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Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

jobs.wibidata.com

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Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#21

Post by jiggy2011 »

anonymouz wrote: post #8

Kind of neat, but strange as a recruitment device: It seems difficult enough to get good people, why would one put such an arbitrary filter as a first barrier? People who don't play computer games or Portal 2 are probably much less likely to apply that way.

I see your point. I've been put off jobs in that past where the requirements have listed stuff like "You must kick ass at Xbox games!" for completely non gamedev jobs.

Now I love video games as much as the next geek and I've always assumed it was a light hearted hint towards company culture rather than a hard requirement.

But I just find something a little off about stuff like this, like it sets off a little red light in my brain that I can't put my finger on. We would probably think it was weird if they said "we all love cricket so you should too!", I guess it feels a little patronising to be told "of course you love Xbox, you are a geek after all!"

As a Segue the use of the term "geek" in job descriptions irks me also.

Edit: Wording corrected

Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#22

Post by TillE »

Osmium wrote: post #17

I say this partly in jest but... it's nice to see a lean startup using its limited resources correctly by creating levels for Portal 2. For all I know, this could've been an employee's pet project, but if not I'm not sure I see the value. Also, the jobs homepage lede is a little grating: "We're seeking brilliant people ..." [Click "I'm brilliant" to continue] Because who doesn't think they deserve brilliant people? N…

This whole obsession over Super Ninja Rockstar MegaUltraDevelopers is getting to be a bit much. Everyone says they want the top 0.1%, which they just aren't going to get. Maybe it's because I don't consider myself "brilliant". I'm a reasonably intelligent guy with a good education, loads of experience, and a diverse skillset. But I'm not a genius. Very few are.

You've gotta be realistic, and I get the impression that unless a company is paying rather large salaries and/or offering extremely interesting problems to solve, they're only likely to attract people with overinflated egos with that kind of rhetoric, rather than the true best of the best.

Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#23

Post by noonespecial »

jiggy2011 wrote: post #21
anonymouz wrote: post #8

Kind of neat, but strange as a recruitment device: It seems difficult enough to get good people, why would one put such an arbitrary filter as a first barrier? People who don't play computer games or Portal 2 are probably much less likely to apply that way.

I see your point. I've been put off jobs in that past where the requirements have listed stuff like "You must kick ass at Xbox games!" for completely non gamedev jobs. Now I love video games as much as the next geek and I've always assumed it was a light hearted hint towards company culture rather than a hard requirement. But I just find something a little off about stuff like this, like it sets off a little red ligh…

I hate to be that guy but FSM help me, I am.

Segway: a goofy 2 wheeled scooter invented by Dean Kamen.

Segue: to make a transition from one thing to another smoothly and without interruption: The conversation segued from travel anecdotes to food.

Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#25

Post by Falling3 »

juan_juarez wrote: post #13

The irony is that, if they weren't busy designing Portal maps, they'd have enough manpower to develop their product.

That's really not how people work. Haven't you ever programmed all day at work and then gone home to work on a personal project? It's very easy to get a second wind when changing projects, especially if it is something you find enjoyable.

And for all we know this was something that someone built outside of work they realized could be put to this use.

Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#26

Post by partisan »

jiggy2011 wrote: post #21
anonymouz wrote: post #8

Kind of neat, but strange as a recruitment device: It seems difficult enough to get good people, why would one put such an arbitrary filter as a first barrier? People who don't play computer games or Portal 2 are probably much less likely to apply that way.

I see your point. I've been put off jobs in that past where the requirements have listed stuff like "You must kick ass at Xbox games!" for completely non gamedev jobs. Now I love video games as much as the next geek and I've always assumed it was a light hearted hint towards company culture rather than a hard requirement. But I just find something a little off about stuff like this, like it sets off a little red ligh…

Some places mention that they have an XBox on site for you to play with, but that's usually just a red flag for me. I love playing games, but if I am going to be at work long enough to feel the urge to play then I am at work way too long.

These are probably the same places that think adding an extra hour to your work increases your productivity by 16%.

Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#27

Post by mrgoldenbrown »

blktiger wrote: post #3

Neat! Not great for applicants that they have to purchase a copy of Portal 2 on steam, but at least it should be fun. Also, I don't know if it's a good thing to require engineers to apply by playing a game - but I guess it might be good to identify people who would be a good cultural fit.

Can you explain where it says this is required? I just looked at their web site and you can apply normally. The puzzles are optional.

Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#28

Post by mrgoldenbrown »

anonymouz wrote: post #8

Kind of neat, but strange as a recruitment device: It seems difficult enough to get good people, why would one put such an arbitrary filter as a first barrier? People who don't play computer games or Portal 2 are probably much less likely to apply that way.

Why do you consider it a barrier? It is not required. If you want to submit a resume the normal way, they have a link to do that too.

Re: Startup using a custom Portal 2 level to recruit engineers

#29

Post by mrgoldenbrown »

drivingmenuts wrote: post #24

On a side note: I wish startups would start putting the company location somewhere in an easily accessible place. This would allow me to decide if an application is a valid option due to geography.

I think these guys did that just fine - the same pages that lists open positions includes locations: From the homepage, I clicked "jobs" then "see our open positions" and I got a list of all open positions and their location.

http://wibidata.theresumator.com/

"Current Openings Administrative Assistant Location: San Francisco, CA Department: Operations ..."

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