Ask A Recruiter - Tech

Do you feel like your job still reflects who you are?
I’ve been thinking about how much we evolve outside of work, and how rarely we take a moment to recalibrate our roles accordingly. The dissonance c… more

A developer once told me they hated networking until someone helped them land a dream role through one message. Now they preach referrals like it’s a secret superpower. I guess you don’t believe in th… more

During an interview, if a candidate seems shy, do you adjust your style to help them feel more comfortable, or do you prefer to stay direct to see how they react? I’ve met very confrontational recruit… more

Exercise: If your industry is in a hiring freeze, now is the time to reconnect with people you actually like working with. Don’t wait until you need a job to build your bench.
Who’s someone in your net… more

Recruiters WHY ARE THERE SO MANY INTERVIEW ROUNDS?!! Is this new? In all my previous roles there have been 3 or 4 interview rounds. Im currently interviewing and I’m on round 8! This is absurd

Trying to figure out my next move in tech and curious how others handled this. I’ve been in engineering/architecture for a long time, but the career ladder feels weird lately. Not sure if I should dou… more

I’ve noticed people often network only when they need a job. I used to be the same. But steady small interactions form real connections that last longer. Do you network even when you're not job se… more

What’s your take on candidates ghosting recruiters? I’ve personally never done it, I read a story about it and it seemed wild to me. For those of you in tech recruiting, do you ever see this and what’… more

Recruiters-

Are you seeing an increase in RTO? If so, are you offering more move spending? Are you giving that allowance? If not, is that limiting who you hire?

In your experience, which age group do you usually see applying the most, and which one actually gets the job offers more often? By looking at unemployment rates younger applicants should be the major… more

I know the pandemic changed a lot of things, but I always wonder how recruiters get to know the candidate without meeting in person. I’m not having a lot of luck with interviewing for remote developer… more

A hiring manager once told me they prefer candidates who’ve switched jobs every few years because “it shows they’ve seen things”. I used to think job hopping was risky, but now I see how it can build … more

I switched careers from mechanical engineering to coding because I love problem-solving and building things digitally, and I’ve spent the past two years picking up skills through bootcamps and solo pr… more

How does recruiting change going into the holiday season? Does it slow down? Pick up for the new year? What should I expect?

I’m nervous it is slowing down and will be long responses.

I'm a self-taught software developer with a portfolio of personal projects and a couple of freelance gigs. How much does not having a CS degree really hold people back these days? Recruiters, when… more

Now, a lot of roles are getting replaced by AI, But what are some of the common role in tech that won't get replaced by AI.

Recruiters, if you were looking for a new job right now. How would you use AI? Resumes? Cover letters? Interview responses? Education?

Let me know!

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

When do you make your decision with a candidate? I'm about to have my 4th round today, and a part of me is assuming this is because I'm a top candidate and will surely get the job. But there&#… more

A friend referred me once just because we worked well together years ago. That one referral opened doors faster than months of applying online. It made me realize relationships often matter more than … more

As a tech recruiter, have you ever suggested a candidate whose unkempt look (messy hair, wrinkled clothes, or overall neglected appearance) made you hesitate, even if their skills were a fit? I know m… more

I once got told in a performance review that I was “too calm” in meetings. At first I took it as a compliment, then realized it was masking disengagement. I started speaking up even when I felt unsure, and … more

I’ve noticed more and more people staying quiet in meetings, even when they have strong ideas. I wonder if it’s a product of remote culture or something deeper like burnout or fear of being wrong. I’ve caug… more

Recruiters - have you ever done an interview NOT at the workplace or simply on Zoom?

Have you ever set up an interview at a coffee shop or restaurant?

I just got an interview set up at a coffee shop an… more

Do you apply any DEI when hiring candidates? Are there any elements of DEI that will make you think twice about a candidate?

Some of the best conversations I’ve had with candidates were not about their tech stack but about how they solve problems with incomplete requirements. It seems like adaptability is becoming the new s… more

Hey recruiters, how many rounds of interviews does a typical role has before making a decision nowadays. I know this will vary by roles, but I felt like now, it is normal to have 4-7 rounds of intervi… more

Recruiters usually just glance at resumes, but if someone has an internal referral, what do recruiters look for then?
Do they pay extra attention to those resumes?

Are people finding success in other careers outside of tech or are we all just waiting for that rebound. The optics do not look good for 2026.

Something strange happened at work. The new director asked managers to rate each developer from 1 to 10 and list who does or does not have a computer degree. When I asked why, they said people with CS… more

I once referred a great candidate who struggled in the first interview just because they were nervous. The hiring panel almost passed, but after a second conversation they realized how strong the pers… more

How open are companies to hiring women in their 40s and 50s for tech roles like Sales? Especially client facing roles.
Do experience and maturity still get overlooked because of age or gender bias — or… more

How does the “Open to Work” logo appear when you start posting on LinkedIn to increase visibility and showcase your knowledge?
Do recruiters judge you by thinking, “If you know so much, why are you sti… more

For recruiters, I am thinking about going into HR. How has your role changed since you started in recruiting?

Would you recommend going into this field?

Sometimes I think the best candidates don’t “interview well” because they’re actually too heads-down doing the work. The people who get through the funnel are often just better at self-presentation. H… more

What are your thoughts on bolding certain keywords or skills on resumes? I personally really like the bolding, but I’m seeing mixed reception online. I’m helping former coworkers with their resumes an… more

Got laid off two weeks ago. Honestly the weekend feels so different now. On one hand, I am grateful to have a few days to feel “normal” because no one is working and to give myself a break. On the oth… more

Looking for an honest answer here. Are you discouraged from going forward with hiring someone who is older? I'm in my early 50s, and sadly, I haven't aged well so I could easily be mistaken fo… more

From a recruiter’s point of view, how does being open about getting laid off or not having an offer on the table make a candidate look, honestly? Does it unintentionally weaken candidate's negotia… more

Feels like layoffs are happening everywhere right now. It’s honestly scary. In my city, IBM let go of almost half their team and said it’s because of AI. Makes me wonder what the future looks like for… more