Startup Recruiting

Insights on startup recruiting for AI-era teams. Frameworks and data from Human in the Loop Talent.

What's the best hiring framework for early stage startups?

A seven-step system for seed to Series B teams, starting before the job description.

How do I hire my first engineers as a founder?

What predicts success at seed stage, and what an early mis-hire actually costs.

How do I find great candidates as an unknown startup?

Three channels that compound, and how to compete without top-of-market cash.

How do I interview and evaluate candidates?

One signal per interview, written evidence first, and questions that actually predict success.

How do I close, onboard, and keep early hires?

Why onboarding fails through under-specification, and why early employees really leave.

How do I scale recruiting without hiring a recruiter?

A seven-part operating system for technical hiring before a recruiting function exists.

Should I use a recruiter or hire myself at seed stage?

When to run the search personally, and when an external recruiter earns the fee.

What are the benefits of using a recruiting firm for a startup?

The four benefits that are real, what each is worth, and the cases where the fee is not.