Hacker News Reader

Comment by dbrannan | Hacker News Reader

Hmm... sounds like this issue could be solved if everyone stopped car-pooling.

Don't encourage them! Car parks have proven to be one of the most reliable indicators of whether I want to work at a company. On arrival for interview, I take a look around.

If there are lots of nice cars, it's a good sign that the company is doing well and compensates its staff accordingly.

If there are lots of older cars, it's probably a geek-friendly start-up atmosphere, not making much money yet, but everyone's in it together.

If there are a small number of very expensive cars in reserved spots for senior management, and in the few other spaces available there are lots of old cars, IME there is a 100% probability that I will not want to work there.

If people start doing things like car pooling, this almost perfect way to avoid wasting several hours in an interview for a job I'm never going to accept anyway will be spoiled, and I'll have to find some other obvious prejudice to use! :-)

> If people start doing things like car pooling, this almost perfect way to avoid wasting several hours in an interview for a job I'm never going to accept anyway will be spoiled, and I'll have to find some other obvious prejudice to use! :-)

What do you do? Get to the parking lot, look at it, and then just call them and say, "I've decided not to interview with you"?

I've never actually done that, but all the evidence suggests that if I ever interview for an employee position again, I should...

+1. Your comment may look like a "witty reply," but it hints at the futility of measuring results so indirectly. Cars in the parking lot != results.

To be fair, that was addressed in the letter.

Which, to be fair, only makes the guy seem more out of touch with reality.

Or if everyone just left their cars at work and took public transit/carpools the rest of the time.

Or, if they bought a $500 lemon, left it taking up space in the company parking lot and kept commuting as usual. In that case, are the $500 tax-deductible?

I like your idea better.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com