In 2023, Bending Spoons, a mid-sized tech company based in Milan, Italy, faced an overwhelming number of job applications, receiving 800,000 submissions for various positions. The company’s hiring process is notably rigorous, with only 286 candidates ultimately being selected, resulting in an acceptance rate of just 0.04%. This figure is significantly lower than the acceptance rates of Ivy League colleges, which typically hover around 4%. The CEO of Bending Spoons, Luca Ferrari, described the hiring process as unconventional, stating that it involves multiple rounds of assessments designed to evaluate candidates' reasoning, judgment, and learning speed. The initial screening process alone filtered out tens of thousands of applicants, with 60,000 candidates advancing to the next stage, which included tests and interviews. Ferrari criticized traditional interview methods, claiming they are largely ineffective in predicting a candidate's success. Instead, Bending Spoons employs hiring algorithms to analyze candidates' scores based on both quantitative and qualitative characteristics. After interviews and reference checks, the company makes its final hiring decisions. The competitive job market has intensified, particularly for entry-level positions, as many companies, including major tech firms like Meta, Microsoft, and Google, have reduced their hiring efforts. This trend has left many recent graduates struggling to secure employment, as junior roles are increasingly being automated. Despite the challenges, some companies, such as Goldman Sachs, continue to hire interns, albeit at a similarly low acceptance rate. The hiring landscape has become more challenging, reflecting broader economic uncertainties and the impact of technology on job availability.