Live data from Hacker News

What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

keyvalues.com

41–50 of 212 posts

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#42

In my opinion: - designing your resume - EQ - having a deep, enthusiastic, and genuine interest in some aspect of the company - Think of your resume like a poem - visual representation of their experience/resume These are great criteria for hiring a designer or marketing personnel, but these are TERRIBLE criteria for hiring a technical person. In my fantasy world, a technical resume is in a monospaced font and is emi…

Most of us aren't on the cutting edge of technology. I've personally never worked on a team whose biggest problem was a lack of technical prowess, the problems are always social/cultural.

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#43
post #5

I'm surprised none of them mentioned the abominable "culture match". I've heard repeated complaints that it's much more important to be a brogrammer who likes craft beers, than it is to be any good at the actual programming.

I’ve been consulting the past year and a half. Recently I decided to contact some companies just to see what the landscape was like, and if I could maybe find an interesting opportunity that also paid well. On one of the first calls I had, the recruiter heavily implied that I was “not a culture fit” after I explained that I’m only interested in a job if it pays more than I currently make consulting (this particular j…

>“we’re looking for people passionate about the problems we’re solving, even if it means taking a pay cut.”

Yep, thats a one way ticket to not having quality employees.

If I really want to solve those problems, I'm probably only going to trust myself to solve it.

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#44

In my opinion: - designing your resume - EQ - having a deep, enthusiastic, and genuine interest in some aspect of the company - Think of your resume like a poem - visual representation of their experience/resume These are great criteria for hiring a designer or marketing personnel, but these are TERRIBLE criteria for hiring a technical person. In my fantasy world, a technical resume is in a monospaced font and is emi…

> they would gripe about that technology all day long; if they can't complain about its shortcomings and pitfalls, they didn't use it.

Lol that is gold. I have to add that section to my interviewing questions.

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#46
post #3

I think recruiters should actually start giving a shit about the lives of engineers before making demands. - Actually try to get to know and understand a person - Dont use fill-in templates - Have some actual knowledge of tech (java != .net) - Dont make offerings for positions I worked on 10 years ago during college. - Dont be greedy. To just name a few...

Literally in my linkedin messages right now: "Hi we're looking for a python/clojure/go/dart/react senior developer. We need 5 years of experience and a college degree in CS" "I have none of those but forward my resume if you think I'd be a good fit" "Alright, I'll get your resume over to them ASAP!" Several days later "Sorry, they said you wouldn't be a good fit" No fucking shit, I am shocked

>we're looking for a python/clojure/go/dart/react senior developer

Tbh, most people dont even need an expert or senior developer. Unless you are expected to pick up everything within 1 week, its easy enough to learn a language or reverse engineer old code with enough time.

I find this the most annoying thing in programming. Does HR not realize that once you can program, you can program?

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#47
post #5

I'm surprised none of them mentioned the abominable "culture match". I've heard repeated complaints that it's much more important to be a brogrammer who likes craft beers, than it is to be any good at the actual programming.

I am sooo glad I've not encountered this. When I go drinking I tend to accumulate drinking buddies that are entirely outside of programming. Lawyers, skater bros, confectioners, people that know way too much about the chemistry of post it notes (true story) I love tech and all, but, when I'm out drinking its more fun asking people what they do and just getting out of the stupid tech scene in general.

Maybe I'm the weird one, I have met a couple programmers at the bar too, but its just not as fun as meeting someone whose life revolves around making chocolate for a living as an example.

If that makes me a poor cultural match, good. I can't be that insular. I don't want to join a cult when I join a job.

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#48
Crooters never seem to be asking a whole lot, as they always seem to think I'm a "great fit" for any company currently waving money under their nose. Of course it usually takes some prodding to discover that the crooter actually knows nothing about my background, is ill qualified to determine who is a fit, and I wouldn't want to work for their client anyway.

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#49
"EQ and self awareness"

What a crock of sh*t!! This is what happens when you pack HR departments with humanities and gender studies majors.

Personally I do not read any resumes, all the hiring I've done was either by referral or through online websites like angelList.

This is my process:

- Check your linkedIn, look at your experience and education. Catchy schools and companies is good BUT also that you are not a branch hopper (2 months there, 3 moths here etc)

- Check your github for samples of your code and your work ethic. (If you don't know proper git branch management you are no good to us). Opensource contributions are a major +++

- Check your StackOverflow to see how good a communicator you are (best engineers are the best teachers)

- Don't bother with social media .. unless I am looking for a good excuse not to hire you.

If you don't have any of the above, I will not even spend 10 seconds on you.

Re: What technical recruiters want from engineering candidates

#50

In my opinion: - designing your resume - EQ - having a deep, enthusiastic, and genuine interest in some aspect of the company - Think of your resume like a poem - visual representation of their experience/resume These are great criteria for hiring a designer or marketing personnel, but these are TERRIBLE criteria for hiring a technical person. In my fantasy world, a technical resume is in a monospaced font and is emi…

A good balance between highly technical and creatively designed is to write your resume with TeX.

Is that more of a recommendation or a hard requirement? I've been using a bland resume that I thought would check all the boxes inside an ATS.
Post reply on HN