue Meta is just as bad but ok.
mercival@reddit
Is Apple the least rotten of the bunch?
roleplay_oedipus_rex@reddit
Probably Netflix to be honest.
nickchomey@reddit
if you dont want to work for this company because you dont like that they are backed by him, why are you concerned that it might get you blacklisted from all of his companies? Either he is a suffficient reason or not...
Either way, I dont think you need to say this. Or, conversely, say it loudly in a blog post and go work for anti-Thiel if this is something you feel that strongly about...
bartekus@reddit
If you decline, frame it around principles, not people. Smart folks, even those you disagree with, can respect values-based reasoning. However if you make it personal, they’ll dismiss your point and likely retaliate. So yeah, express your strongly held conviction like a reputational judo, and critique systems, not figureheads.
Syntactico@reddit
Low-IQ energy
Syntactico@reddit
No, but it will make them think you're a tool whose perspectice of reality is skewed too much by the news.
One-Constant420@reddit
Experienced dev and you think the real world is reddit or something? Do you think the recruiter is gonna tell you you're on the right side of history and upvote your resume? Nobody cares about your grandstanding. Loser.
nousernamesleft199@reddit
Wouldn't you want to be on this blacklist though?
seinfeld4eva@reddit
If you think a recruiter for a startup is sharing lists of people who don't like Peter Theil with other recruiters, well, that does sound naive.
differentshade@reddit
lol, recruiter removes you from his excel table and that is that
johanneswelsch@reddit
The problem can very often be seen in the mirror.
A few years ago when the media told you to love Musk and Thiel, you were worshipping them. Later when the media told you to hate them, you started hated them. Maybe it's time to have your own opinion and not what oligarchs and weapons manufacturers tell you on TV that they own?
SkullLeader@reddit
Not interested, thank you. Period and full stop. Why is none of their business.
dfltr@reddit
It’s kind of a tough one. I think it’s less about whether it’ll hurt you than whether it’ll help you, and it probably won’t help you.
I think of it like, do I want these fuckers to reap the whirlwind for their selfish, garbage ideas and actions? Yes. Is telling off a recruiter going to make progress toward that goal? It maybe could if there were an organized effort, but me emailing them on my own probably isn’t it.
berndverst@reddit
If there was such a list (there is not) I'd also like to get on it 😀
mss-cyclist@reddit
What's the difference? Provided they would put you on blacklist: you would not work for another company of Peter Thiel, would you?
If you would you could just as well continue with your current interview.
sfbay_swe@reddit
Doesn’t sound wise to me. Good on you for deciding who to work for, but what’s the upside for you in telling them your reasoning for not wanting to interview there?
siqniz@reddit
No, just let it go. say something that they'd say, perosnal reasons or just ghost them
SherbertResident2222@reddit
No-one will care in the slightest.
Successful-Air-4584@reddit
Depends how much you trust the recruiter. If you can find another albeit trivial thing that’s wrong with the job. That’s also a course.
But to the point: if you don’t want to be near a Peter Thiel company then being blacklisted by then wouldn’t be a bad thing then. They would be doing the work for you, no?
Firm_Bit@reddit
Wise depends on your goals. If you don’t want to work for thiel then what does it matter if you get blacklisted.
Probably not though. You’re not anywhere near important enough to keep track of.
rco8786@reddit
No it’s fine. It’s not as though they are keeping some sort of permanent record about your opinion of Peter Thiel. I passed on a good offer because one of the main investors was Jared Kushner. It’s fine.
PragmaticBoredom@reddit
They don’t care. They will just remove you from their candidates list and move on.