from Gergely Orosz | by Gergely Orosz

Everyone is struggling to hire software engineers with *some* experience. I've talked with dozens of candidates landing a new job, and companies who are still hiring successfully. Here's what companies who are still hiring in this very hot market are doing (thread):

1. For unknown startups (seed funded or Series-A): the ones hiring people radically changed their processes: - Founders personally talking to candidates and selling - Far more lightweight process. No "leetcode" interviews. A collaborative, no-stress task (often paid) is frequent.

2. Pay & equity at startup-level. You *cannot* close candidates in this market with lowballs. Startups/small companies hiring have moved up their ranges by a LOT. "Got offers for £50-60K at UK startups. I accepted a YC startups' £90K + 0.2% offer" - from an engineer with 3 YOE.

3. Big tech: the hiring process did not change that much, as many people are still willing to jump through the hoops, knowing they'll get a great offer (prep advice: t.co/OgLf9gBB6w) But they also struggle to close and do negotiate: 15-40% extra.

4. Sharing compensation ranges in job descriptions. With so many opportunities, inbound applications are few. Companies who added a number of what they pay see a lot more inbounds: t.co/kEQxYvUsFj

5. Startups and same pay worldwide. This is something big tech cannot compete with, but startups can pull off. Companies like @RevenueCat pay the same, worldwide, from SF to Madrid. So few companies do this that this 10-50xes applications. t.co/R6PEsGFEv9

6. The long-game. Another set of companies who is not struggling with hiring are ones who have invested in hiring, branding, relationships for many months or years. Where candidates are applying because they know it's a good culture/big challenge/great growth/massive opportunity

7. In summary: it's an employee's market. - Invest in your long-term hiring plan (branding, relationships) etc over just short-term fixes - Companies and hiring managers need to sell much more than before - Don't lowball - Offer equity if not already t.co/WxQ9pQh2mY

8. Quotes from candidates switching jobs: "Can't believe Apple up-leveled me to ICT5 and offered 30% more than the first offer." "This YC company gave me a technical challenge to do, and I could ask them questions. A founder even hopped on a zoom call to help. It was so nice!"