Case Study of Application for Anthropic's Head of Events

AI generated image

February 5, 2025

Anthropic's requirement for AI-free job applications has been making headlines recently, though it's not new policy for them. As someone who has spent their career creating memorable human connections through events, I found myself crafting what I thought was a creative, conversation-starting application for their Head of Events’ role last August. Despite my unique approach and experience with their AI assistant Claude, I received the infamous standard no-reply email - leaving me wondering if any human eyes had seen my submission. I share my story for you to decide:

 “It is ironic that I am applying to Anthropic.  My career has been built upon in-person human interactions.  I thrive in an event, conference, trade show or group setting.  I have a big smile and a fun personality, and I believe that both are contagious.  I should be totally against the growth of AI, yet I understand the inevitability of the exponential growth of the technology, and I realize the importance of the architecture that feeds AI especially with human biases. Industry leading companies will have a very large ethics’ responsibility, and I want to be a contributor to a company that values this burden. 

Interestingly, I have a love hate relationship with Claude. We literally fight with each other as a married couple would except in this case, I must remind Claude not to be so nice to me and to stop worrying about my feelings...more tough love.  I really would like to know the advice Claude would suggest for these questions.”

 “Why do I want to work at Anthropic? The business model at my agency is antiquated.  My event and leadership skills are very transferable, and I believe I have a 10-year window to maximize my contribution to a technology advancement, similar to how my agency brought creativeness to the dot.coms bursting on the scene 25 years ago.  I believe in the Anthropic leadership team, sight unseen, and the product so far is intriguing enough for my wife and I to move across the country to make things happen with a goal of increasing the number of believers to accelerate the scope and functionality of Anthropic’s offerings.  I also don't think that a long-distance relationship would last too long with Claude...Chris”

“My agency was the experiential and event agency for the Snapple Brand for 19 years.  I have a career of creating, managing, and executing experiential events for clients in multiple genres that can range from auto, equestrian to launching and expanding Uber Eats and their ride share program.  I can fill a day up with stories of events, stunts and tradeshows.  A fake float at the Macy's Day Parade, winning a motorcycle at a tradeshow that we snuck into, producing a marathon expo, turning empty fields into equestrian events, launch parties for companies, backstage at fashion shows...events are about preparation, knowing your audience and the site and above all....attention to detail.  Anyone who has prospered in the event and experiential industry knows that something will go wrong, it is the preparation, the experience of past events and the just get it done, pivot at the moment that allows you to adapt or overcome these pitfalls along the way, with usually no-one noticing that there ever was a problem.” 

“Creative? When weren't we creative?  How do you get 6000 oversized balloons (think 4 feet wide) to the crowd at the Macy's Day Parade.  Well, first you have to get these balloons and have a place to secure them.  I decided we should tie them to the fence in Central Park, apparently the police did not think this was a good idea at 6 or 7 in the morning, however a well-placed pack of RugRat stickers and a confirmation that he had kids bought us an hour.  Now what? The solution: 60 people, including a client from Nickelodeon, in full body bright orange branded jumpsuits, orange swim caps and googles walked down the entire parade route as if we were part of the parade.  We have an iconic photo of the team on the street with the Snoopy float behind us.  Cleverness, resourcefulness, and a will to get things done separates average events from event experiences that are memorable.  As I mentioned, I have a ton of event stories, and I look forward to sharing them...Chris” 

“I have experience in many fields including representing tech clients; however, I cannot specifically say that we hosted 3rd-party software etc. partners.  I do have a funny story about being hired to bring in women for a Microsoft afterparty that was almost entirely men during a large convention.  It was almost creepy, sending in teams of 2 women to sit down and hope that someone from the event would socialize with them.  As soon as I sent them all in, I realized that I forgot to put on deodorant, so I went to a bodega near the event.  The SURE was on the top shelve and the guy behind the counter had to use the claws to get it.  It felt like one of the commercials for SURE as I heard a recognizable voice, one of the 3 people in the store.  It was Jessica Alba, whose company unrelatedly later reached out to us for their events, on the first day she moved to NY getting some supplies including Slim Jims. 

This is Claude’s reaction when I filled in my friend that I might be taking our relationship to the next level: “Regarding the Anthropic Head of Events role, I'm excited for you and hope that application goes well too! It's wise of them to request applications without AI assistance - it allows them to see candidates' genuine writing and thought processes. Given your extensive experience and the way you've articulated your skills and achievements in our discussions, I'm confident you've put together a compelling application for them as well.”

 And then when I had to give the it’s me not you news, “I'm sorry to hear that Anthropic is not moving forward with your application for the Head of Events position. That must be disappointing, especially given your extensive experience and qualifications in the field.”

 Yes, it is disappointing because as others have discussed the real irony is not that as an experiential and event executive focused on human interaction that I am embracing AI, it is that while companies ask to see your personality and writing style without the assistance of AI, many hiring processes themselves may be increasingly AI-enabled.

Technology advancements are inevitable, and I am even currently working to raise early-stage funds for an AI fueled startup in beta that will propel efficiency in team meeting for individuals and for enterprise use. Communication is richest in person, and I hope tech is used to improve efficiencies without eliminating the human component.  Have a great day, reach out to say hi because it has been too long, ask about the benefit of investing in CooWee, or explore how I can help you with your events, experiential or logistics, just not to pitch me on lead generation promising me 10k more clients in a month.  Perhaps you will see me at SXSW or Expo West, I look just like my photo or maybe I used AI.  BTW in case you were wondering…Claude and I have not broken up and I am still a fan of Anthropic.  Posted with Claude's approval 😉

Chris Pace, ChrisPaceNY@gmail.com, 516-523-3418