Last friday, a journalist from Les Échos, a french newspaper, visited our office. During our casual conversation, a question came up: "What is the difference between French and American companies?" While this question appears very straightforward, there are many elements to consider.

Everything is relative to your own experience and working environments you may have been exposed to, so whenever you generalize you tend to overlook the exceptions. Today, I qualify as "software engineer" which, in the big leagues, consists of building scalable and robust applications across platforms, environments and languages. I've worked for three companies in Paris (Skyrock, Marathon Media, Mediaplazza) and four in the US (AgencyTen, Yahoo!, YouTube/Google and today Pinterest).

Almost a year ago. during the inauguration of the Google office in Paris, Nicolas Sarkozy tentatively tried to reply to a similar question. He mentioned that Silicon Valley's success comes from extremely good weather and proximity with good universities (such as Stanford). While those facts are true, his answer wasn't really satisfying.

The first difference between Paris and Silicon Valley? With no doubt: The free market. Talented engineers are really difficult to find, even worldwide, and there is an aggressive war between tech giants to acquire them. Companies as well as startups double their efforts to attract candidates: excellent product execution, friendly working environment, perks (free food, gym, swimming pool, transportation, discounts), good social benefits (great health care), and astonishing compensation packages along with good performance rewards.

In France, there's absolutely no free market. The government imposes a lot of charges, reducing or totally blocking investments for the most part. In addition, HR departments have grids of salaries, taking into account your age, your academic degree and your school. So you could be a genius with no degree, but your compensation package would be less than someone good at school but capable of nothing. As an example: a French bank offered me a job in 2009 for a web developer position, the compensation (700€ monthly) was extremely below Paris median salary. Another thing: if you're a very high performer compared to your coworkers, you don't necessarly get a reward for your hard work.

The second difference: working laws. The American laws are very strict: you cannot discriminate a candidate based on their age, religion, social situation, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. Those rules make environment more friendly, more respectful with less conflicts of interest.

Short example: at YouTube, I successfully managed for about nine months someone in her 40's (I was 24). In Paris in 2007, I conducted an interview for a university project. The interviewee made a joke: he wouldn't let someone younger manage him. In my career, I am surrounded by talented engineers and designers. Their capabilities and potential contributions to the company should only be the only thing that matters when making the call to hire, it shouldn't be a matter of age, gender, ethnicity or educational background. France has a lot of work to get done in this area.

Another part of the law that's interesting: Unless you have a 6-12 months contract, most employment in the US is at will. The company can thus lay you off at any time for any reason – and you can also leave the company at any time for any reason. It initially was something I had doubts about it but it ends up being a good thing. In fact, even if a company can lay someone off, they rarely do. It's really difficult to find talent, and it takes a lot of time to train them and make them productive. So if you hire and lay off, it's not necessarily something you can afford. If your performance is low, big companies usually have programs to improve employees’ productivity and your focus.

France is on the opposite side. Once you've completed your probation period, it's a lot more difficult to lay someone off. Leaving has to come from an agreement between you and the company – which requires a lot more back and forth with HR and other departments (legal). The interaction could be very simple but some companies tend to make the process extremely hard.

This painful situation never really happened to me since I had 12 months contracts but it happened to one of my friends – after expressing his intention to quit, the company required him to stay for more than six months in order to hire his replacement and transfer his knowledge. So the company he was supposed to work for had to wait.

The third difference: Massive opportunities. American companies are really looking for people to contribute and be involved. If you feel passionate about a topic, you can focus on it. There's really a very open environment for feedback and assignment.

With this perspective, I'm really grateful to provide the technical leadership for two visual redesigns of YouTube. Those initiatives were successful because I was surrounded by highly skilled, genuine and smart co-workers. It was a collaborative and less hierarchical environment. We all worked toward the same goal, so it improved efficiency on all levels.

Another example: I was able to build a multi-million dollar team within YouTube because people believed in my ideas and wanted to give it a try. It ended up being a successful experiment. In France, experimenting, building a team and hiring engineers is a lot more difficult due to the law. If the initiative fails, it's not easy to let them go. You also need to find people to believe in your initiatives – which is another story (in the French culture, the glass is half empty not half full.)

While this is changing rapidly (thanks to internet?), French companies have a lot of protocols. Talking to the CEO of a small organization is as difficult as talking to the CEO of Google or even Eric Schmidt. You can't easily engage an open conversation.

To conclude this (very long post): There are a lot more differences, but I believe they are all driven by these factors: Free market, working laws, protection against discrimination and absence of hierarchy. The American way allows people to really do what they love, to really not worry about a degree or a school, and if you want to do something, you can go ahead, take a risk, and try again until you succeed.

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At Google, I've interviewed a lot of candidates. A normal interview lasts about 45 minutes. During this timeframe, you have to determine whether the candidate is qualified for the job or not. And if not, eventually suggest where he/she can be a better fit.

The tech world is huge: there are many programming languages, many frameworks, and different working methodologies. Trying to identify perfect matches for the job description isn't easy, but one thing is sure: you want to hire the most talented individuals.

Let's start with the job description. Your project is rapidly growing and you need to increase the size of your workforce. You need someone to be able to do the front-end as well as the backend of your project. So, like many CEOs, you ask a recruiter to write a job posting based on your requirements.

Sadly, some recruiters don't know much of the technical part so they will just follow blindly your guidelines. It often ends up creating hilarious job description requiring engineers to have 5+ years of experience for a 3 year old framework. Or the candidate needs to be an expert in too many technologies. You will most likely find nobody.

I received so many job descriptions where the requirements are unrealistic. For example: you can't be a front-end engineer, dealing with browser specificity, i18n issues, and at the same time be a backend engineer designing scalable high traffic databases along with managing the server farms and supervising their expansion. Unless you can time travel, a restaurant cannot be run with one server doing everything. It also damages your credibility.

So how to avoid this uncomfortable situation? Ask a few engineers to review the requirements and give you feedback. You might end up learning that you will need to hire two people instead of one. And, if you want your project to be run properly, that's probably the right thing to do. The requirements are only one part of the job description but it's the most important part.

I've done interviews for a startup, initially on Skype, they then flew me to New York. After spending the day with them, they didn't extend to an offer, reason being I wasn't familiar enough with the service as a daily publisher/user. It would have saved a lot of time and money to emphasis on this requirement in the initial process.

The other parts of the job posting are easy as long as you remember to be original. For instance: don't use common adjectives to describe your team(s) (e.g. "smart"), be unique (e.g. "high 5ers"). Too many recruiters talk about the "Coolest and hottest startups in the valley".

Emails to candidates should be realistic and straightforward. Give as much information as possible: name of the company, information about the founders, describe how they envision their company: "We're hoping to make environment as attractive as Google, providing free lunch, good health care and a good work/life balance". There is no shame to start somewhere and be simple, no need to over emphase and overuse adjectives.

Once the recruiter has identified a pool of candidates, how do you recognize the ones that will perfectly fit? Check their resume, they show how long they've stayed in company, they show the projects they've contributed to, along with their role and involvement. It gives you a good estimation about the candidate capability to work with one or more teams, his flexibility, his passion, and his ability to learn and to deal with new challenges. Take also some time to read recruiter notes, they can have important information. Then starts the interviews.

I like to split them in 4 different parts. The first one, shorter, quickly introduces the conversation in which you should present yourself and explain briefly what you do in the company. It helps the candidate to understand why you are interviewing him for this position. The second step, slightly longer, retraces his/her current and past experiences, ask questions to see how he interacts with technology, projects and people. It adjusts the technical questions that follow.

Third part, the most critical and relevant: technical questions and problem solving exercises. The questions shows how well he/she understands the technology and its specificity, and the problems should be here to demonstrate cognitive abilities. Remember: you're here to help the candidate, so if you see he/she is not going far enough, give hints. A good candidate acknowledges hints and proactively try to solve the problems. I personally prefer someone who is capable to solve a problem with a beautiful solution than someone who knows only the technology and its specificity. Always avoid targeted and ended questions such as "have you worked in the past with x / y / z frameworks?", it should be on his resume.

When I was looking for a job in London, I noticed most companies were asking targeted and ended questions. For instance they asked if I was working in an agile environment, or if I had worked with Django in the past. Those are boolean questions which aren't showing the candidates ability to either work in an agile environment or to be proficient in those frameworks.

Q/A is done, time is almost running out: give some minutes to the candidate to ask you questions about yourself, the company, and the position. Talk about your work, why you think it's awesome to work here, give a sneak peek at the cool perks (free food, free micro kitchen). It will help him/her to make a wise choice if you extend an offer.

At the end of the interviews, you should be able to know why you're hiring this candidate specifically. You should be able to reply to those questions: what value will he add to the company? Will he be happy here? Will he/she be an active contributor? Would you like to work with him? Even mentor him if necessary?

Always remember: if a candidate doesn't fit the position he/she applied for, always feel free to suggest other openings. Talent is rare.

Additional good read: How to manage smart people by Scott Berkun.

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Today, I turned 24. When I look at all the things I've done over the years, I must admit, this year has been quite crazy.

I've travelled a little more than last year (Paris - two times, New York, Yosemite, Hawaii), attended LeWeb, and I've been involved in several important projects that have changed YouTube, such as technical leader on the visual redesign.

Also, for the last year, I've been applying for a green card. Despite my job at Google and my strong involvement within the company, getting one is still uncertain. But maybe I'll just be lucky?

Time will tell!

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Planning a trip to San Francisco for a weekend? Here are few things you might want to check during your stay, especially if this is your first time in the city of hearts!

In the contrary of New York, San Francisco is really small. It's easy to get around with public transportation (MUNI) and you should be able to get a lot done in two to three days. if you plan to stay for more, I would recommend to check the other cities of the Bay Area such as Berkeley, Palo Alto.

Let's get back to San Francisco. If you are into touristy spots, there are severals stops to make. In the order: Alcatraz (great visit during a foggy day), Golden Gate Bridge, Exploratorium, Alamo Square, Piers 39, Lombard Street, and of course Castro.

Close to the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a park worth visiting: Golden Gate Park. It has a couple of interesting attractions: Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Garden and de Young Museum.

Downtown San Francisco, you have another good museum: MOMA. It's smaller than the one in New York but the roof access and the exhibitions are often unique and original. Also downtown, there is the trolley (you often have to wait a long time before getting in, not sure it's "that" interesting to do).

San Francisco is a good place for organic food. There are couple of good restaurants that are often recommended: Chez Papa (French Cuisine), Basil Thai (Thai), Ozumo (American / Japanese fusion), Boulevard (American / French fusion), Slanted Door (Vietnamese), Osha (Thai), and Little Star (Deep Dish Pizza). There are a lot more, this is not an exhaustive list.

Feel free to give feedback about your own experience in San Francisco in the comments!

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When I was a kid, the only option I had to put my teeth in the right place was to use braces. My experience was, so to speak, horrible. It hurts. The metal can cut your mouth, you can't eat anything you want and you need to trust 100% your orthodontist.

Only 3 years after the braces have been removed, my teeth have moved again due to the lack of retainer and filings. Wearing braces again was not an option. So I look around for alternatives. That's how I discovered invisalign. Some co-workers at Google were really happy with the results and recommended it to me.

I looked for orthodontists in San Francisco and easily found one close to my apartment (convenient to live downtown). The price is really expensive (about 35% more than braces) for 10 months, if the treatment was longer, the price would have been the same tho.

When you start the invisalign process, the orthodontist gives you access to a website where you can preview the evolution of your teeth during the treatment. It somewhat reassures. In addition, he will give you your first sets of trays. I started with 3 bags and in each one tray for the top, one tray for the bottom. You switch them every two weeks (easy).

After 10 months, my teeth are back to normal. It was a very easy treatment and my overall experience was great. Since invisalign are transparent trays, you can remove them at anytime to eat or clean your teeth, you can also smile, nobody notices it since it's completely invisible.

The only condition (and you have to be serious about it) is to wear them a minimum of 20 hours per day (simple). When you switch trays, it can make your teeth sensible but it's about a day.

This article is non-sponsored, I just want to send a message to everyone who has the option to think between braces and invisalign. To be honest, I wish this technology was available when I was a kid.

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Today's event was highly expected by the Apple community. We were looking forward the iPhone 5 announcement along with the launch of new iOS. Instead Tim Cook presented the iPhone 4S that has no real innovation. I must admit, I have been quite disappointed.

I always wanted to have an iPhone just for the luxury to say "I have one" and be proud about it. Apple has been a permanent source of inspiration, and I have a giant respect for the company.

Regardless of all my passion for Apple, when you look at the iPhone in America, it comes along with a 2-year contract at $99/monthly with AT&T and Verizon (the worse companies to have a contract with). I pay today $50 monthly no-contract with T-Mobile (unlimited calls, unlimited text and unlimited web). I save about $50 per month ($600 per year, a trip to Hawaii).

The second thing is all the improvements Apple has made: they are nice but nothing is new. For example: Siri. When you attack the voice recognition, you also need to make sure this will work for everyone. I speak English with a French accent, this is definitely a feature that will give me an hard time.

When you look at what the competitors are up to, Apple is sadly really far behind: the screen, HD video and 8 Mega-Pixel camera are not big news. The improved performances are made for the new operating system. iOS still look amazing compared to Android but it is missing important key features.

I will wait for the next iPhone: 4G, a real bluetooth system, a good free navigation system and hopefully some interactions I've never seen before. Hopefully, we won't have to wait 16 months to have the same type of announcement.

Apple, I know you as a company of innovations, why are you now and today far behind?

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I discovered this weekend via a friend of mine a great movie: Splice. It's a French/Canadian movie directed by Vincenzo Natali and it is starring Adrien Brody (the Pianist) and Sarah Polley (Dawn of the Dead).

Plot: This great science-fiction movie is based on the story of two scientists: Clive and Elsa. For many years, the couple have tried to find a universal cure to human diseases such as cancers by splicing together the DNA of different animals. After successfully creating 2 hybrids, they try to start the phase 2 of their project: adding human genes in the experiments.

Opinion: I really liked Splice, this strange movie definitely reinvent the genre. Those 1:30 hours are entertaining: you observe two mad scientists playing with the limits of genetics by giving birth to a creature that has human genes. If you haven't seen it yet, you should!

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Paris is a place where you can easily find romance, good food and have epic moments. For those who are traveling to Paris, I started to put together a list of advices that can be used and abused.

It's a well-known fact among the travelers, Paris is a romantic city which happens to be a little bit rainy (have an umbrella) and where it's easy to lost yourself (have a map or a phone with a navigational system).

My favorite epic moment is a sunrise from Petit Pont, when the town is waking up and Notre Dame is ringing its bells. The scenery is even more epic during the winter when the tourist are almost inexistent. During the beginning and end of summer (end of may / end of september), the blank of the Seine are a great spot to do a picnic. You will meet a lot of locals, see a lot of students and you can once in a while have some music. Be aware that parts under bridges can be very smelly.

Close to Ile de la Cite, there are many bridges that are for walkers only. Pont des Arts is the most famous: it has a lot of lockers attached to it, it represents the love between two individuals. If you are going with someone you love, don't forget, it's a great spot!

As Paris is a very old city, you will have a lot of historical places to see. The Eiffel Tower is very touristy, you can wait in line for hours if you didn't arrive at the right time. The view from the top is gorgeous and you can have a clear sky during the fall. Champs Elysees is full of international shoppers, you have the famous brands and stores such as Channel and Louis Vuitton. Some religious places are worthwhile seeing if you have time: Notre-Dame, Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, and Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise.

The French cuisine is also something you must try while you are in Paris. Avoid the touristy areas (e.g. Rue Moufetard) and try to find an artisanal Boulangeries. Patries and breads are very different from what you can find in America (Olive bread, croissants, pains aux chocolate are delicious). If you want some French delicate macarons, go to LaDuree or Pierre Herme (the chocolate one is my favorite). I would also recommend you to try cheeses (all kinds) and charcuteries (eg. saucisson sec, jambon) as they are not easily findable in America. Even tho this is more exotic, I love going to Mosquée de Paris for amazing couscous and Aux 3 Elephants for great Thai food.

To close this already long list of things to do, I recommend you to walk a lot, that's the best way to discover new places. Place de la Bastille is a great spot for drinks and food, Eiffel Tower is great for picnic, Moulin Rouge is very fun for parties. If you like posh bars, you can go to the top of Centre Pompidou for an outdoor drink, the view is amazing. Galeries La Fayette has an amazing dome, highly decorated for christmas. And if you're just looking for a public park to chill: Jardins du Luxembourg are pretty cool.

Some great events you might want to attend: La fête de la musique (music festival) and La nuit blanche (White Night).

Get more advices for Paris directly on my Google+.

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Installing Apache, Mysql and Php directly on a Mac isn't a good idea: when you want to do a fresh reinstall, you need to format your personal computer. So let's use VirtualBox (free virtualization software) to run a Ubuntu Server.

The process is actually very straightforward so I am going to be very brief about it. At the end you will have a server with Apache / Mysql / Php and ssh access.

• Download VirtualBox and the Ubuntu Server ISO file.
• Install and open VirtualBox (you don't need to mount the Ubuntu iso).
• Create a new virtual machine (Memory 512Mo / Hard drive: 8Gb).
• Run it, it will ask you the Ubuntu ISO file.
• Follow the install procedure.
• When you have the screen to install services, select the ones you will need luckily need: SSH, Apache etc.
• Once the installation is finished, stop completely the virtual machine.
• Open a Mac terminal and enter (replace machine-name by the name of your machine in VirtualBox):
  • VBoxManage modifyvm "machine-name" --natpf1 "guestssh,tcp,,2222,,22" # SSH
  • VBoxManage modifyvm "machine-name" --natpf1 "apache,tcp,,8888,,80" # Apache
• Launch your virtual machine.
• Open Safari: http://localhost:8888/, if you see "It works!", it means apache is working properly.
• Open a terminal: ssh username@localhost -p 2222.

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After 3 years of using a macbook 13", I bought a brand new MacBook Air for home. My first acquisition was an iPod back in early 2000, I now have a lot of history with the company (3 computers, 3 iPods, 1 iPad).

It's more expensive than what the competition has to offer, but it gives you the quality you expect and a good sense of detail that no company in the world can face when it comes to personal computers.

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