Managing Your Tech Career v17 – (Why do recruiters suck so bad?)

17 years doing this session and this likely is the most important one I have done.

While things aren’t broken… they are not the same.

Hiring is happening: with smaller teams and higher expectations.

AI is being used across recruiting, hiring, annual reviews, and promotions.

And a lot of technologists are asking:

“Am I on the right path… and am I doing the right things?”

After a lot of conversations across the community this year, I’m back to share what I’m seeing and hearing, and how I’d think about building a career in tech right now.

This is a choose your own adventure agenda... please ask questions, bring up other/additional topics:

•The current state of tech hiring (Minnesota + Bay Area)

•How careers in tech actually develop (early, mid, and beyond)

•What employers are really looking for and how they evaluate candidates to hire and for promotions

•How AI is being used in hiring (what matters, what doesn’t)

•Why strong candidates are getting missed—and how to stand out

•Different ways to work in tech: full-time, contract, and project-based

•Why adaptability and optionality matter more than ever

•The growing importance of human skills in an AI-driven environment

•Practical ways to build visibility and momentum with your employer and community

•Looking out the next 1/3/5 years… things to do and be aware of

• All levels
• Careers