I would love to see a pure merit based approach. Let people see github accounts and make offers based on that alone. Maybe we can evolve farther past age and race issues if we focus on work.
Github is useless. The vast majority of companies that ask for source code samples don't even take the time to review them. Heck, these days you're lucky if your cover letter and resume are read in their entirety by a human being.
The sad truth is that most companies are lazy and/or inept at hiring. Once you recognize that, you can either accept that you're playing a numbers game, or you can decide to evolve beyond playing the role of employee.
I'm just curious why no one has tried to tackle this yet. Seems like an obvious angle to take in the "hiring" market (that seems to be saturated).
Everyone are basically doing the same thing, having a niche angle might help. Just a thought.
By "something," what exactly are you looking for? I'm just curious.
It's very difficult to contribute open-source work outside of a day job, especially when you're working on your own side business. The best I've accomplished in the past is getting my employer on-board with the idea of contributing back to open-source for 50% of my time. That's a lot easier at a start-up, however.
I've been there. Still, I'd want a code sample anyhow.
If open source becomes the dominant mode for hire screening, it provides an interesting disincentive from taking jobs at open source unfriendly companies.
The sad truth is that most companies are lazy and/or inept at hiring. Once you recognize that, you can either accept that you're playing a numbers game, or you can decide to evolve beyond playing the role of employee.