Company introduces Code on the Road challenge in select cities
Uber is scouting for potential hires through hacking challenges offered to users during their rides. The challenges are appearing in the Uber app under a heading that reads: “Code on the Road.” SeveralTwitter users have posted screenshots of the mobile game, and Uber confirmed to Business Insider last week that it’s using it to find new talent.
Some who have shared the screenshots online already work in engineering, but Uber insists that it isn’t using personal information to target users. Instead, the company says it is rolling out the feature in US cities with high concentrations of tech jobs.
“We are always looking for new ways to reach potential candidates that want to join our team and help us solve interesting problems. If you’re in a place where a lot of people work in tech, you may see our ‘Code on the Road’ challenge within the rider app,” a spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider. “The option to play gives interested riders the opportunity to show us their skills in a fun and different way — whether they code on the side or are pursuing a career as a developer.”
The game involves three coding challenges, and participants have 60 seconds to complete each one. If they score well enough, users will be prompted to contact Uber directly through the app. They’ll then receive an email with a link to a job application.
Uber is also looking to engage with hackers to improve its product. Last week, the company announced that it will pay up to $10,000 to any hackers who find bugs that could compromise security and user privacy. That challenge begins on May 1st.