Ask HN: Rip/Validate this idea for a new kind of jobs platform
A few problems I've observed from my experience both hiring people and in my job searches:
1) when you apply to a job, your resume sits in a queue in an ATS among 200 other resumes. This single fact works against you.
2) being found by recruiters is great but works only when opportunity & timing is right + it's an in-house recruiter
3) irrespective of talent, folks from under-represented/non-traditional backgrounds, or who haven't studied or worked at the Harvards or Airbnbs often get rejected at the resume stage -- but having worked with some stellar people with such backgrounds, it's eye opening where you can find talent.
4) as a HM, you know experienced folks aren't applying because why bother (see 1) and folks from (3) are at a disadvantage too.
I believe that applying/inbound hiring still sucks. On the platform I'm thinking of:
- hiring managers talk about what they're looking for - in their own words in short and not as a lengthy job description that no one reads.
- candidates can ask questions about the role of the team/hiring manager, without revealing who they are.
- to "apply", candidates answer a question or two which gets shared directly with the HM. This isn't a typical job application where you upload a resume. The hiring manager doesn't see who you are & can only evaluate you based on your answers to these questions + perhaps a summary of your past workplaces.
My thesis is a) this reduces bias and makes screening more objective and b) encourages more talented folks to "apply"
There is one big problem with this though - how do you ensure that hiring managers are not flooded with low quality reach-outs? But for now, let's assume we can limit that somewhat effectively.
Why do you think this could/couldn't work? I'd love to get well-thought out feedback based on your own prior experience hiring/job seeking.