#500 The Recruiter’s VC Mindset: Betting on Startups and People with Justin Dixon

In this special 500th episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the talent game behind startup scaling and private equity moves. Joining us is Justin Dixon, founder of Hire Tomorrow, who brings nearly two decades of recruiting experience—from Fortune 500s to early-stage startups and PE-backed ventures.

We explore how AI is disrupting (and complicating) hiring, why job security at big companies is a myth, and how to evaluate a startup as if you were a VC—even when you’re just looking for your next role.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The shift from employee to founder mindset (and how Rich Dad Poor Dad started it all)

• How startups can compete with Fortune 500s for top talent

• Why private equity firms almost always replace the CFO post-acquisition

• What startup job seekers should really evaluate (hint: think like a VC)

• How AI is flooding hiring pipelines—and what that means for founders and recruiters

• Why job security at big companies is often an illusion

• How Justin uses AI as a “board of advisors” to sharpen his thinking

• The underrated power of podcasting for network building and deal flow

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🎓 What You’ll Learn:

• Practical hiring insights for both founders and job seekers

• How to vet a startup before joining—beyond the hype

• Trends shaping AI’s role in recruitment (and its limitations)

• The human side of recruiting that AI can’t automate

👤 About the Guest:

Founder of Hire Tomorrow, Justin Dixon brings a wealth of experience and passion to his business. With a career dedicated to the recruiting industry, Justin has effectively collaborated with companies of various sizes and across diverse industries, ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500.  In January 2020, he transitioned from his role as Head of Recruiting for a Wealth Management firm to establish Hire Tomorrow, dedicated to assisting Private Equity firms and Startups in finding the Right Talent to drive their success. Our focus extends across C-level roles, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Technology, ensuring a comprehensive approach to fulfilling our clients' staffing needs.

https://www.hiretomorrow.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmdixon15/

Episode Highlights (Timestamps):

00:00 – Introduction and Justin’s backstory

02:00 – Quitting a stable job to launch a recruiting firm

06:00 – Building financial freedom through entrepreneurship

08:30 – Working with private equity firms post-acquisition

13:00 – Why PE firms prioritize CFO replacements

15:00 – How startups can win talent over big companies

19:00 – What Justin looks for in a startup before recommending it

23:00 – Startup job seekers need a VC mindset

27:00 – How AI is disrupting hiring—and why it’s messy

33:00 – Why candidate experience is broken

37:00 – Limitations of AI interviews and hidden legal risks

41:00 – Why recruiters (and salespeople) won’t be replaced

43:00 – How podcasting builds network, not just visibility

46:00 – Wrap-up and how to reach Justin