Why do programmers go to work at Yandex?

Question

Yandex

The question is not rhetorical, but real - I'm really interested to know the real opinion (and not from articles) why programmers go to work for Yandex.

I have never worked at Yandex, but I talked to three friends who were interviewing with them. Two have passed all stages. One of them is junior, the other is middle. Both refused to work there after receiving an offer.

I remember the important features that Yandex uses:

1) One of the stages of the interview is always associated with algorithms (even though they will not be used in the work).

2) As a rule, the interview consists of at least three stages.

3) The requirements are higher than the average required for the position in question (especially for juniors).

4) Wages are lower than the market average.

My friend (junior) found out that about 100 people were considered for his position. Yes. the company offers various corporate goodies, but today this does not surprise anyone.

Therefore, I cannot understand: what exactly, from the point of view of a specialist, a programmer who goes to work with them can get? Especially experienced.

Answer 1

1) One of the stages of the interview is always associated with algorithms (even though they will not be used in the work).

Algorithms are used all the time. We're not just translating JSON :) One developer can write code in a day, while another will do more and better in 2 hours. Because he has better basic knowledge, algorithms, sometimes theory and experience. Or a situation when you need to understand a new unfamiliar technology, system. Here, too, the ability to quickly solve problems, analyze problems will help.

2) As a rule, the interview consists of at least three stages.

For experienced and high-grade developers, we conduct an additional section on Architecture, where completely different knowledge, not algorithms, is evaluated. Or about managing people/projects/... if we are talking about a managerial position.

3) The requirements are higher than the average required for the position in question (especially for juniors).

But this is unlikely. We have requirements, but the tasks are difficult. If we lower the bar, then a person simply will not cope with the tasks.

4) Wages are lower than the market average.

Such a delusion is present, I agree, sometimes I hear it. Talk to those who have been working here for a long time, what they say.
A particularly experienced specialist will receive a high total income in Yandex, which consists of options, signups at the entrance, bonuses based on the results of the review, a housing program of two types, and relocation.

What exactly from the point of view of a specialist can a programmer who goes to work with them get? Especially experienced.

The ability to choose a project for yourself in accordance with your level, the ability to change the project if you want to try something else (rotation), stability. The ability to focus on work and abstract from many everyday problems.

Answer 2

4) Wages are lower than the market average.

Armchair experts typically have a programmer salary = $100,500 million per minute. And then oppanki - the realities of the market! Without fairy tales and pink snot.

The requirements are higher than the average required for the position in question

Average considered position on what stack? On the web forms of slaps in JSC "Horns and Hooves" in a young, but very promising project? So don't confuse x with a tram handle.
Yandex is Yandex, not a shitty start-up or sitting around in a boring slate company.

One of them is junior, the other is middle. Both refused to work there after receiving an offer.

lol, just funny. No one fucking needed June refused to work at Yandex, apparently he left to program in the office of the plant for the production of reinforced concrete products in Muhosransk, to maintain a business card website. What are you talking about?))))
The author was chased out of Yasha with fucking rags, he was offended and dashed off an angry post.

Answer 3

I have been working at Yandex as a developer for almost a year.
I can answer some questions.
There is a separate page about interviews for technical vacancies.
https://yandex.ru/jobs/ya-interview/
An interview usually consists of three stages.
1. Skype preliminary
2. Usually a series of face-to-face interviews
3. Getting to know the teams.
At stages 1 and 2, developers solve problems using algorithms. Moreover, you need to solve problems on paper or on a marker board.
To say that algorithms will not be used in the work of a programmer is a rather bold statement :) Then you need to prepare for the review of your PRs very convincingly about the effectiveness of the chosen solutions.
About the number of people per position. I don't know where this number comes from. Of the number of people currently being interviewed? Well, it's not an indicator at all. If the team is ready to invite you to their place, then this will be clarified at the third stage of the interview.
And in general, the number of vacancies is quite large ( https://yandex.ru/jobs/vacancies/dev/), I think you can tell the recruiter in advance which area you are interested in.
I'm not ready to say that the salary is lower than the market average. As far as I know, none of the vacancies indicate the exact value of the salary. Fork everywhere. And probably you need to conduct research to find out how much you cost in all companies :)
Plus, in comparison with other companies, the corporate package stands out for the better (compared, for example, with Sberbank).
Yandex is big and different. There are new technologies and big data. Yandex has a huge number of users. A wide variety of services. Yandex knows how to make unmanned vehicles :) Plus, the overall level of programmers is very high.
If you have any questions or interest, I'll try to answer.

Answer 4

Working in large companies is good for juniors. Pluses pathos record, pulling you up to a higher level (if you're lucky), learning new technologies.
That's where the pluses end.
Then there are the downsides.
the salary is lower than the market
sweatshop
you are a
crown gear here: it is a great honor to work in our company
In general, treat with healthy cynicism and remember that most likely you will change this job in 2 or 4 years
In general, do not take anything to heart except money

Answer 5

Everyone decides for himself what he works for. By working, you give time and get not only money, but experience, connections, and a name.
What is more important for you now and where it will lead in 5-10 years is your personal decision.
About algorithms and data structures. In fact, you don't need no fp, no opp, nothing at all - draw code like a true artist in accordance with your grand design.
Just as you have the right not to know because you decide so, the employer has the right to demand the knowledge that he considers important.

Answer 6

Juniors generally don’t have to choose much, they most often don’t understand what they need, but middles and above often go after interesting projects, since Yandex is a huge machine with a lot of options for work (in which, by the way, salaries are different).

Answer 7

Why do programmers go to work at Yandex?

It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to such a question. The reasons for people can be completely different.
You listed several reasons that you probably consider negative. I don't consider them as such.

1) One of the stages of the interview is always associated with algorithms (even though they will not be used in the work).

Being a programmer and even not being one, you are always (always always) dealing with algorithms. Some skills here are generally basic. How are you going to work if you can not estimate the complexity / time of work of what you wrote, at least approximately? An unprofessional developer will not be able to, I think.
And this does not imply knowledge of all standard algorithms and data structures. It simply implies the ability to use some standard tools in the necessary and sufficient volume so as not to write absolutely monkey code and correctly select data structures and algorithms that have long been implemented, depending on the tasks being solved.
A couple of years ago, in the algorithmic section of Yandex, they did not give anything that could not be solved in an hour without any preparation at all. And if we take into account the fact that the decision itself is not so important, but the process of reflection is important ... Well, then everything depends on the interlocutor, this is where Yandex really has a problem, since people are not specially trained for this and very often they ask algorithmic sections to conduct anyhow. That is, perhaps a first-class technical specialist, but who, alas, does not understand why he came here and what is required of him.

2) As a rule, the interview consists of at least three stages.

Well, there's nothing unusual about that. Quite an acceptable practice for large companies. They usually have a significantly higher number of responses to vacancies than small companies. They need to process those responses and can afford to choose.

3) The requirements are higher than the average required for the position in question (especially for juniors).

Perhaps, but the level of tasks and prospects are different. With more likelihood.

4) Wages are lower than the market average.

This is a very subtle point. There are different people. Some jump every year to a new job, where they were offered 10-15k rubles a month more or free parking as a benefit. Some people know how to plan further than a month and understand how and what benefits can be gained from working in a company like Yandex, depending on the goals. Some (surprise surprise!) just like to work on something specific. I'm not trying to condemn or advise anyone here, I just want to say that a high salary level is far from everything.

Answer 8

is there a choice?

Answer 9

Therefore, I cannot understand: what exactly, from the point of view of a specialist, a programmer who goes to work with them can get? Especially experienced.

People are paid not for something, but in order to have someone to work, so that those who pay them do not work.
The answer is obvious: apart from the fact that he will receive a record in the labor force - NOTHING in terms of experience growth!