Ask A Recruiter - Tech

Recruiter Q because I’m so curious. You’re speed-dating candidates. You only get 1 question to ask that tells you 90% of what you need.
👉 What’s the question?

Tech recruiters, how do you really manage work-life balance? Have you ever been asked to jump into hiring tasks after hours or even during holidays? I hope you won't be reviewing our resumes durin… more

What’s something job seekers obsess over… that you barely even notice?

Hey tech recruiters, what's your perspective on the tech market outlook for 26Q1. Would it get better, worse, or stay the same, and why. Thanks

Let’s say someone’s been laid off and needs to find something fast—what’s the most high-ROI move in the first 48 hours?
Would love to hear what’s actually worked for you or someone you know.

What’s everyone’s stance on asking for a promotion within a year of accepting a new role? I feel like I am way under paid for what I do.

I used to think contractors changed jobs too often, but after seeing their pay rates… I get it now. Sometimes flexibility and money win over stability. Would you switch to contracting if the pay diffe… more

How transparent should companies be about using AI in hiring? Should I be informed if an AI system is the first one evaluating my application?
If I’m rejected by an AI system, should I have the right t… more

What’s the best cyber company to work in marketing for? Curious salary ranges for larger cyber in the field marketing area

How is the culture at Anthropic? How flexible are they for internal transfers?

Hey Recruiters! I’m looking for a job in AI however, I’m nervous that it really is a bubble and will be and for my career future. Any insights?

I wonder if this also applies to AI-assisted recruitment: I read a paper about using LLMs for coding, and it suggested that although experienced software engineers feel like they work faster, they actually become… more

A senior engineer recently told me they only apply to roles where they like the product. Made me think how often we settle for “it pays the bills”. Would you ever turn down a well-paid job because the… more

Six years ago, I got hired into a role I wasn’t technically qualified for—on paper. But someone took a chance on my curiosity and storytelling skills. That one break changed the arc of my career.
What’… more

What is the average time in tech industry that people spent looking for a role. To be be more specific business strategy/PM/PMM type of role for manager or senior managers. Thank you

I hear there's mass layoff incoming for Amazon and TikTok. Amazon may be laying off thousands of employees this round🥲

I’ve had two near misses for tech jobs where I made it to the final round and then got rejected with vague feedback. How honest are hiring teams really about why someone doesn’t make it, and is it eve… more

What’s the best way to handle a review with negative feedback? I have to deliver some not so good news to my specialist about her performance lately

I want to say that I am very grateful that I have a job in tech right now. However, near the end of each year our company does a lot of shuffle and promotions. However, this year almost no one got a p… more

I moved from retail into a B2B SDR role and I’m worried my resume still screams “store associate” more than “early tech sales pro.” When you screen people like me, what do you actually want to see qua… more

One candidate told me the nicest rejection they ever got was “we’re not worthy of your skills”. I might steal that line. What’s the most memorable rejection you have received or sent?

As a recruiter, is it obvious when someone is trying to get a competitive offer just to get a raise for their current job?

When one of your teams needs a new leader, do you prefer promoting someone from within the group, choosing talent from another team, or hiring someone completely new from outside? In your experience, … more

Hey recruiters! I applied for a lateral position. I am very confident I’m going to get the job. However, I heard that there will be no salary negotiations. Is that normal? It’s a completely new job an… more

What’s something job seekers obsess over… that you barely even notice? I feel like I’m hyper focused on the wrong things when they don’t really matter too much

You’re hiring for your own dream team—what’s one quality or skill you’d prioritize that isn’t usually in a job description?

I just got to a final round and got rejected. Is it okay if I ask for feedback? I really want feedback to help improve for next round. Should I email the recruiter?

Are there companies that post job openings with very high salaries and impressive descriptions for many positions at once as a form of advertisement? Sometimes I read these postings and feel like some… more

I once talked to a candidate who whispered their entire call because they were hiding in a meeting room. Job searching while employed should be an Olympic sport 😂 What’s the funniest place you’ve tak… more

I once got rejected because they felt I was “not the right vibe”. I still don’t know what vibe they wanted. Tech hiring can feel like dating sometimes. Have you ever felt judged on something you can’t… more

How much does saying "I don’t know" to a few questions matter in an interview, in your opinion? Does it show intellectual honesty, or is it always a no-no even if you genuinely don’t know th… more

I'm trying to move into a DevOps role, but most postings ask for hands-on cloud experience. Would it make sense to take a certification like AWS Solutions Architect first, or should I try to find … more

I once spent an hour debating if I should remove one line from my resume, only for the hiring manager to tell me they barely read it. Do you also obsess over small resume details that no one notices?

Today, I’m deeply thankful for everyone who has been part of my journey — your support, kindness, and presence mean more than words.

If I had to pick one thing I’m most grateful for this year, it’s growth — the lessons, the c… more

I've been a contractor for over two years through an agency and want to convert to full-time with the client company. How do recruiters usually handle that transition, and is there a polite way to… more

Does taking a counteroffer hurt your reputation long term? I accepted a counteroffer to stay after getting an external offer, but now things feel tense with leadership. How do recruiters view candidat… more

I'm a mid-level software engineer, and I've been getting a lot of automated rejections after applying through company portals. How can I tell if my resume is being filtered out by an ATS, and … more

Startups often want people who can ship fast and handle chaos. From your experience, what shows that on a CV? I once joined a team where priorities changed daily, not kidding, but I’m never sure how t… more

Happy thanksgiving everyone. I’m still looking for a job, I was just in a final round and found out today I didn’t get the job, really trying to be grateful for my health and family and friends this year. However… more

How do you know you are choosing the right job? I was recently presented with an offer for a full time role vs a contract I love. I want to stay with the work I love (since that's what we're t… more