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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

#31

Post by mrgoldenbrown »

evan_ wrote: post #6
makmanalp wrote: post #4

I like these sort of recruitment teasers, mainly because if done well they self-select for exactly the kind of person you want. I think this is similar in effect to website job boards like the joelonsoftware board or the hn jobs section, where the people who answer are likelier to share your vision and opinions. In this case you'd have to have Portal 2 already, but anyway. Maybe they're looking for that :)

> I like these sort of recruitment teasers, mainly because if done well they self-select for exactly the kind of person you want. In this case, 20-30 year old males.

>In this case, 20-30 year old males. I would argue that it's more like "Anyone who reads Hacker News, Reddit, or any other place this gets posted." (Granted, that overlaps with 20-30 year old males quite a bit.) The puzzle is more like an advertisement, not a requirement to apply.

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

#32

Post by blindhippo »

Seems like fun...

But this type of thing doesn't help our profession be taken seriously. If WibiData was a game company this would fit - but they do data analytics as far as I can tell.

I am a professional software developer. I have a very specific skill set and I expect to be treated properly. I do not appreciate it when people think I am a "geek", or that I obviously play video games or are in to Star Trek[1]. When it comes to my professional career I expected to be treated as an adult with a valuable skillset that can add value to a business.

I wouldn't apply to this company frankly because this strategy belies a culture that thinks development is all fun and games. Whether that's true or not, doesn't matter. What they are communicating to me as a potential applicant turns me off. (and the photos of a giant open room don't help either - who the hell wants to work in an office like that?)

[1]note, just because I am totally into all that doesn't invalidate my point

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

#33

Post by rhizome »

TillE wrote: post #22
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…

"Getting?" Frankly I'm a little shocked that people are still using it after all the derision it's received. It's getting to be (I'd like to think) a black mark along the lines of the Web Economy Bullshit Generator.

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

#35

Post by rhizome »

partisan wrote: post #26
jiggy2011 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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%.

"XBox on site," says to me, "we're (hiring) young people."

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

#36

Post by jiggy2011 »

partisan wrote: post #26
jiggy2011 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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%.

I don't take issue with an Xbox on site, after all plenty of workplaces provide leisure facilities of some kind, especially since there is a legally mandated lunch break here in the UK.

What raises the red flag is making it such a prominent part of the actual job description.

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

#37

Post by fixedd »

blindhippo wrote: post #32

Seems like fun... But this type of thing doesn't help our profession be taken seriously. If WibiData was a game company this would fit - but they do data analytics as far as I can tell. I am a professional software developer. I have a very specific skill set and I expect to be treated properly. I do not appreciate it when people think I am a "geek", or that I obviously play video games or are in to Star Trek[1]. When…

One of the other concerns when hiring is finding a fit for the company's culture. Perhaps that's what they're trying to achieve.

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

#38

Post by mephi5t0 »

Some people don't like video games, prefer sports, like skiing... Some people play Settlers and/or Civilization or turn based strategies... They won't be able to react or move quickly in Portal. It's like saying - we will hire you but you need to BUY and DRIVE this motorbike through this hoop of fire... And person don't even have driving license. Not to mention they were busy building that hoop of fire instead of making their product in the first place (but that's for them to decide how they want to run their business). I juts think being a gamer is not requirement. If you can opt out and solve a chess puzzle or a super fast Tetris or whatever - there should be alternatives, just like audio capcha or sites for color blind people

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

#39

Post by blindhippo »

fixedd wrote: post #37
blindhippo wrote: post #32

Seems like fun... But this type of thing doesn't help our profession be taken seriously. If WibiData was a game company this would fit - but they do data analytics as far as I can tell. I am a professional software developer. I have a very specific skill set and I expect to be treated properly. I do not appreciate it when people think I am a "geek", or that I obviously play video games or are in to Star Trek[1]. When…

One of the other concerns when hiring is finding a fit for the company's culture. Perhaps that's what they're trying to achieve.

That's probably exactly what they are doing. So I suppose I shouldn't be too hard on them - they are conveniently broadcasting they have a youngish "play" culture at work.
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