Emergency Discussion: Can’t Hire the Right Developers? Here’s What Everyone Else Misses

Is your hiring process repelling the 70% of developers who aren't on job boards? Learn what they truly value and how to build authentic connections.

#1about 3 minutes

Understanding the challenge of hiring passive developer candidates

The majority of developers are passive candidates who are not on job boards, requiring a different approach to reach them.

#2about 3 minutes

Creating career progression beyond the management track

Many developers leave companies because the only path for promotion is into management, highlighting the need for robust individual contributor (IC) career ladders.

#3about 3 minutes

Why modern recruitment requires an individualized approach

Companies must move away from one-size-fits-all hiring processes to understand the unique motivations and needs of individual candidates.

#4about 5 minutes

What developers truly value in a potential employer

Developers seek a balance of stability and interesting technology, a voice in the company, and authentic culture over "we're a family" platitudes.

#5about 3 minutes

Shifting from CV-based to future-focused hiring

Instead of focusing on a candidate's past work history from a CV, hiring should be a conversation about future potential and shared goals.

#6about 3 minutes

Building a continuous presence in developer communities

To connect with developers, companies must listen carefully and meet them where they already are, such as in online communities and at events.

#7about 6 minutes

Creating an authentic employer brand for developers

An authentic brand is built by empowering your current engineers to be ambassadors and share their real experiences publicly at events and online.

#8about 4 minutes

Simplifying job titles to attract the right talent

Vague or overly creative job titles like "rockstar developer" create confusion and should be replaced with simple, clear titles that reflect the role's responsibilities.

#9about 4 minutes

Avoiding the pitfalls of AI-driven hiring processes

With both candidates and companies using AI for applications and job descriptions, it's crucial to establish a human connection as quickly as possible.

#10about 6 minutes

How to verify a candidate's real skills beyond their CV

Assess a developer's skills by reviewing their public code contributions, asking them to explain their problem-solving process, and keeping the interview process transparent.

#11about 2 minutes

The essential soft skills that define great developers

Great developers are distinguished by their ability to document their work, explain complex topics to non-technical peers, and maintain a strong sense of curiosity.

#12about 6 minutes

Turning company culture into authentic developer stories

Create compelling stories by empowering your developers to talk about their work, sharing post-mortems of failures, and clearly communicating the company's purpose.

#13about 6 minutes

The critical importance of salary transparency in job ads

Being upfront about salary ranges is essential for building trust and attracting candidates, as vague terms like "competitive salary" are a major red flag.