Startup Lures Job Seekers With Logo Tattoo Challenge
WHO:
Fast Company - The startup involved is LemonLime, co-founded by Jordan Zietz.
Inc - Seven individuals received tattoos in exchange for job interviews.
WHAT:
Fast Company - Zietz stated that the stunt was designed to find applicants who are “bold” and “take risks,” emphasizing that “being committed to our mission is paramount.”
Fast Company - One party attendee named Lucas Chu shared pictures of posters at the event that read, “Top 3 most liked LinkedIn posts about LemonLime by 10pm come skydiving with the team.”
Fast Company - Zietz commented on social media, “So when are we skydiving?” in response to the event's promotional posters.
Fast Company - An attendee clarified that her tattoo was a personal design, not the company’s logo, but noted that “almost everyone else got a LemonLime logo tattoo.”
Fast Company - Zietz stated, “What I thought would be a fun, memorable way to meet people was, in reality, reckless, and instead came across as tying a permanent tattoo to job opportunity, which showed poor judgement.”
Fast Company - Zietz mentioned that LemonLime had prepared to pay for tattoo removal for “anyone facing any delayed regret.”
Fast Company - Zietz clarified that “interviews were available to everyone regardless,” whether tattooed or otherwise.
Fast Company - LemonLime offered job interviews to candidates willing to get a tattoo of the company's logo.
Fast Company - Seven people got tattoos at the party.
Inc - All seven tattoo recipients are now in the process of interviewing for engineering roles.
Fast Company - Zietz stated, “I messed up,” regarding the backlash from the tattoo challenge.
WHERE:
Fast Company - The event took place at an afterparty for Y Combinator Startup School.
WHEN:
Fast Company - The event occurred during a recent afterparty, with a viral post from Zietz being shared on social media shortly after.
WHY:
Fast Company - The challenge was designed to find applicants who are “just as crazy as we are,” according to Zietz.
Fast Company - Zietz aimed to create a memorable way to meet potential candidates.
HOW:
Fast Company - Zietz indicated that participants were not specifically asked to get the company’s logo tattoo, as they chose their own designs.
Fast Company - A tattoo artist was brought to the party to facilitate the tattooing process for candidates.
Fast Company - Zietz indicated that participants chose their own tattoos, and no one was asked to get the company’s logo specifically.
(UPDATED July 31, 2026 04:08 UTC)
In a bold move to attract adventurous applicants, Zietz announced that attendees at a recent event could earn a skydiving experience with the team by posting their top LinkedIn posts about LemonLime by a specific deadline. While one attendee showcased her personal tattoo design, she noted that most others opted for the company's logo tattoo, although Zietz clarified that participants were free to choose their own designs. Responding to the excitement, Zietz playfully asked on social media, “So when are we skydiving?”
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(UPDATED July 31, 2026 01:33 UTC)
In a recent statement, Zietz expressed regret over a promotional event that he initially thought would be a fun way to connect with people, but instead realized it was reckless and poorly judged, likening it to tying a permanent tattoo to job opportunities. He also noted that LemonLime is prepared to cover tattoo removal costs for anyone experiencing regret from the event. Zietz emphasized that interviews were open to everyone, regardless of whether they had a tattoo or not.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 20:29 UTC)
In a bold recruitment move, LemonLime, co-founded by Jordan Zietz, offered job interviews to candidates willing to get a tattoo of the company's logo during a recent afterparty for Y Combinator Startup School. Seven individuals took the plunge and received tattoos at the event, and all are now in the process of interviewing for engineering roles. Zietz acknowledged the backlash from the unconventional challenge, stating, “I messed up,” while emphasizing that the goal was to find applicants who are “just as crazy as we are.”