This Box executive loves candidates with side projects. His own involves bringing back old-school TV.

Rand Wacker, a Box executive and product strategy vice president, holds a strong belief in side projects. His ideal candidates not only possess AI knowledge but also actively engage in personal projects. Wacker particularly appreciates candidates who have monetized their side projects. He himself has delved into building, creating an Apple TV app reminiscent of traditional TV.

According to Wacker, AI competence alone is insufficient for landing a job at Box; having a fully-fledged side project demonstrates a candidate's true potential. Unlike the past when case studies were prevalent, he now seeks candidates who actively prototype their ideas. Wacker values candidates who have built products using AI, regardless of relevance to Box, as it showcases their passion and ability to effectively utilize AI in various aspects of life and work.

With a 30-year career in software engineering and product management, Wacker started as a "computer nerd" and continues to experiment with building using AI, despite limited time due to his busy schedule. Recently, he developed an app that brings back old-school TV, addressing the modern-day dilemma of decision fatigue when choosing what to watch.

By leveraging tools like Cursor, Wacker built an app that randomly selects and plays a movie from his entire library, reflecting his belief in the power of learning and experimentation through hands-on projects.