Only Hire the Most Intelligent Individuals for Tech Roles
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Chapter 1: The Importance of IQ in Tech
I recently binge-watched all seasons of Rick and Morty to inspire this blog post.
IQ Distribution via Wikimedia
(A humorous take on an actual job listing I encountered and my experiences with IQ assessments at various companies)
High IQ >>>> Soft Skills
I find it perplexing that organizations don't exclusively recruit individuals based on their IQ. Just think about it: without the brightest minds crafting software at lightning speed, how can we innovate? Meetings often devolve into contests of who can sound the most intellectual by using elaborate terminology and technical jargon to explain a feature. If one cannot tackle challenges using red-black trees or doubly linked lists, then the proposed solution isn’t worth the effort. I prefer to channel my considerable intellectual capacity into intricate problems rather than simplifying matters for the average person.
When it comes to interviews, if a candidate doesn’t achieve a minimum score of 140, I wouldn’t regard them as a legitimate applicant. Those who truly understand the job description (which only high IQ candidates can) would recognize their standing and think twice before applying. It astonishes me when some candidates neglect to include their SAT/ACT scores, GPA (which must exceed 4.0), and other metrics that demonstrate their superiority over the average applicant.
High IQ Coding Challenges
The issue arises as everyone aspires to work at FAANG, yet those opportunities are often just trivial coding exercises. In my view, IQ assessments are the definitive measure of intelligence, setting the standard for one’s intellectual capabilities; no other metrics can compare. Therefore, FAANG should be considered relatively low on the scale of hiring high IQ individuals, as they prioritize solutions that are “readable” or “documented”—whatever that entails.
I recall a project where someone absurdly suggested creating an API to retrieve data from an RDS instance. APIs are straightforward to implement, and I’ve even heard of governments doing so; it’s frankly beneath my expertise. After lengthy discussions, we now utilize a neural network to anticipate what users desire from our service, employing DNS tunneling to deliver that information securely and swiftly. Our users are more satisfied than ever, knowing that their data is being processed by systems that far surpass their own cognitive abilities.
Why Prioritize Hiring the Intelligent?
Simply put, a higher IQ correlates with a greater likelihood of success. This is a widely accepted truth, and we don’t even need to delve into the nuances of correlation versus causation to understand these straightforward concepts. It’s just a fact, which may be hard for some to accept.
To accelerate global progress, we must integrate machine learning, neural networks, blockchain, and other cutting-edge technologies to shape the future. We cannot allow those who struggle to process information at 500 words per minute to hinder our advancements or question our methodologies. The future of software is upon us, and we need the brightest minds to drive it forward. My clock now employs machine learning to tell time—just imagine the potential.
Conclusion
In the spirit of satire, I was genuinely surprised to see job postings from companies demanding high GPAs, IQs, and other absurd criteria. Don’t take it to heart; it’s all just a ridiculous show of bravado. Take it from someone who has managed to stay employed in two engineering roles while building some impressive systems along the way.
I owe a nod to Kurt S. Inu for inspiring pieces like this. Thank you for reading, as always.
Chapter 2: Perspectives on AI in Tech Jobs
In this section, we explore how tech employees perceive the impact of AI on their roles.
The first video, "I asked Tech Employees how they think AI will affect their Jobs (2024)," delves into the thoughts of tech workers regarding AI's influence on their careers.
Chapter 3: Understanding IQ Testing
Here, we examine the true nature of IQ tests and what they measure.
The second video, "I Took an IQ Test to Find Out What it Actually Measures," provides insights into the effectiveness and purpose of IQ testing.