Optima & Outliers

Optima & Outliers explores the intersections of talent, innovation, and career trajectories, focusing on effective networking, career experimentation, impactful roles, relationship dynamics, and hiring practices. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating job opportunities, networking, and balancing personality traits for career success.

Networking Career Management Job Evaluation Hiring Practices Relationship Dynamics Personality Traits Startup Experience Charity Effectiveness

The hottest Substack posts of Optima & Outliers

And their main takeaways

Liquid vs. Illiquid Careers

119 implied HN points • 03 Aug 24
💼 Business Career Paths Human Capital Skill development Job Market Professional networking
  1. Some career paths are easier to understand and value than others. For example, working at a well-known company makes it simple for employers to see your worth.
  2. Less conventional career journeys can be harder to evaluate, but they may also lead to unique opportunities. People often favor clear paths, so you might stand out if you're willing to explore the unknown.
  3. Working in a less structured environment means you need to rely on your network and manage risks. Building relationships and being proactive can help you succeed in these careers.

Networking as sending "hard to fake" signals

299 implied HN points • 25 May 24
💼 Business Networking Career development Recruitment Job search Personal Branding
  1. Networking is not just about meeting people; it's about sending strong signals that you are trustworthy and capable. These signals help you stand out and show your potential to employers.
  2. There are two key types of networking: informational networking to learn about a field, and evaluative networking to impress hiring decision-makers. Start by gathering information and then shift to showcasing your value.
  3. To avoid coming off as sleazy while networking, focus on having genuine conversations and showing real interest. Don’t name-drop or overly flatter others; instead, respect their time and build connections naturally.

Against loose feedback loops for young professionals

179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups Corporate culture Professional development Value Creation Career Advice
  1. Working at big companies can teach you specialized skills, but they often don't show you how your work contributes to the bigger picture. You might learn things that are valuable in a small circle but not necessarily important for real-world impact.
  2. Starting your career at a startup can be more beneficial for developing broader skills. You'll see the direct results of your work, and it pushes you to understand what really delivers value to customers.
  3. If you want a career where you can make a real impact and create valuable products, it's worth considering spending some time outside of large corporations to gain that experience.

The curse of conscientiousness

219 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
💼 Business Career development Work Culture Self-help Psychology Professional Growth
  1. Being very organized and responsible can sometimes be a hindrance, especially if it makes you stick to a job that isn't right for you. It's important to know when to quit and move on.
  2. Young people should be open to exploring different jobs instead of sticking to one path just because it's familiar. Trying new roles can lead to greater happiness and success.
  3. It's better to think of your career like a scientist experiments: test a job for a while and see if it fits you. If not, don't feel bad about quitting and finding something that works better.

Dating is additive, but love is multiplicative

159 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Social Dynamics Personal Development Behavioral Psychology Communication
  1. Dating is mostly about meeting many people, where every date adds to your chances of finding someone special. The more dates you go on, the higher your chances, even if some don't go well.
  2. Once you're in a relationship, keeping it strong requires attention to many factors. If one important part, like communication or attraction, isn't working, it can hurt the whole relationship.
  3. In business or projects, success often relies on many connected steps. If one step fails, it can cause everything to fall apart, which makes planning and execution very important.
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From Runway to Career Capital: A Framework for Evaluating Startup Jobs

59 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
💼 Business Startups Career development Job Market Investment Strategies Risk management
  1. When considering a startup job, focus on how it will help your career instead of just picking a 'winner'. Think about your long-term goals and how the role aligns with them.
  2. Do your homework before joining a startup. This means asking about the company's funding, goals, and speaking with people who know the founders to understand their track record.
  3. Look for opportunities to learn and build connections in a startup. These experiences can boost your resume and help you grow your professional network.

Human Capital And The Referral Heuristic

119 implied HN points • 13 May 24
💼 Business Hiring practices Recruitment Job Market Networking Human Capital
  1. Hiring often feels like buying a house, needing personal interactions to gauge a candidate's soft skills like integrity and confidence, which can't be fully captured in a resume.
  2. Many good candidates get overlooked because traditional screening methods focus too much on relevant experience, which doesn't always reflect their true potential or transferable skills.
  3. Networking and referrals can greatly improve your chances of being hired, as they help showcase your strengths that aren't easily seen on paper.

Adverse Selection by Life Saving Charities

39 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Social contract Moral Philosophy
  1. Life-saving charities often focus on minimizing costs per life saved, which can lead to overlooking the quality of life in poorer countries. Simply saving the cheapest lives doesn't account for how much those lives might suffer.
  2. Saving lives in low-income countries often involves addressing symptoms of deeper issues related to poor governance and societal conditions. These issues make it easier to save lives but often result in a lower quality of life.
  3. It's important to consider both present and future quality of life when deciding where to allocate resources for life-saving efforts. Countries with better governance and prospects for improvement may yield better outcomes for saved lives.

You Seem Too High in Openness!

19 HN points • 14 Jun 24
💼 Business Hiring practices Employee performance Workplace dynamics Talent Acquisition
  1. Personality tests can offer useful insights into hiring, helping to predict how someone might behave in a job. However, they should be used alongside other evaluations, not as the only tool.
  2. It's essential to match job requirements with specific personality traits. For instance, some roles may require traits like agreeableness, while others might benefit from someone who's more assertive.
  3. Not all positive traits are good for every role. Too much of a good trait can become a weakness in different contexts, so interviewers should look for a balance of traits rather than just high scores.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Fashion Food
  1. A new platform or project is launching soon. It's important to stay updated for the latest news.
  2. There is a focus on sharing information through various channels like Facebook and email.
  3. The creator's profile includes a link for more details, encouraging people to subscribe for more content.