Canva

• Lots of smart people in engineering.
• Interesting product with plenty of impact to customers around the world.
• Breakfast and lunch provided; great vibe and team who look after us very well.
• Dynamic environment which allows you to do interesting things as a software engineer.

Canva is the ultimate example of believing its own PR. When you read the fluff pieces in the media, you get the idea that it's a great place where all of your dreams will come true. You think that you will have supportive leadership who care about you. You think that it's an amazing place to work where you have independence and can make your own choices.

This is all fake news. I have never been in a place where leadership is so restrictive and controlling. You will be destroyed if you say something that opposes a founder's opinion. The tight circle of trust is made from long-term employees and friends of the founders. I am out the door as soon as I find a new job.

Recently, good leadership has been let go in Engineering, and the keys given to people who are not qualified to be junior engineers, let alone team leaders. Bad decisions are being made all over the place. It is a mess.

Don't take a job at Canva unless you can cope with endlessly changing priorities and important decisions made in seconds. Make sure you suck up to the right people. Always watch your back, because what is said to your face, and the smiles and "genuine niceness," all mask the backstabbing and personal agendas of the founders and the leaders they have put in place.

Get rid of your long-term employee deadwood. You know who they are. They are underqualified for their jobs and rule by fear and talking loudest. Get an entirely new leadership team. Realize that you are not always right and you need help. Accept criticism and be more humble.