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We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

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Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#51

Post by byoung2 »

argumentum wrote: post #31
dylangs1030 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps, but part of the reason for making a post like this is to bring attention to the format. We can cut them some slack, but being 17-22 doesn't require linkbait job posts. Plus, it's not like it requires so much experience to understand why linkbait is not in your favor on Hacker News. Some of the linkbaitiest titles are the ones I see consistently reposted - it doesn't work and it's somewhat annoying. A really…

I think that's a decent format (assuming the startup is launched), but it doesn't encapsulate the spirit of some jobs. For example, I actually like posts like the following (right now the 2nd post on the board): Help us build the mobile app farmers really want https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6266489 It intrigues me a lot more than "FarmLogs (YC sXX) seeks iOS developer". If that was the title, I might think it w…

Help us build the mobile app farmers really want

Interestingly, that headline first read "John Deere sucks at software. Help us build the mobile app farmers really want." Someone must have edited it because it is not a good idea to alienate a possible future partner/acquirer. These are new companies, and they are still learning how to handle publicity and marketing. It is also possible that they intended to cause a stir with the controversial headline and generate buzz.

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#52

Post by argumentum »

jpadvo wrote: post #48
argumentum wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with this (particularly since it's anonymous), but piling on seems kind of mean. Another option would be to simply email the given address and state your complaints. For example that you may have been interested (if you were), but felt mislead by the posting.

The reason I publicly posted this is because it is an issue about community standards, not just a personal issue between me and the company. It's interesting to think about my own motivations -- I wonder if I would have been gentler if their post hadn't been anonymous. If so, should I have been gentler even though their post was anonymous? Anyway, I apologize if this caused unnecessary hurt, I didn't mean to.

I didn't mean to imply that you were piling on, and I don't doubt your intentions one bit. . The problem is that once this is posted, you have little control over the outcome in the comment threads and piling on is inevitable. Again, not a criticism of you at all, my reply was aimed at the comments in the thread.

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#53

Post by jpadvo »

leetrout wrote: post #42
jacquesm wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Comments are off on job postings because they tend to become a running critique of the company or product doing the posting.

Oh, so this has beed tried before?

Yes, it used to be that way.

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#54

Post by biot »

dylangs1030 wrote: post #16
pearjuice wrote: post #6

YC companies always have the worst link-baiting lines to get you to click on their job offers. Just put them in a standard template so we know who is looking for what before clicking on the link. I propose: {company} ({yc season}) looking for {role} Role should be the actual function title and if applicable mentioning the language-stack (i.e. RoR, node) the candidate should master.

I second this strongly. I'd pay a lot more attention with a simple format. It's more respectful to the audience and makes you seem more professional. Common objections: But we're young and hip, we wanna look different from the big companies! - Doesn't matter. Still bad practice. But we don't like labels. We want generalists. - Then specify that. Asking for a "ninja" or some other nondescript title is retarded. But we…

What about this objection?

"We A/B tested the copy and we got far better results with custom, quirky copy than we did with a standard format. Why should we purposely use a version that people find boring and has been proven to be less effective? If you don't like our job postings, then the job isn't for you anyways."

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#56

Post by argumentum »

byoung2 wrote: post #51
argumentum wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think that's a decent format (assuming the startup is launched), but it doesn't encapsulate the spirit of some jobs. For example, I actually like posts like the following (right now the 2nd post on the board): Help us build the mobile app farmers really want https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6266489 It intrigues me a lot more than "FarmLogs (YC sXX) seeks iOS developer". If that was the title, I might think it w…

Help us build the mobile app farmers really want Interestingly, that headline first read "John Deere sucks at software. Help us build the mobile app farmers really want." Someone must have edited it because it is not a good idea to alienate a possible future partner/acquirer. These are new companies, and they are still learning how to handle publicity and marketing. It is also possible that they intended to cause a s…

they are still learning how to handle publicity and marketing.

I think this is a crucial observation. Anyone who is recruiting (or fundraising, selling etc) wants to generate buzz, but those without experience do not naturally know where exactly to draw the line for what type of audience.

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#57

Post by zck »

leetrout wrote: post #27

As a newer HN user I was surprised that there are no comments on job postings. I've also noticed some interesting posts and think there could be some constructive conversation around them. I can appreciate why there are no comments but also I think it would be interesting to allow direct feedback to job postings. Anyone else ever thought this, too?

One reason, iirc, is to prevent stealth companies from being outed.

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#58

Post by jlgreco »

corin_ wrote: post #35
minimaxir wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reddit allows users to comment on ads. 99% of the time it doesn't go well, especially if they are being dishonest.

HN is, at least in theory, a place where being polite when giving feedback is the norm. Reddit, on the other hand, is a place where humour and rudeness is not only expected, but wanted by the majority.

Reddit ads are pinned to the top of the page but allow comments. HN ads float with the rest of the links, but don't allow comments.

Either has their pluses and minuses.

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#59

Post by dylangs1030 »

biot wrote: post #54
dylangs1030 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I second this strongly. I'd pay a lot more attention with a simple format. It's more respectful to the audience and makes you seem more professional. Common objections: But we're young and hip, we wanna look different from the big companies! - Doesn't matter. Still bad practice. But we don't like labels. We want generalists. - Then specify that. Asking for a "ninja" or some other nondescript title is retarded. But we…

What about this objection? "We A/B tested the copy and we got far better results with custom, quirky copy than we did with a standard format. Why should we purposely use a version that people find boring and has been proven to be less effective? If you don't like our job postings, then the job isn't for you anyways."

Then I respond with this:

"Your A/B test demonstrates it's better for you in the short term. Great! Now you're just being dishonest, instead of ineffective and dishonest."

EDIT: That probably sounds harsh. I have nothing against YC companies, this advertising is just something I personally find disagreeable and annoying.

Re: We're only being dishonest to get your attention. Join us!

#60

Post by jacquesm »

larrys wrote: post #39
jacquesm wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Comments are off on job postings because they tend to become a running critique of the company or product doing the posting.

"because they tend to become a running critique of the company or product doing the posting" Why do they feel that is bad? And have they ever been on on HN job postings (if so how long ago)?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2022018

Some more background info. Other issues were:

- outing companies that were still under the radar

- hijacking threads with other job postings

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