In a post, Joel Spolsky mentioned that 5 digit Stack Overflow reputation can help you to earn a job paying $100k+. How much of that is real?

Would anyone like to share their success in getting a high paid job by virtue of their reputations on Stack Exchange sites?

I read somewhere that, a person got an interview offer from Google because a recruiter found his Stack Overflow reputation to be impressive. Anyone else with similar stories?

No


  the real answer: spend a few months earning a five digit Stack Overflow reputation, and you'll be getting job offers in the $100K+ range without an interview.


There is no reason why a high reputation (or "score") on any site will get you a job at all. I have pointed this out before, you are more likely to get a job by maintaining open source projects, writing proficiently, leaving good impressions, and making personal connections within the community.

Are these people good programers? Undoubtedly yes! Does that mean they are a good fit for your team? Absolutely not. Calling these people "superstars" may be completely correct, but that doesn't make them perfect. 1

What determines if you are a good fit? Interviews and connections. You can't replace meeting people face to face with a number.



Having a high reputation can't hurt, but it isn't a magic bullet.



1: In no way do I mean to imply these people are bad programmers, I mean to emphasize the inability to instantly and wholly judge someone based on a number.
