We Hire the Best, Just Like Everyone Else

Jeff Atwood challenges the Silicon Valley mantra of "hiring only the best" by exposing how this approach can inadvertently perpetuate hidden biases and miss exceptional talent. The post argues that rigid hiring processes often reject promising candidates and recommends alternative strategies like audition projects that allow companies to truly assess a candidate's potential. By emphasizing diversity, practical work samples, and expanding hiring horizons beyond traditional tech hubs, Atwood provides a nuanced blueprint for building more innovative and inclusive engineering teams.