The creator of Anthropic's Claude Code likes to hire engineers who do 'side quests' like making kombucha

In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, job candidates at Anthropic are encouraged to showcase their diverse interests beyond just technical skills. According to Boris Cherny, a prominent figure at the company, possessing a hobby—what he calls 'side quests'—can significantly enhance an applicant's desirability. During an appearance on "The Peterman Pod," Cherny explained that he looks for engineers who engage in unique weekend projects, citing an example of someone who passionately makes kombucha. Such interests signal a candidate's curiosity and broader engagement with life, traits that Cherny highly values. Cherny's career has been shaped by his own side projects, leading him to develop Claude Code, a widely-used tool among engineers nationwide. He emphasizes the importance of hiring well-rounded individuals who can contribute in various capacities. Instead of strictly seeking specialists, he prefers generalists—engineers who not only excel at coding but can also participate in product development and design, and actively seek user feedback. This trend towards hiring versatile talent is echoed by other industry leaders, including Figma's CEO, Dylan Field, who noted that AI is blurring the lines of job titles, resulting in a workforce of 'product builders.' In terms of candidate evaluation, Anthropic has also taken a unique approach. Earlier this year, the company requested that applicants refrain from using AI in their responses to assess their natural communication abilities. However, this policy was updated in July, allowing candidates to leverage Claude for assistance during the application process. Hiring at Anthropic may pose challenges for newer engineers, as CPO Mike Krieger highlighted a preference for experienced candidates. Cherny attributes his preference for generalists to his own background in startups, where he learned to wear multiple hats—a stark contrast to the more rigid roles often found in larger corporations. This holistic view of talent acquisition reflects a shift in the tech industry, prioritizing adaptable skill sets that can thrive in the dynamic environment shaped by AI advancements.