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The comment you're replying to is saying there's 2 processes, and it matters which one you're in. System A optimizes for min(p(hire|bad_candidate)). System B o

The comment you're replying to is saying there's 2 processes, and it matters which one you're in. System A optimizes for min(p(hire|bad_candidate)). System B optimizes for max(p(hire|good_candidate)). System A has resume screens, long lead times, and Leetcode out the wazoo. System B has a few convos, short lead times, and review of actual previous work product. Horror stories come from great candidates in system A. This article is describing how to get into system B.

jkaptur 3y ago
Well, it describes what it's like to be in system B. All it says about how to get in is to build something (good? great? flashy?) and hope someone notices. This clearly does work sometimes, but it's not necessarily the best advice for everyone.
- curiousllama 3y ago
  Yea fair point, totally agree. Big selection bias. Still, I think a lot of folks could benefit from thinking through "how do I get into system B?" - because those skills are tremendously helpful in System A, too.
- ska 3y ago
  Build good things and develop a good network of people who know what you can do. A lot of hires, even in companies like this, happen more from conversations that resumes and job postings. As a hiring lead, there are a small handful of people I know well that I would try to create a job for immediately if they emailed me they wanted to join. As an employee, many job's I've had started something like that.
  - jkaptur 3y ago
    Yep. Also learn like 5 data structures and 7 algorithms in case the relevant manager can't just unilaterally hire you.
- zem 3y ago
  there's an old joke about a company owner who would routinely throw half of every stack of resumes he received straight into the bin, because "who wants unlucky people working here?". i think a large part of why it's funny is because it really does take a considerable amount of luck to get hired at all, and especially through the system B process.

jkaptur 3y ago

Well, it describes what it's like to be in system B. All it says about how to get in is to build something (good? great? flashy?) and hope someone notices. This clearly does work sometimes, but it's not necessarily the best advice for everyone.

curiousllama 3y ago
Yea fair point, totally agree. Big selection bias. Still, I think a lot of folks could benefit from thinking through "how do I get into system B?" - because those skills are tremendously helpful in System A, too.
ska 3y ago
Build good things and develop a good network of people who know what you can do. A lot of hires, even in companies like this, happen more from conversations that resumes and job postings. As a hiring lead, there are a small handful of people I know well that I would try to create a job for immediately if they emailed me they wanted to join. As an employee, many job's I've had started something like that.
- jkaptur 3y ago
  Yep. Also learn like 5 data structures and 7 algorithms in case the relevant manager can't just unilaterally hire you.
zem 3y ago
there's an old joke about a company owner who would routinely throw half of every stack of resumes he received straight into the bin, because "who wants unlucky people working here?". i think a large part of why it's funny is because it really does take a considerable amount of luck to get hired at all, and especially through the system B process.