This was a solid late night read, Harnidh! Thank you for choosing to write about this.
Absolutely love the practical advice although I'm unsure if this can be pulled off by the vast majority of applicants, considering it's all about the quantity instead of quality of apps due to the evolving nature of the job market & to increase their chances of landing somewhere half decent.
P.S. If I wasn't consumed by my love for my work, I'd love to work with you; perhaps, someday.
Alright. From someone on the other side (looking for opportunities), this is getting hilarious day by day. I get it that the candidate should show some passion and culture fit is important along with the skills they bring to the table.
Personally I have done hours of research on the startup I was applying, used notion doc to summarize why I like the company, the problems that I could solve in the company - attached with a pitch deck. Despite all this effort, I've been ghosted or received a bot email - "we appreciate you're effort but..." sigh.
STOP ASKING FOR 100X effort and passion only to not even give back an honest feedback or a quick chat/call to find out the fitment. I mean, yes, the ball's in your court, you get to decide who gets in to the team, but startups these days are exploiting this entire system into extrapolating too much out of candidates.
If you want us to go the extra mile, write notion docs and creatively reach out, and THEN ALSO do the assignment given by the company - guarantee us an interview or a quick call to discuss about all of this. We've heard enough of what the startup or company wants from it's candidates. What about the things a startup will do to the 10-15% of the total apps that are genuinely good with intent and passion you need?
I was applying for my college society I have worked about a year for the same role in a different society after reading now I get why I didn't get the chance
Insightful read! Came across this on LinkedIn and scrolled through your profile. Saw that you're hiring for a Founder’s Office role. If you haven’t already filled it, I’d really love to be considered. I’ll reach out to you tomorrow morning. Thanks :)
You write well.. it's a good honest take from the other side. And like you I have been on both sides for long.
Here's what I suggest you add to the story to increase the number of people who care.
You probably get 9/10 those soul less apps. I personally think, that's how the world is. 9/10 are just lazy.
Now at your scale let's do it at 9000/10000 apps. I am curious to learn those 1000 apps that come in with a soul, a thoughtful submission, may be with some glitches, but:
- Authentic
- Meaningful
- Full of passion
because they care
because they want it.
Do all those 1000 get a soulful, meaningful response back, from which they can learn and grow, irrespective of being the 1/1000 to make it. I hope that is so…
If yes, they will all become the advocate that will help grow that 1000/10000 to grow. If not, expect many of those 1000 to not trust that process.
What you are suggesting is terrific intent and commendable, but not every one on the other side does that and so many lazier folks don't loose that much.. on the contrary For good candidates it takes good, honest, passionate effort to send those meaningful applications. Which includes become emotionally committed to the process and not being a bot submitting another app. So when the final answer is merely a bot email back. It breaks the trust in the system.
That only creates more of the mundane apps for future.
So again, each of 20 points you mentions do closely resonate, and I wish a lot of kiddos out there take your feedback and simply get their act together to drive it with purpose and meaning.
Looking forward to a sequel of this one in some weeks/months from now..
We often do not realize the frustration on the other side of the table. Harnidh, you cover that in the first paragraph and then show the other side how to give your best shot. Read this twice, practical advice I am going to use to apply with more clarity! Thanks hk :)
I propose a sequel: “So you got the job you wanted. Now what?”
YES! I think so many people land their dream job and fumble a few weeks / months in. Would be super insightful to read something like this.
Absolutely correct! Go for it Harnidh
This was a solid late night read, Harnidh! Thank you for choosing to write about this.
Absolutely love the practical advice although I'm unsure if this can be pulled off by the vast majority of applicants, considering it's all about the quantity instead of quality of apps due to the evolving nature of the job market & to increase their chances of landing somewhere half decent.
P.S. If I wasn't consumed by my love for my work, I'd love to work with you; perhaps, someday.
Nida @ Quizizz, thanks again :)
Alright. From someone on the other side (looking for opportunities), this is getting hilarious day by day. I get it that the candidate should show some passion and culture fit is important along with the skills they bring to the table.
Personally I have done hours of research on the startup I was applying, used notion doc to summarize why I like the company, the problems that I could solve in the company - attached with a pitch deck. Despite all this effort, I've been ghosted or received a bot email - "we appreciate you're effort but..." sigh.
STOP ASKING FOR 100X effort and passion only to not even give back an honest feedback or a quick chat/call to find out the fitment. I mean, yes, the ball's in your court, you get to decide who gets in to the team, but startups these days are exploiting this entire system into extrapolating too much out of candidates.
If you want us to go the extra mile, write notion docs and creatively reach out, and THEN ALSO do the assignment given by the company - guarantee us an interview or a quick call to discuss about all of this. We've heard enough of what the startup or company wants from it's candidates. What about the things a startup will do to the 10-15% of the total apps that are genuinely good with intent and passion you need?
I was applying for my college society I have worked about a year for the same role in a different society after reading now I get why I didn't get the chance
Thanks Harinidh ☺️
Insightful read! Came across this on LinkedIn and scrolled through your profile. Saw that you're hiring for a Founder’s Office role. If you haven’t already filled it, I’d really love to be considered. I’ll reach out to you tomorrow morning. Thanks :)
You write well.. it's a good honest take from the other side. And like you I have been on both sides for long.
Here's what I suggest you add to the story to increase the number of people who care.
You probably get 9/10 those soul less apps. I personally think, that's how the world is. 9/10 are just lazy.
Now at your scale let's do it at 9000/10000 apps. I am curious to learn those 1000 apps that come in with a soul, a thoughtful submission, may be with some glitches, but:
- Authentic
- Meaningful
- Full of passion
because they care
because they want it.
Do all those 1000 get a soulful, meaningful response back, from which they can learn and grow, irrespective of being the 1/1000 to make it. I hope that is so…
If yes, they will all become the advocate that will help grow that 1000/10000 to grow. If not, expect many of those 1000 to not trust that process.
What you are suggesting is terrific intent and commendable, but not every one on the other side does that and so many lazier folks don't loose that much.. on the contrary For good candidates it takes good, honest, passionate effort to send those meaningful applications. Which includes become emotionally committed to the process and not being a bot submitting another app. So when the final answer is merely a bot email back. It breaks the trust in the system.
That only creates more of the mundane apps for future.
So again, each of 20 points you mentions do closely resonate, and I wish a lot of kiddos out there take your feedback and simply get their act together to drive it with purpose and meaning.
Looking forward to a sequel of this one in some weeks/months from now..
And that is why you should learn to be picky with the role that really compells you to follow all the above advice and pour your heart into it!!
brb, sharing this with the hiring agency to send this as pre-read to candidates.
👏
We often do not realize the frustration on the other side of the table. Harnidh, you cover that in the first paragraph and then show the other side how to give your best shot. Read this twice, practical advice I am going to use to apply with more clarity! Thanks hk :)
I had applied for the Founder’s Office role at WTFund, and after reading this, I realize I probably missed showing how much I actually care.
I really appreciate your honesty and will remember these lessons moving forward.
Thank you for sharing this!
Succinct and apt read, thanks Harnidh!