Ask HN: Employee benefits/perks as a recruitment tool

stonemetal · on Feb 4, 2009

If you try to attract candidates with fluff perks you get candidates that want\expect fluff perks. Outside of good pay and benefits you need to show that you provide a good environment for that which you want to attract. Top candidates (I believe and could be entirely incorrect) want interesting work and the freedom to do a good job. Make your work environment explicit. Second it seems that wannabes talk about being rock stars, ninjas, or other BS so steer as far clear of that as possible.

cperciva · on Feb 4, 2009

What are some other things that a small IT startup can do/offer to "attract" better talent?

Convince me that the work is interesting.

wenbert · on Feb 4, 2009

+ 1 on the "option to work from home"... also, i would want to work for a company that has flextime.

plinkplonk · on Feb 4, 2009

option to "work from home" occasionally, at the developers discretion. But yeah (as Colin points out) the biggest "perk" is interesting work.

noodle · on Feb 4, 2009

some other thoughts:

offer equity. offer a competitive wage and then some (i'm assuming competitive = average -- which means you'll get average recruits). offer a serious office setup (good computer, big monitors, nice chairs, etc.). offer a flexible schedule and relaxed environment. etc..

most of all, though, the job itself needs to be interesting/engaging.