Pinterest

In the competitive, career-driven life of the Bay Area, as a software engineer, you either have the choice to join a cut-throat, "fast-paced" environment which is insensitive and ruthless in their approach towards their employees. Work-life balance is the price you pay to work at the most coveted places here in the valley.

Or you can join a mediocre company, sit and relax, rest and vest, while yearning for exciting challenges at work that never seem to come by. You can tell yourself that since you have work-life balance, you don't need to enjoy work and learning.

But then comes Pinterest, that takes the best of both worlds and creates a culture that I, personally, have never seen. Pinterest's culture shows us that in order to work in an organization consisting of some of the smartest people in the valley, you don't have to compromise on personal life.

The work-life balance hits a sweet spot here where you can have immense impact due to the small size of the company and yet go home on time and relax with your family. People are very nice here - too nice, I think!

We used to have a cultural fit interview round until very recently. I also know of brilliant jerks who were fired simply because they were not nice to people.

I feel so much at home when I go to work every day. Touch wood! )

Slow-paced - Although it would come at a cost, we need more aggressive, go-getter kind leaders who can take Pinterest to the next level. I genuinely feel that Pinterest has great potential, but we are not going fast enough. We can be worth a lot more if we play our cards right, but it feels like we are missing that leadership that can do this for us.

Also, no bonus, no 401k, and a weird refresh vesting schedule :(

Hire intelligently, take bigger risks.