These are strange times in tech labor markets. Many companies are hiring aggressively, while others are drastically retrenching. It’s always a good time to think about the talent search, but especially now, both for those hiring and those looking to be hired. I recently read Talent by Tyler Cowen and Daniel Gross, and found it rich with valuable and immediately applicable takeaways. In no particular order, here is what I found most helpful from the book:
Cowen often talks about training like an athlete, but for knowledge workers. An interview question he likes is “What is it you do to train that is comparable to a pianist practicing scales?” This question is worth thinking about as individuals in the workforce too. What do you do to sharpen your skills?
Employment candidates from minority groups and the disabled community are still frequently underrated by the labor market at large. Companies that act on this realization this stand to benefit tremendously.
They suggest this interview question, which I also love: “What are the open tabs on your browser right now?” To quote the authors, “You are asking about intellectual habits, curiosity, and what a person does in his or her spare time, all at once.”
The book also has great chapters on evaluating talent through the interview process and references, which are worthwhile for any hiring managers or interviewers to read in full.
The authors write “Raising the aspirations of other people is one of the most beneficial things you can do with your time. At critical moments, you can raise the aspirations of other people significantly, simply by suggesting they do something more important and ambitious than what they might have in mind.” I have found this to be the case personally, both from valued mentors of mine and in friendships where I mentor others.
All in all, my favorite theme of the book is a progress-oriented view of the talent search. Tyler Cowen is one of the “founders” of Progress Studies, so to speak, and it comes across in this book. Employers should look for candidates with enormous potential and cultivate that potential. And as an employment candidate, you want to be constantly improving yourself, refining your craft, and making progress with your professional journey. If you’re wondering where to start, a good first step would be to read this book.