The Pragmatic Engineer

Confessions of a Big Tech recruiter

183 snips
Jan 8, 2025
Blake Stockman, a former tech recruiter at Google, Meta, and Uber, now runs his own recruitment agency and studies law. He shares eye-opening insights on the opaque hiring processes at major tech companies. Blake reveals tips on navigating salary negotiations and why candidates shouldn’t disclose salary expectations too early. He discusses the unique dynamics of recruiting for startups versus big tech. Additionally, he emphasizes the power of authentic relationships between recruiters and candidates to improve hiring success.
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ADVICE

Candidate-Recruiter Relationship

  • As a software engineer candidate, treat the recruiter relationship professionally, but be cautious about oversharing.
  • Be authentic, build a genuine connection, but be wary of disclosing salary expectations upfront.
INSIGHT

Recruiter Motivation

  • Recruiters primarily aim to fill the position, creating inherent friction with candidates' goals.
  • Good recruiters advocate for candidates they believe in, but prioritize company needs.
ADVICE

Building Authentic Connections

  • Recognize potential friction in the recruiter-candidate relationship and be authentic about your goals.
  • Avoid being robotic and build a genuine connection if possible.
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