Hackathon way of hiring

Real-world problem-solving events are replacing conventional placements, giving IT firms a stage to recruit engineers for their practical skills, reports Avik Das

- 

Harshini, who graduated in engineering from CMR Institute of Technology in Bengaluru, didn’t get her first job through conventional campus interviews.

Instead, three hackathons helped her learn to “think quickly, collaborate, and build something workable under time pressure,” leading to an interview and an offer by her current employer HappyFox, a tech-enabled customer service company which organised the third such event.

“Through these events, I understood what recruiters look for: Practical thinking, collaboration, clarity and the ability to build something workable under time pressure. Overall, hackathons directly strengthened my confidence and visibility during placements,' says Harshini, who uses only one name. “The HappyFox hackathon was especially important because it not only exposed me to how companies evaluate candidates but also led to an interview opportunity and a job offer.”

A typical hackathon is a multidisciplinary skill challenge centered on a real-world problem. Success hinges on assembling a small team — usually two or three people — with complementary talents: Someone skilled in visual design, others focused on front-end and back-end coding, and a critical member adept at solution architecture and problem decomposition. This focused, collaborative environment naturally creates a sense of camaraderie, forcing participants to build upon each other's strengths and actively seek guidance and mentorship.