REWORK

How We Work: Finding the Right Team

Mar 20, 2024

Discover why resumes are seen as 'piles of lies' by 37signals, the significance of personalized cover letters, the involvement of co-founders in the hiring process, and the emphasis on cultural fit. Learn about evaluating candidates beyond work history, the role of gut feelings in selections, and the importance of teamwork over individual accomplishments.

26:03

Episode guests

Jason Fried

David Heinemeier Hansson

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Resumes are criticized for being embellished, highlighting the importance of authentic cover letters.

Rigorous selection process prioritizes practical assessments and cultural fit over traditional qualifications.

Deep dives

The Flaws of Resumes in the Hiring Process

Resumes are criticized for being embellished with cherry-picked accomplishments, potentially presenting a misleading picture of candidates. The podcast suggests that resumes lack specificity and are often not tailored to the company or role. Instead, the emphasis is placed on cover letters to provide a more genuine insight into the candidate's personality and motivations. The discussion highlights the importance of discerning between genuine candidates and those who may use AI or deceptive tactics in their application.

Calculated Bets in Hiring Decisions

01:33

Tips for Improving Gut Feeling in Candidate Evaluations

03:58

Resumes are Personalized Highlight Reels, Cover Letters are better

01:19

Introduction

2min

Showcasing Genuine Excitement in Cover Letters

10min

Evolving Role in the Hiring Process

8min

Evaluating Potential Team Members Based on Criticism and Past Experiences

5min

Trusting Gut Feelings in Candidate Evaluation Process

2min

37signals is hiring! However, the traditional resume and formal education credentials don’t rank as high as you might think in their hiring process.

In this episode of The Rework Podcast, host Kimberly Rhodes chats with co-founders of 37signals, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson about reviewing potential job candidates. You’ll hear them discuss why a personalized cover letter can tell a lot more about a potential hire than chronological work history, and why AI isn’t always a dependable author for those details.

Key Takeaways:

00:45 - Resumes are basically piles of lies

02:27 - Cover letters should explain why you want the job

05:07 - Test driving final candidates

11:05 - Jason and David’s involvement in the hiring process

18:59 - Finding employees that are the right cultural fit

Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.

If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email rework@37signals.com, and we might answer it on a future episode.

Links and Resources:

Books by 37signals

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The REWORK podcast

The Rework Podcast on YouTube

The 37signals Dev Blog

37signals on YouTube

@37signals on X