Tech Workers Turn to Handwritten Notes in Self-Driving Taxis for Job Hunting and Dating

Tech Professionals Embrace Old-School Tactics in High-Tech Environment

In a surprising turn of events, tech workers in San Francisco are turning to an unconventional method of networking and job hunting: leaving handwritten notes in Waymo's self-driving taxis. This blend of old-school communication and cutting-edge technology has caught the attention of both job seekers and romantics in the Bay Area 1

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Job Hunting Goes Analog in Autonomous Vehicles

Alessandra Angelini, CEO of Influur, a Miami-based startup, took an innovative approach to recruit AI-savvy engineers during a trip to San Francisco. She and her head of marketing, Jennifer Lo Chan, left a handwritten note in a Waymo taxi's center console, advertising for senior software engineers to work on an AI/music project 1

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The note quickly gained traction when another passenger shared a photo on social media platform X, garnering nearly 200 reshares, over 4,000 likes, and more than 300,000 views. Angelini reported receiving about 60 résumés as a result of this unconventional job posting 2

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From Job Hunting to Romance

The trend didn't stop at job hunting. A few days later, another handwritten ad appeared in a Waymo, this time from a 26-year-old tech worker seeking a romantic connection. The bachelor's note, which described himself and provided a phone number for interested parties, received over 200 replies on social media 1

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A Contrast to AI-Driven Trends

This return to analog methods stands in stark contrast to the prevalent notion in the Bay Area that artificial intelligence is poised to replace human jobs, hiring processes, and even relationships. While billboards in San Francisco urge companies to "stop hiring humans," and tech giants predict AI agents will soon complete tasks on behalf of humans, these handwritten notes represent a human touch in an increasingly automated world 1

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Mixed Reactions from Experts

Dating experts have mixed opinions on the effectiveness of this approach. Damona Hoffman, a dating coach, finds the method clever but doubts its efficacy due to limited reach. However, Joyce Zhang, a Bay Area-based dating coach, appreciates the old-fashioned approach, noting that it can inspire others to put themselves out there in unconventional ways 2

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Waymo's Response

Waymo, owned by Alphabet, has embraced this unexpected use of their vehicles, stating they are "proud to be driving mobility both personally and professionally." The company noted that their vehicles are inspected and cleaned after each ride, but it's unclear how long these notes might remain in the cars 1

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A Uniquely San Francisco Phenomenon

Christina Zerka, a 23-year-old visitor from New York who shared one of the job ad photos on social media, remarked, "This would only happen in San Francisco." The incident highlights the city's unique blend of high-tech innovation and human creativity 1

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As AI and automation continue to reshape the tech landscape, this trend serves as a reminder of the enduring power of human connection and the unexpected ways technology can be repurposed to facilitate it.