A post on TechCrunch says that Google has put up signs around the MIT campus with a code that reads, “If you can figure this out, you may have a future with Google.” The code that follows is an array of alphabets and numbers and has been reproduced below:

Apparently, the code reveals a phone number where you can call in and leave your contact information. So go ahead and take a shot at it.

Update (Sep 23, 2009):
The code has been solved. It’s a alphanumeric substitution cipher with the key being JOBS. So, the code for translation works as follows:

JOBS = 0123 (J=0, O=1, B=2, S=3)

And hence the alphanumeric series is to be deciphered as:

0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
456789ABCDE2FGHIJKL0MNOP1QRS3TUVWXYZ

The result:
CONGRA T UL ATION SK EE PSEAR CHIN GORCALL6 17 6390 570×10
CONGRATULATIONS KEEP SEARCHING OR CALL 617 639 0570 (extension 10)

We just had a free-wheeling conversation with Meetul Patel, India Head of the Transformational Consulting Practice at Capgemini Consulting. His career story makes for a compelling read and he also has some great advice for aspiring CEOs. We’ve shared the conversation here.

This 128-page presentation called “Reference Guide on our Freedom & Responsibility Culture” was circulated at Netflix a few weeks ago. It details the prevalent culture at Netflix. What was meant to be an internal document for employees to read, has now become a killer recruitment pitch.

We’ve put together the fifth edition of 42.0 – Ted Turner 42.0. This is a set of 42 quotes by Turner selected by us after going through all the articles where he’s been quoted. This compilation was put together by my friend, Adwaita, and it’s a must-read. My favourite is Quote #41:

I know what I’m having ‘em put on my tombstone: ‘I have nothing more to say.’

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS) is conducted quarterly to measure employers’ hiring intentions in the forthcoming quarter as compared to the current quarter. This survey is based on interviews with 72,000 public and private sector employers across 35 countries to measure anticipated employment trends each quarter. In India the sample size is nearly 5637.

Key Findings of MEOS Q4, 2009

• With a Net Employment Outlook of +25%, India’s employers report the most optimistic forecast among all 35 countries and territories participating in the survey. India’s Outlook has improved by 6 percentage points quarter-over-quarter, but weakens by 14 percentage points when compared to 4Q 2008.
• Employers in four of seven industry sectors and three of four regions surveyed report stronger Outlooks when compared to 3Q 2009.
• Hiring optimism is strongest among employers in the Wholesale & Retail Trade (+34%) industry sector. The sector Outlook is 13 percentage points stronger quarter-over-quarter and 3 percentage points weaker year-over-year.
• Manpower India cites a recent Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) study that indicates jobs in infrastructure, construction and hospitality are expected to ‘increase tremendously’ in advance of the Commonwealth Games scheduled in 2010.
• The softest hiring pace in India is reported by employers in the Transportation & Utilities (+16%) industry sector employers where the Outlook declines by 2 and a considerable 20 percentage points quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, respectively. This is the least optimistic forecast by sector employers since the survey began in 3Q 2005.
• Employers in the Manufacturing (+21%) industry sectors are also reporting the least optimistic hiring forecasts since the India survey began in 3Q 2005.
• Employers in the East and South (both at +25%) regions report the country’s strongest hiring expectations. The Outlook in the East is 3 percentage points stronger quarter-over-quarter but 7 percentage points softer year-over-year. Despite the comparative optimism, employer hiring intentions in the South are the weakest reported in the region since the survey began in 3Q 2005, and decline by 16 and 18 percentage points quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, respectively.
• Employers in the West (+20%) region report the country’s weakest hiring intentions. While the Outlook is 7 percentage points stronger when compared to 3Q 2009, it declines on a year-over-year basis by a considerable 16 percentage points.

Read the entire report below:

Shared from the Slideshare Newsletter:

These seven presentations are handpicked by the Applicant Blog at applicant.com. They also got some love from from getthatjobonline.com

1. Effective Job Interviewing from Both Sides of the Desk
   It is gives great advice by looking at both sides of the job interview. My favorite tidbit is, “Your Awesomeness is not self-evident.”
2. 10 Job Search Attitudes that Will Get You More Interviews
   Short, but sweet. I think attitude is often an overlooked piece in the job hunt puzzle. My favorite tidbit is, “I will search as if I don’t need a job.”
3. Rethink your Job Search
   This reads a bit like marketing material for JobTiger, but is still has good content. My favorite tidbit is, “Tap into job openings that may not have been published.”
4. Leveraging LinkedIn for the Job Search
   A great little walkthrough on using LinkedIn for your job search. Favorite tidbit, “When you find a connection, leverage it to find other connections.”
5. 10 Commandements of Job Search
   This is the presentation by the Applicant Blog, and it stresses staying positive. “Ignore the fact that your friend, uncle, aunt and even your mother-in-law is unemployed. It’s about you.”
6. Job Search with Social Media & Mobile
   This is a great presentation that covers LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & some mobile apps. “Maxims remain the same … tactics are very different.”
7. Converging Trends Impacting Your Job Search
   It covers a lot of ground discussing marketing trends, social media and what networking means today. “Become a content expert … shift, cull & create content”

(Link via Yash)