[dylangs1030]

I second this strongly. I'd pay a lot more attention with a simple format. It's more respectful to the audience and makes you seem more professional.

Common objections:

But we're young and hip, we wanna look different from the big companies! - Doesn't matter. Still bad practice.

But we don't like labels. We want generalists. - Then specify that. Asking for a "ninja" or some other nondescript title is retarded.

But we want to say what we do! - That's what the post is for.

YC companies have the exclusive ability to post job ads on the front page. I highly doubt there's any reasonable justification for posting anything aside from a standard template. It's not like you need more help.

[minimaxir]

There's a popular growth hacking strategy which I like to call the "what the hell" strategy: The content lead-in is deliberately vague but still gives you an idea of what it's about and it makes the reader go "what the hell?" and check it out of morbid curiosity. It's the inverse of link-baiting.

[biot]

What about this objection?

"We A/B tested the copy and we got far better results with custom, quirky copy than we did with a standard format. Why should we purposely use a version that people find boring and has been proven to be less effective? If you don't like our job postings, then the job isn't for you anyways."

[dylangs1030]

Then I respond with this:

"Your A/B test demonstrates it's better for you in the short term. Great! Now you're just being dishonest, instead of ineffective and dishonest."

EDIT: That probably sounds harsh. I have nothing against YC companies, this advertising is just something I personally find disagreeable and annoying.

[venomsnake]

I don't get the whole ninja thing - I went to an interview with a set of swords, shurikens and a nunchucks and they refused to hire me. Go figure.

I think that being dishonest is stupid while hiring especially here and for a small start up. You want the elite - treat them like one. A non brain dead person will see through the bullshit in a seconds. So you will be left with second tier candidates.