Google

Very good comp and perks compared to other local employers. Google really does have some of the smartest employees in the world.

Working at Google is a positive feedback loop. If you start off well, you are given more opportunities and can continue to do well. If you don’t, you are given insignificant and uninspiring work, which makes it difficult or impossible to get a good performance review, and you will have trouble transferring to a team where you could do better. Sydney is very much a minor branch office; the range and ambition of local projects are minimal compared to headquarters.

Layoffs are stressful for everybody, regardless of the ultimate outcome, and a reminder that despite all the PR, you’re only there to make the shareholders rich.