Could this be the most discriminatory Job Description ever? | Hacker News Reader

Could this be the most discriminatory Job Description ever?

blog.hguochen.com

24 pointsponyfleisch10 comments

This post was killed by user flags.

Ah, Singapore. The "Conversational Mandarin" bit is code for "Chinese people only need apply".

And in case you didn't think it could get worse:

They just celebrated their full launch on 8th July that featured a full Nyotaimori spread, an ancient Japanese ritual of serving sushi on the body of a nude female model.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/sugar-app-could-savior-small-02300...

They're asking for two years of experience - a fresh graduate, in other words. Do you want to work for a company that hires a graduate as their lead engineer? No? Don't need to pay attention to the rest of it then.

I've seen lots of ads from people who don't understand software but want to hire engineers. They're universally awful. Fortunately it's quick to spot them and move on.

The only aspect that seems like it might fall under the category of anything except for age discrimination is the photo requirement.

Summarizing the highlighted passages:

  - they want a go-getter
  - they want someone who enjoys working long hours
  - they don't want people who do things only for the perceived social benefit
  - they don't want people who have no social skills

a.k.a. a culture fit.

Granted, the job requirements are a bit hefty for the salary (US $3.2-4k/mo), and the 1+/2+ ratio of years managing vs. years developing seems a bit... naive, but maybe that's market in Singapore (which IIUC has a flat, low income tax), or maybe perhaps they are just trying to underpay - like most un-/under-funded startups everywhere.

"The through of working till midnight in a warehouse while subsiding on pizza is somehow appealing to you."

Whoever applies will get what he asked for.

I actually find it very fit to a certain demographic of wannabe startuppers, that may be enthralled by this kind of movie-like I-am-a-nerd-programmer scenario.

Maybe? Who cares? They're just being up front about what they see as a culture fit. Anyone hiring has their own version of these requirements in their head.

It has 9 points and some comments on the blog, so apparently some care. It exemplifies several patterns of job postings that are seen outside of Singapore, which makes it potentially useful for a lot of HN, while being in Singapore satisfies curiosity for some HNers like me.

It's debatable how much value there is in having a well-defined culture rather than one that just emerges, and also how to define one. I think the way the authors of this job posting define their culture is narrow-minded. A lot of people who aren't into a traditional lifestyle don't go out of their way to talk about it, in fact they lead a simpler life so they don't have to think so much about their lifestyle.

Edit: while I was typing this the number of points shot up to 15.

Nope. It's extremely douchey, but totally honest and not unfairly discriminatory in any way. It reflects an immature and pathetic obsession with "cultural fit" by people that mentally haven't outgrown the high school playground.

What makes me wonder about the author though is when they go off on the basic requirements. Those are not exceptional or excessive requirements.

Douchebags recruiting douchebags. It's only discriminatory in that it's unlikely to attract mentally stable grown-ups or women.

But since there are so many startups with the same attitude that aren't upfront about it (or, if you read between the lines, 50% of all job postings actually tell the same story), I welcome these clear warning signs.

No need to get so worked up about it, apply your talent elsewhere.

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