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I always think about this - how many great engineers might be out there that are hard to spot/hire because there's no indication anywhere that they're great? An

I always think about this - how many great engineers might be out there that are hard to spot/hire because there's no indication anywhere that they're great? And simultaneously, how many crap engineers out there are hired simply because they know how to play the "thought leader" game? And as a thought exercise: How would you yourself like to be found / hired? What would you do to show the company that you are indeed great / knowledgeable? Is it Leetcode, or is that too much to ask? Is it a take-home project? Is it a lengthy interview that shows off your skills? A lengthy probationary period? What would you be willing to do to make up for your lack of "bs"?

thoroughburro 2y ago
Find them in their social life and offer them a job. These people are satisfied with life; they are not looking for more. Many of them are so effective because they see through problems; however, this can also make it easy to see how empty a corporate career is. Your question sounds like, “How can I convince people who are already winning at life to win at life for me instead of for them?”
slothtrop 2y ago
I think the canned answer will be that drive and determination will lead to results if the innate talent is there. Their heuristic then will be that if they're hard to spot, they can't be that great to begin with, because aspiration would lead to great outcomes. I think this is an unfair view. I've jumped through all those hoops to get hired. It would be nice if the years and proof of experience on paper were enough - that's how I'd like to be hired - but it's not enough, apparently.
ludicity 2y ago
You might enjoy this recent article from my friend Adolfo: https://ochagavia.nl/blog/to-broadcast-or-not-to-broadcast/ https://ochagavia.nl/blog/to-broadcast-or-not-to-broadcast/ But yeah, broadcasting has been great for my career. I don't even broadcast maximally employable things (but maybe that's a way to stand out) and am not even trying to get hired, but putting yourself out there does good things.

thoroughburro 2y ago

Find them in their social life and offer them a job. These people are satisfied with life; they are not looking for more. Many of them are so effective because they see through problems; however, this can also make it easy to see how empty a corporate career is. Your question sounds like, “How can I convince people who are already winning at life to win at life for me instead of for them?”

slothtrop 2y ago

I think the canned answer will be that drive and determination will lead to results if the innate talent is there. Their heuristic then will be that if they're hard to spot, they can't be that great to begin with, because aspiration would lead to great outcomes. I think this is an unfair view. I've jumped through all those hoops to get hired. It would be nice if the years and proof of experience on paper were enough - that's how I'd like to be hired - but it's not enough, apparently.

ludicity 2y ago

You might enjoy this recent article from my friend Adolfo: https://ochagavia.nl/blog/to-broadcast-or-not-to-broadcast/ https://ochagavia.nl/blog/to-broadcast-or-not-to-broadcast/ But yeah, broadcasting has been great for my career. I don't even broadcast maximally employable things (but maybe that's a way to stand out) and am not even trying to get hired, but putting yourself out there does good things.