10x Recruiting The real job of a recruiter? Just two things.
Nov 25, 2025
Dan McCarthy, Talent Partner at Paradigm and a seasoned leader in tech recruiting, shares his insights on evaluating talent beyond resumes. He emphasizes that recruiters have just two main tasks: don't mess up, and exhibit polish and charisma. Dan argues that building long-term relationships is crucial in an AI-driven world, where human connection adds value. He advocates for deeper interviews, focusing on candidates' life stories, and stresses the importance of a curated content diet for sharp thinking.
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Top Talent Requires Extraordinary Signal
- Most candidates are not good for high-expectation startup roles; top performers have done unusually difficult things.
- Judgment depends on who you know, so your reference class shapes who you call "good."
Relationships And Judgment Are Scarce
- Relationships and judgment don't scale because time and attention are finite.
- Executive search exists because deep, meaningful knowledge of people requires long-term proximity.
Build Exec Relationships Years Ahead
- Invest time meeting top people long before roles open to enter their decision loop.
- Give value repeatedly so you earn the right to be part of their future moves.