Talent Acquisition in Tech: What Companies Get Wrong | Episode 21

Every great product starts with people. But finding the right people, and keeping them, has become one of the hardest challenges in tech.In this episode, Jason Ehmke and Duncan Mapes unpack the hidden struggles of talent acquisition. From navigating contract-to-hire strategies to cultivating trust through transparency, they share real-world lessons from building engineering teams that last. Beyond résumés and interviews, the conversation dives into how leadership directly shapes retention, why recruiters are more than gatekeepers, and how slow, clunky processes quietly repel top talent. This episode is about balancing short-term hiring pressure with the long game of building resilient, high-performing teams.Top Takeaways:Hiring the right people is crucial for success.Talent acquisition should be a thoughtful process.Contract-to-hire can mitigate hiring risks.Leadership quality directly impacts team performance.Creating opportunities for lateral mobility retains talent.Transparency fosters trust within teams.Building relationships with recruiters enhances candidate quality.Streamlining recruitment processes saves time and resources.A positive team environment encourages retention.Balancing short-term needs with long-term goals is essential.Connect with us:Duncan MapesJason EhmkeDevGrid.ioDevGrid on LinkedInDevGrid on X