Ask A Recruiter - Tech

Some weeks the market feels ice cold, and other weeks my inbox looks like hiring season exploded. It’s unpredictable, but somehow patterns still appear. What’s the strangest market shift you’ve notice… more

Engineers roll their eyes when "Scrum" pops up in a job description. How much does it really matter today? I see high performing teams leaning more towards async communication first lately. … more

When the layoffs started a year ago, I thought the smartest choice for me was to quit tech entirely and figure out a new career, but a year later, I find myself still gravitating towards this field. R… more

I think we all know that saying "a team should be small enough to share a pizza". Have you seen larger groups make it work, though? If so, how did you choose the right people? My first gues… more

What are some key words I should look for in an interview that tells me to run away from this company?

One thing I’ve learned: titles in tech are all over the place. I’ve met “junior engineers” who could out-code seniors and “architects” who haven’t designed anything in years. Titles sometimes lie, ski… more

As the holidays approach, we keep hearing that many companies have implemented hiring freezes until next year. Although the government shutdown has ended, do you think the job market will start picking up a… more

N9w that the industry is coming to terms that AI is no where close to replacing humans, can we expect 2026 to back to hiring people again?

Which is more important — joining pre IPO for the potential lottery ticket or securing a high annual salary?

Is “culture fit” just a polite way to say no? Or is it something you can actually prepare for? Curious how you define it—and how candidates can show they add to culture, not just fit into it.

A candidate once asked if the team “actually uses cameras or just vibes”. I couldn’t stop laughing because it was such an honest question. How important is face-to-face time for you in remote roles?

I’ve seen more engineers switching teams internally than leaving the company. Sometimes a new manager or new project can change everything. Have you ever found a fresh start without changing employers… more

What made you first think tech recruiting could actually be your thing? When you look at where you are now, does the field still feel like a good place to be, or has your view changed over time?

For recruiters: how often are roles technically open but already informally filled? I once had a recruiter tell me, “You’re great, but we already have someone in the pipeline.”It made me wonder—how mu… more

Is “culture fit” just a polite way to say no?
Or is it something you can actually prepare for?

Curious how you define it—and how candidates can show they add to culture, not just fit into it.

Out job hunting again. I'm seeing so many conflicting opinions about which tech certifications matter for landing a remote job. What's the truth of the matter? What do recruiters wish people w… more

I once interviewed a consultant who gave all the right answers, and I thought I had found an amazingly talented and knowledgeable teammate. I later discovered he was just very assertive and had probab… more

Recruiters, what’s the biggest red flag you see in an interview or phone screen?

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I had someone tell me, “I don’t need the highest salary, just one that doesn’t make me cry on rent day”. Honestly, relatable. What’s your approach when talking numbers with a recruiter?

I finished a coding bootcamp and also have ten years in retail management, but don’t have a college degree. Are there tech roles that genuinely value customer-facing experience, and how do I compete w… more

During an interview, I got the feeling that I was being treated unfairly because the interviewer had a certain first impression of me. It felt like he disliked me. Has this ever happened to you? How d… more

How do you spot tech candidates who actually know how to collaborate cross-functionally, beyond just what’s listed on their resume? My last company was falling apart, but the good thing that came out … more

Read a job description that asked for “10 years of experience” in a framework that’s only existed for six. I had to laugh before fixing it. Have you come across those impossible JD wishlists?

Hey recruiters! I just got a job offer and I negotiated and they came up a little but still too low. I know the market is so tough right now. Should I take it and be grateful for a job or risk negotia… more

I'm doing an internship and experiencing ageism, but for being too young (aka inexperienced). It’s wild how you can show up hungry, bring in new ideas, run strategy circles, and still get side-eye… more

Is it better to give detailed answers or should I be more vague and let interviewers ask follow-up questions? I’ve noticed that sometimes I go too far into detail, and people lose interest or get lost… more

Is this a myth or reality? --> “You don’t need to meet 100% of the job requirements to apply.”

We’ve all heard this—but in practice, how forgiving are most teams if someone only hits 60–70%? Would l… more

Hey! What’s a normal time to have interviews? I just got an invite for a 7 pm interview and I feel like that is not appropriate. Should it be a red flag for the work life balance?

Note: we are the same… more

Not sure if this is because of all the massive layoffs, but why is it to so hard to find a good internship anywhere? Are they not a thing these days? Would love to hear the inside stories, if there ar… more

Recruiters, how has your preference for in-person vs remote interviews evolved over the years? I often feel that remote interviews make candidates more relaxed, whereas before COVID it seemed standard… more

When can long length at a company work against you? I’ve been with my company for almost 10 years and currently I’m happy and feel needed and rewarded. When is it time to look elsewhere?

I’ve gotten conflicting advice from different mentors:
One says “go super niche with your resume.”
Another says “keep it broad to stay open.”

From your seat—what actually works best right now? Would love… more

A few months ago, I applied for a job and went through a few rounds of interviews. I did not get the job and saw the listing get pulled. However, just today I saw that it was reposted. Do I reapply? M… more

Happy Monday! Good luck to everyone searching for a job. I know it’s hard going into the holidays.

Recruiters, should we expect a lull over the next 2 weeks? Is there any sort of pick up to gave peopl… more

Yesterday, a candidate ghosted me… then emailed today saying “my cat deleted my email”. Honestly, I respect the creativity. What’s the funniest excuse you’ve ever heard in the hiring process?

It's wild to think we've gone nearly three years of nonstop layoffs in tech, even though a real recession never officially hit. Every job posting seems to draw a sea of applicants, sometimes a… more

I met a candidate last week who admitted they get nervous in interviews even though they know their work well. They went on to nail every technical question. It reminded me how skill and confidence do… more

When someone has spent seven years running a bakery and coffee shop and managed to quadruple the revenue, how do you view that experience? Considering that I’ve also spent ten years in tech, is this s… more

Do you think recruiters are concerned about career gaps these days? Does it matter?

There’s a weird guilt loop that comes from wanting more while being “lucky to have a job.” Especially in this climate. But desire and gratitude can co-exist.
What’s something you want next in your care… more