Re: the new job openings at 37signals, seems like a good time to remind those who are interested of these creative “application-sites” that helped previous candidates land jobs with 37signals:
You’re reading Signal v. Noise, a publication about the web by Basecamp since 1999. Happy !
Re: the new job openings at 37signals, seems like a good time to remind those who are interested of these creative “application-sites” that helped previous candidates land jobs with 37signals:
Michael
on 16 Dec 10Ok. Now show us the sites that didn’t result in jobs at 37signals. Obfuscated, of course.
Amazing Rando
on 16 Dec 10It would be poor taste for 37signals to display sites by people who were unsuccessful. Howeever those individuals likely read this blog and could certainly self-select and post URLs.
Mike
on 16 Dec 10Do ever wonder if you’re missing out on truly good candidates who don’t have time to create a custom website to apply to your job?
JF
on 16 Dec 10Mike: We review every application that’s sent our way. We’ve hired people who didn’t put together custom applications for us. However, going the extra mile to say “I want this job”, instead of just any job, scores bonus points. All things being equal (and things are often pretty close between finalists), we’ll hire the one that put in the extra effort.
Gwyn ap Harri
on 17 Dec 10I just wish we had people responding to our job ads like this. Unbelievable. Well done chaps.
Miles Drentell
on 17 Dec 10How long until this approach is no longer creative?
Mike
on 17 Dec 10@JF fair enough!
Olli Mahlamäki
on 17 Dec 10@Miles Drentell: seconded. The first people who did that were showing innovation and spirit, now it’s just a thing you do if you want to work at 37s.
Time to think outside the box: a online video as an application, with appropriate links showing during relevant parts… now that would be cool.
JF
on 17 Dec 10Miles: The extra mile is tired if it’s the same extra mile other people are doing. We look for creativity, focus, and clarity. Could come in the form of a web site, a video, who knows what. It’s not about mimicking what’s been done, it’s about making a unique effort to present yourself your way.
JoeDev
on 17 Dec 10When applying for my last few development gigs, I’ve created job-specific websites. Companies have been very impressed and 3/4 resulted in offers. Besides showing extra effort, a website’s a great way to show that you “get” what the company’s about, what they are looking for, and how you fit. Somehow this is just communicated better in a visual medium such as website or video than it is on paper.
Hibiscus
on 17 Dec 10So much for the old rule that resumes should only be one page, and that their main purpose is to be scanned quickly to get you an interview.
Dan Scanlon
on 20 Dec 10I’d agree with Jason F. Jason Z.’s approach made it very clear that he wants to work with 37s. Also, If you don’t have the time to make a ‘custom website’, it probably means that you just aren’t passionate about this specific job.
Walt
on 20 Dec 10This strikes me like someone walking into an interview and passing out a brochure. There is nothing in these one dimensional displays that point to a successful hire (or not).
Successful hiring is one of the most difficult jobs one can do. Brochures and websites are nice, but real successful hiring comes from asking the pointy questions, putting the candidate’s feet to the fire, and making an effort to engage the candidate and get to know them. Then you research their history, call their friends, past employers, every reference they offer and then get more.
A website? Are you kidding me?
JF
on 20 Dec 10Walt: We don’t hire anyone because of a custom application that happens to be a web site. We hire someone because of a lot of things. Their application is one thing that is considered along with dozens of other things. Some small, some big.
Andy O'Dower
on 21 Dec 10Jason,
We’re big fans of this approach…we’ve felt the pain on both sides of the hiring fence. So much so:
We built a start up to offer non-developer college students + grads the ability to create pages just like this (since we’re not all developers or have blogs)...after reading Getting Real, of course. Here’s a sample from a NW student in Chicago: http://susaxu.beyondcredentials.com
Students have to pay with their grades to become members, then they tell their story, go beyond their resume including writing samples/video/pics/portfolio, promote their personal URL, print business cards just for them. Then they can track their views as they use their link to apply for jobs and network instead of the old school resume. Many companies request that students send them a link from our site as part of the application process…which is about the coolest way for us to build critical mass.
Here are some more students with great stories to tell: http://pmfields.beyondcredentials.com http://cindymchia.beyondcredentials.com
Would love to hear your opinion of our approach…and if you guys are ever looking for interns, you know where to find us!
Thanks, Andy O’Dower
Nick
on 23 Dec 10This partial sentence of Craig’s made me smile: “I take great care in my written correspondance”. In a sentence praising his case there is a spelling mistake/typo.
Oh well, he still got the job :-)
This discussion is closed.