Box Executive Loves Candidates’ Side Projects—and His Involves Bringing Back Old-School TV

Projects beyond interview exercises

Case studies were once common in Box interviews, but Wacker said they have become outdated. He now wants candidates to prototype their ideas. He is especially interested in products candidates have built with AI, even when they are unrelated to Box. Some applicants have shown him mobile apps they developed, placed on the App Store and begun monetizing.

Experimenting with AI

Wacker said people who explore and experiment with AI are better positioned to succeed in an AI-driven world. They learn how to apply the technology in their personal and professional lives.

He has worked in software engineering and product management for almost 30 years. He said he began as a “computer nerd” who enjoyed trying software tools and building things.

A personal TV project

As his career advanced, Wacker said he had less time to build and experiment. AI has recently let him test small ideas he previously lacked time to pursue, including through vibe coding.

He described weekend viewing as a source of decision fatigue, with six streaming services and a vast number of titles to browse. He said projects like these help him learn available tools, find applications for them and satisfy his desire to create.