Bengaluru-based AI startup Smallest AI has disrupted traditional hiring practices by eliminating the need for resumes and degrees.
The company, founded by Sudarshan Kamath, has introduced a revolutionary approach to recruitment that focuses solely on candidates’ skills and work samples.
This innovative strategy has garnered significant attention and sparked a larger discussion about the future of tech hiring.
The job listing quickly went viral, amassing nearly 3.5 lakh views within hours.
Reactions were mixed, with many praising the focus on proof of work (PoW) over formal qualifications.
One user commented, “Skills prevail over resume,” highlighting the growing trend of prioritizing demonstrated expertise over degrees.
However, some professionals questioned whether the offered salary was competitive enough given Bengaluru’s high cost of living.
New Hiring Approach and Founder’s Vision
Smallest AI’s unconventional hiring method involves asking candidates to submit a 100-word introduction along with links to their best work.
This approach aims to identify highly skilled individuals who may not have formal educational qualifications but possess the expertise required for the job.
The company is offering a full-stack engineering role with a salary package of up to ₹40 lakh per annum, without requiring a college degree or a traditional resume.
Sudarshan Kamath, the founder of Smallest AI, emphasized the importance of skills over formal qualifications.
In his job listing posted on X (formerly Twitter), Kamath wrote, “We are looking to hire a cracked full-stack engineer at Smallest AI.
Send a small 100-word text introducing yourself + links to your best work to info@smallest.ai.”
He clarified that neither a college degree nor a traditional resume would influence the selection process.
Salary and Compensation Debate
While the ₹40 lakh salary package sounds attractive, some tech professionals argued that it might not be as lucrative as it seems.
The compensation structure includes a base salary of ₹15-25 lakh and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) worth ₹10-15 lakh.
Critics pointed out that after taxes and expenses, an employee in Indiranagar, where Smallest AI is based, would have limited savings.
Despite these concerns, the skills-first approach received praise for its focus on real-world experience and work samples.
Smallest AI’s hiring experiment has reignited the debate on whether degrees and resumes should continue to dominate hiring decisions in the tech space.
The company is increasingly using social media platforms like X to scout talent, reflecting an evolving trend in recruitment, rather than relying on traditional job platforms.
This shift towards skills-based hiring could potentially reshape the future of tech recruitment, making it more inclusive and accessible.
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