I posted on LinkedIn on 2026-10-18 targeting job seekers applying to high‑volume hiring firms like 16VC. I argued that traditional applications and follow‑up emails are insufficient and that candidates should demonstrate their thinking with role‑specific work samples – a marketing campaign, an investment case study, or a product problem‑solution design – and share the artifact publicly, tagging the company and explaining the motivation.
Decision: Require applicants to submit role‑specific work samples to break through volume overload and give hiring teams concrete evidence of capability.
- Marketing: create a full campaign concept (branding, channels, messaging).
I note that this approach does not guarantee an interview, but it gives hiring teams a tangible evaluation metric beyond the résumé. linkedin october 2026 posts
- Investment: publish a written case study (startup/market analysis, thesis, valuation).
- Product: define a problem and design a solution (user journey, specs, mockups).
- Publish the artifact on LinkedIn or X, tag the target company, and add a brief note explaining why it showcases my fit.