When we only hire the best means we only hire the trendiest

This provocative piece exposes how tech companies' obsessive pursuit of "trendy" candidates creates deeply flawed hiring practices that systematically overlook talented engineers. By dissecting real-world hiring scenarios, the article reveals how superficial screening criteria like school pedigree and current employer can cause companies to miss exceptional talent while burning enormous resources competing for the same narrow pool of candidates. Engineering leaders will gain actionable insights into breaking free from conventional hiring traps and developing more nuanced, effective talent acquisition strategies that prioritize potential over predetermined markers of success.