Ask HN: What do you think when companies ask for gritty people?

Re:Ask HN: What do you think when companies ask for gritty p... by refurb on Monday September 19, 2022 @07:35AM (#32896961)

I recall quite a few posts about the shipping crisis last year and Flexport posting lots of "here is the real reason why LA's port is jammed". I recall the story about the CEO buying the longshoremen breakfast and getting the "inside skinny" on how container traffic works.

And the response, even on HN was was "whoa, these guys are so cool" and "more companies need CEOs like this who are innovative and hustlers like this guy". It was their entire schtick.

This isn't to say they didn't have interesting things to share, but the PR/Code-bro-speak was turned up to 11 and it was a huge turn off.

So maybe not that surprised they use words like "grit" in their job postings. I personally would reserve such a word for things like fighting in a war or doing a solo trek to the South Pole, but hey, apparently Flexport thinks their job is at the same level?

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Re:Ask HN: What do you think when companies ask for gritty p... by geoduck14 on Monday September 19, 2022 @09:06AM (#32897770)

My 6yo daughter is learning about "having grit" in school. I think a lot of people here need to chill out about how "extreme" grit is.

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Re:Ask HN: What do you think when companies ask for gritty p... by refurb on Monday September 19, 2022 @09:15AM (#32897864)

I hope you're not suggesting that language appropriate for 6 years is also appropriate for adults looking for jobs?

I mean, yes, grit, determination and tenacity are all great things to teach a child who doesn't know what they are (or at least what they're called).

But an adult? Looking for a job?

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Re:Ask HN: What do you think when companies ask for gritty p... by cowuser666 on Monday September 19, 2022 @11:14AM (#32899472)

Notwithstanding the replication crisis, "grit" is a social psychology term that has been popularized in recent years. It's presented as a desirable trait for lifetime success. I think attributing this perceived relative debasement to a company is a bit much.

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Re:Ask HN: What do you think when companies ask for gritty p... by mechanical_bear on Monday September 19, 2022 @11:53AM (#32900017)

Yes, some of the language is appropriate to use for either. English has great flexibility like that. Grit is one of those words that is appropriate for either audience.

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