[hbjkhgkytfkytv]

I get you but I think it's fair to ask. You have no idea how enraging it is to dedicate a whole hour to someone for interview only to ask at the end (you know at this stage) if they used the product and they say "no" and look slightly ashamed and retarded.

Every single place I've ever applied to, I've used their product DEEPLY

But like, you can't ask - you just gotta wade through a million retards.

[FireBeyond]

I definitely do feel that. And I think it's fair to ask/check in, and I agree, there's potentially a big value unlocked when someone is a deeply passionate user of the product.

But when the bulk of your ostensible job ad is making sure you've installed the product, then hmm.

[kaliades]

I completely understand your point and have had similar feelings when I've applied to previous companies.

There are 2 points I can make to try and make it make sense (a lot of makes...)

1 - The moment a job post goes live, there are hundreds of applicants. It is an absolute spam. Several have been honest enough to admit they used an AI automation to apply everywhere. This aims to both filter some of the spammers, and also legitimately give people the option to see what they'd work on. Everyone running our product with an email as a license key is assumed a job applicant, and removed from all statistics.

2 - The last time we hired was in February. The moment the role was filled, I left a comment for transparency - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47075520 We are now looking to expand a bit more, so I posted again. I know that the filtering might be frustrating, but try to be on the other side too.

And also, since I am the hiring, interviewing, and everything else person, I don't ghost. It's not much, but it is honest work as the old meme went