Would You Hire Someone From Duke?

Hiring is an adverse selection problem. As Groucho Marx reflected, “I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”

Anyone excellent at a job is probably employed. 

Anyone is who not at a job is probably not excellent. 

What’s a manager to do? 

One option is to look in unconventional places. Chicago baker Ken Jarosch said to hire your bakers online but your counter staff in person. In other words, find people who already want to be there. 

Philadelphia’s President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey had related advice:  

“(We) find really smart kids who go to basketball schools. The best woman I ever hired came out of Duke. At some of these schools that have good basketball programs the students might have selected the school based on that a little bit, and they're also supersmart.”

We use all kinds of information when we hire: a college degree, three to five years of experience, or must be able to lift fifty pounds. 

These types of information are easy to count and helpful. But difficult-to-count information can help too. Famously in Silicon Valley, entrepreneurs ask, what do you work on on the weekend? 

If you’re having trouble hiring, what are some unconventional places to look (even if it’s Duke)? 

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