Valve's job rejection letter to a high school teen is a class act

In 2015, Liem Nguyen had just finished high school, was struggling at home and was trying to find a way to make money while pursuing a career in games. He sent his resume to Valve, the company behind the most popular PC storefront and several well-known games, not expecting a response.

He received a rejection — and, unusually, a personal reply explaining the decision. Nguyen shared a picture of the email on social media; a Valve employee spelled out why the company looks for more seasoned talent and offered advice on how to improve. "Instead, we believe dedication, experience, and customer focus are what make good hires ...

Those things are intangible, aren't taught in schools, and are what differentiate typical candidates from special ones," the message said. "Basically, our advice is for you to follow your passion and spend the time perfecting your craft. The most important thing is for you to just begin creating games, whether on paper or on the computer.

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