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What I learned today: Never apply for a job

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Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#41

Post by guywithabike »

chc wrote: post #21
ecaron wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for standing up and saying that! The only occasion I've ever found justified for hiding the company name is when you're hiring in a town where the unemployment rate is > 25% and you can't manage the unemployment mob that inevitably forms outside the store. There is only one reason those anonymous job postings exist - lazy hiring managers. I really wish pg would put his foot down and tell people to start sta…

I don't think that's true. AFAIK, the anonymous listings are usually companies that haven't publicly launched yet and don't want to burn through their TechCrunch coverage early. It's PR, not HR. I do agree, though, that they're kind of annoying to read and I have trouble imagining what kind of desperate souls apply to these employment-roulette positions.

If your company's success largely hinges on a TechCruch article, you have much, much larger problems.

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#42

Post by bartonfink »

cglee wrote: post #40
shawnee_ wrote: post #11

While we're on the topic, I'm just going to say that those "anonymous" job postings here on YC drive me nuts "YCW11 company hiring front end dev! New office space! We There are a only couple YC companies I wouldn't want to work for, period. Mainly from the recent crop, but those bad seeds kinda ruin the whole "work for a random anonymous YC company!" recruitment tool.

Why can't you email and ask them who they are?

The onus should be on the hiring company to tell about themselves because they're the ones who want something. If I'm looking for a job, I can either look at the 99% of job listings (both startup and more mainstream) that will tell me exactly what I'll be working on and who I'll be working with or I can ask someone who's already been vague for clarification to decide whether I even want to apply. The incentive just isn't there for the job-seeker.

What you're suggesting is that it's perfectly reasonable for someone to post a help-wanted ad in the classifieds saying "I need help! Call me to find out what with!" and to expect people to call you instead of the ads all around yours.

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#43

Post by younata »

Every job I've had, I got through personal connections.

I did event videography up until last fall (went away to college), every gig I got was because I knew person planning it (theatre: I knew the director, weddings: I knew the wedding planner)

I had a day job working at subway last summer. I got the job by going to the manager (whom I've known for many years) and asking for the job.

My current internship is at the same company my father works at. I went to the CTO and asked for an internship. It probably helped that my dad works there.

I've also applied for several jobs. Every job I applied for at my college I was turned down for, every other internship I applied for told me "lol, freshman".

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#44

Post by ericb »

OliverSteenbuck wrote: post #7
euroclydon wrote: post #3

If you're an experienced software developer with skills in some of the following technologies: PHP/C++/Python/Rails/Django/ASP.NET/SQL/JavaScript/etc and you live in a dynamic market like SF/CHI/PHY/NYC/RDU/etc, then it's enough to simply create a profile on one of the career sites. The recruiters will be after you shortly. Getting a job via a job board and recruiter won't be all warm and fuzzy like meeting an employ…

I'd think that it would be the used car nobody who knew it wanted... When jobs show up in those sites, the company already failed at filling the position through trusted references. (or so is my impression) Doesn't have to be bad ofcourse, but propably warrants more due dilligence on the job seekers part than a good reference.

I'd like to refer you to my, rather opposite, take on this. BTW, this worked VERY well for me.

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2309405

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#45

Post by ecaron »

dpritchett wrote: post #37
ecaron wrote: post #22

Sites like Monster are going the way of the yellow pages. And just like you could replace the yellow pages with asking neighbors who they recommend, there is a balance between finding good sources (using Google to find a plumber, using Indeed/LinkUp* to find jobs) and understanding the value of networking. There is a reason CareerBuilder drops millions on a SuperBowl ad each year and Monster spent over $1.2M at an em…

First I've heard of your site. How is it different from Indeed?

I emailed you the details so I'm not taking this thread OT (and so I don't look like I'm spamming HN.) If anyone else has this question, eric at linkup dot com is a good way to reach me.

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#46

Post by potatolicious »

cglee wrote: post #40
shawnee_ wrote: post #11

While we're on the topic, I'm just going to say that those "anonymous" job postings here on YC drive me nuts "YCW11 company hiring front end dev! New office space! We There are a only couple YC companies I wouldn't want to work for, period. Mainly from the recent crop, but those bad seeds kinda ruin the whole "work for a random anonymous YC company!" recruitment tool.

Why can't you email and ask them who they are?

Because the market for skilled software folk is very much tilted in favor of employees right now. Demand far outstrips supply. Why would a prospective (and presumably talented/in-demand) employee jump through your hoops?

When the inevitable crash comes and the supply of tech jobs tanks through the floor... then we will put up with these crappy HR shenanigans.

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#47

Post by walexander »

mgkimsal wrote: post #38
walexander wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you not have your previous work clearly listed on your resume? Why would you expect, say, an engineer who just got FW your resume an hour before the interview to go google you and stalk your twitter feed?

If I'm interviewing someone, I will go research them beforehand. I've been handed resumes, and gone and done a google search. If there's no blog, no sourceforge/github, no homepage, no mailing list chatter, I've had that weigh in my decision. Previous work is listed on the resume. I didn't suggest stalking a twitter feed, but googling for me would indicate I do have a twitter account. And a blog. And a github account…

If that's a criteria for you when looking for an employer, then that's your choice, but I personally would never expect such a thing.

The last time I had to interview (being an engineer), I was sent 7 resumes on a Monday for interviews being conducted on a Wednesday. I checked out any links they put on their resume, apps in the appstore, etc. If they did not feel they could be bothered to tell me about something, then it will remain a mystery to me.

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#48

Post by motters »

The trouble with this strategy is that it's really just cronyism - employing your friends and relations - rather than trying to do a less heavily biased search for the best candidate. Resumes/CVs, imperfect though they are, at least represent a sort of level playing field, whereas employing your friends via opaque methods is blatantly cronyistic.

Re: What I learned today: Never apply for a job

#50

Post by dpritchett »

ecaron wrote: post #45
dpritchett wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First I've heard of your site. How is it different from Indeed?

I emailed you the details so I'm not taking this thread OT (and so I don't look like I'm spamming HN.) If anyone else has this question, eric at linkup dot com is a good way to reach me.

Thank you!
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