Recruiter’s Secret Hiring Guidelines Leak Sparks Controversy Online
Reddit User Claims to Receive Internal Selection Memo by Mistake
A Reddit user has alleged that a recruiter accidentally sent him a confidential hiring memo detailing the internal selection criteria for software engineers. The leaked document, which surfaced on Reddit two days ago, has sparked widespread debate due to its exclusive hiring preferences and controversial blacklisting of candidates from certain backgrounds.
Strict Hiring Preferences for Software Engineers
The memo outlines stringent candidate requirements, favoring applicants with degrees from top-tier universities while explicitly rejecting individuals from major tech firms and specific industries. According to the document, ideal candidates should hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science from prestigious institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Caltech, UIUC, and the University of Waterloo.
While the memo states that candidates from other universities could be considered, this was only possible if they had a 4.0 GPA. Additionally, the guidelines highlight a preference for candidates with 4-10 years of software development experience, proficiency in modern JavaScript frameworks (TypeScript, NodeJS, ReactJS), and AI/LLMs expertise. The document also discourages applicants from large corporations unless they have previous startup experience and explicitly rejects those with frequent job changes or consulting backgrounds.
Blacklisted Companies and Visa Restrictions
A particularly controversial aspect of the memo is the inclusion of a blacklist of companies whose employees are deemed “not the right fit.” The companies on this list include Intel, Cisco, HP, TCS, Tata, Mahindra, Infosys, Capgemini, Dell, Cognizant, and Wipro.
The memo further specifies that there would be no visa sponsorships, restricting applications to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and Canadians only. This exclusionary hiring approach has fueled criticism, with many arguing that it promotes elitism and discrimination.
Social Media Backlash and Viral Reactions
The Reddit user who shared the memo expressed frustration, stating, “The sheer pretentiousness and elitism kinda pissed me off, ngl. And I meet a lot of this criteria, which is why the recruiter contacted me, but it still pisses me off.”
The post quickly went viral, with many social media users condemning the hiring policies as discriminatory. One commenter shared their personal experience, stating, “I work for a big company and have been trying to transition internally to tech for years. They told me outright they only hire students from certain universities.”
Another user reshaped the post, referencing a former Facebook engineer’s statement: “Top-tier CS schools are the primary path to early career jobs in software.”
Debate Over the Memo’s Authenticity
While the leaked document has stirred controversy, some users have questioned its authenticity. Critics suggested that the Reddit user might have fabricated the guidelines and shared a fake screenshot on the codingbootcamp subreddit.
However, Michael Novati, a subreddit moderator and former Facebook employee, confirmed that he had personally received additional evidence from the original poster. He stated, “It’s impossible to 100% verify an email’s authenticity over Reddit, but the evidence adds credibility to the original post.”
Despite lingering skepticism, the memo has fueled intense discussions about hiring biases, corporate exclusivity, and the challenges faced by software engineers from non-traditional backgrounds.