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Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

nytimes.com

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Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#51

Post by paragpatelone »

zo1 wrote: post #42
paragpatelone wrote: post #21

Companies have to be very careful how they define cultural fit. If they leave it open, it can impart personal bias that are not at all beneficial to the company. Maybe "value fit" should be used instead of cultural fit. Do your values align with the core values of the company. The top NYTimes comment below illustrates some of the warts of a "cultural fit". "Hiring managers who would never in a million years describe…

And this company that didn't hire the most-competent candidate: Would you say that they are now some how measurably worse-off within the market? At the very least, in relation to a potential competitor that did snag up that candidate?

The competitor that his hiring the best people in terms of skills and values (values that aligned with the companies core values); given everything else is equal will be much better off.

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#52

Post by skrebbel »

ovi256 wrote: post #47
arenaninja wrote: post #24

The article is spot on. In tech, cultural fit means one of several things. Some time ago at a company, we were considering candidates when the most senior software developer left. We went through two weeks of interviews, and I recommended we go with the strongest technical candidate because his experience was very obvious. The employer flat out said that he wouldn't fit because he was too old. When I raised my eyebro…

Talking about a hobby as if you still do it, in order to get the job and provide for your family, is not a lie anyone sane would say matters. Next time, don't sweat it.

Seriously? You'd take a job that requires that you lie about your personal life?

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#53

Post by ak39 »

andrewchoi wrote: post #46
ak39 wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ouch. Even if what you say could be true, is it a good thing to send our kids to institutions of learning so that they can become arse-licking sycophants? Is that even a conscious decision in parenting?

Speaking as a lower-income student who went to an Ivy League university, appearing more similar to those in power is an entirely different thing than becoming an "arse-licking sycophant". I'd argue that going to a so-called "elite" institution is more akin to learning a language by immersion.

"appearing more similar to those in power" ...

So you must possess the talent of Tom Ripley?

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#54

Post by [deleted] »

BurningFrog wrote: post #50
ak39 wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ouch. Even if what you say could be true, is it a good thing to send our kids to institutions of learning so that they can become arse-licking sycophants? Is that even a conscious decision in parenting?

You send the kids to Stanford so their ares will be the ones licked by syciphants.

[deleted]

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#55

Post by defen »

paragpatelone wrote: post #21

Companies have to be very careful how they define cultural fit. If they leave it open, it can impart personal bias that are not at all beneficial to the company. Maybe "value fit" should be used instead of cultural fit. Do your values align with the core values of the company. The top NYTimes comment below illustrates some of the warts of a "cultural fit". "Hiring managers who would never in a million years describe…

I agree with the point being made, but that story sounds made up. It ticks all the boxes, in a way that real-life stories rarely do.

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#56

Post by ionforce »

andrewchoi wrote: post #46
ak39 wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ouch. Even if what you say could be true, is it a good thing to send our kids to institutions of learning so that they can become arse-licking sycophants? Is that even a conscious decision in parenting?

Speaking as a lower-income student who went to an Ivy League university, appearing more similar to those in power is an entirely different thing than becoming an "arse-licking sycophant". I'd argue that going to a so-called "elite" institution is more akin to learning a language by immersion.

There was a whole article about this recently... I forget where, probably the NY Times. Have you read it? Quite illuminating for me. Didn't even realize there was this whole issue/culture about being low-income + Ivy.

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#57

Post by ionforce »

ta92929 wrote: post #45
raindev wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think the issue is as simple as that. Here is more on the topic: https://subfictional.com/2012/07/02/language-matters-stop-us...

The strangest part of that article is this: I understand how ingrained the “guys” habit might be for some of you. It was for me. After several months of concerted, conscious effort, I still slip and say it on oc- casion. So even the author herself used the word with completely gender neutral intent, but then she insists that others can't. It's like she's looking for reasons to be offended.

A lot of people are looking to be offended these days.

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#58

Post by notNow »

arenaninja wrote: post #24

The article is spot on. In tech, cultural fit means one of several things. Some time ago at a company, we were considering candidates when the most senior software developer left. We went through two weeks of interviews, and I recommended we go with the strongest technical candidate because his experience was very obvious. The employer flat out said that he wouldn't fit because he was too old. When I raised my eyebro…

May I ask what's your objection to drinking beer?

The reason I ask because some people abstain for religious reasons and I seriously don't relish the company of fundie folks around me because from experience over time they won't settle for exercising just their own rights but till they impose or restrict other people's rights or make them at least feel very uncomfortable in the workplace.

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#59

Post by jrs235 »

arenaninja wrote: post #24

The article is spot on. In tech, cultural fit means one of several things. Some time ago at a company, we were considering candidates when the most senior software developer left. We went through two weeks of interviews, and I recommended we go with the strongest technical candidate because his experience was very obvious. The employer flat out said that he wouldn't fit because he was too old. When I raised my eyebro…

Here's a comment from an Ask HN I started pertaining to hiring: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9760639

I think it addresses the issue of not getting an offer because the existing team doesn't connect on as private/personal level.

Re: Guess Who Doesn’t Fit in at Work

#60

Post by thedz »

notNow wrote: post #58
arenaninja wrote: post #24

The article is spot on. In tech, cultural fit means one of several things. Some time ago at a company, we were considering candidates when the most senior software developer left. We went through two weeks of interviews, and I recommended we go with the strongest technical candidate because his experience was very obvious. The employer flat out said that he wouldn't fit because he was too old. When I raised my eyebro…

May I ask what's your objection to drinking beer? The reason I ask because some people abstain for religious reasons and I seriously don't relish the company of fundie folks around me because from experience over time they won't settle for exercising just their own rights but till they impose or restrict other people's rights or make them at least feel very uncomfortable in the workplace.

There's... a huge gap between not drinking due to religious reasons, and being a "fundie". That's like calling everyone who is vegetarian or vegan or don't eat a specific kind of meat due to religion your feared "fundies".
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