How They Hire: Alex Karp, Co-founder and CEO of Palantir
Every week, we highlight a top founder's hiring playbook.
In a 2025 interview, Alex Karp joined “Squawk Box” on CNBC to discuss his new book, The Technological Republic, and geopolitics. Topics included the West losing its way, the political climate in Germany, resetting U.S.-Russia relations, his views on President Trump, and Elon Musk’s influence in Washington. He also shared his hiring playbook and Palantir's distinctive approach to hiring. He emphasized the search for talents who are resilient and possess a strong will to overcome challenges:
We are looking for people who are authentic and have a high tolerance for being different. The people who succeed at Palantir are the ones who are driven by a mission and are willing to fight for it. We want people who are not afraid to challenge the status quo and who are constantly learning and adapting. It is this quality that allows us to tackle some of the world's most difficult problems.
Alex Karp, Co-founder and CEO of Palantir
According to him, the most valuable individuals aren’t necessarily those with the most polished resumes, but those who bounce back from hits and keep swinging. The resume can wait. What counts is a "street fighter" mentality and a relentless drive to solve complex problems.
Karp's philosophy suggests a preference for innate talent and determination over conventional qualifications. So, when defining your recruitment strategy, try to focus on identifying and nurturing raw intellectual horsepower and a tenacious spirit.