Your Next Tech Startup
Hiring is tough — software engineers hate job searching, hiring managers are stretched thin, and interviews? They suck for everyone. But finding the right people is critical for building a great startup. This podcast is for software engineers navigating startup hiring. We dive into real stories from startup leaders, uncover what makes a great (or terrible) hiring process, and explore how to make finding and landing startup jobs suck less. Each episode features a founder, hiring manager, or software engineer sharing their journey, hiring philosophy, and lessons learned. We’ll also break down hiring pain points—job descriptions, resumes, interviews, negotiation, culture screening, and more. Expect real talk, expert insights, and the occasional resume roast.
Episodes

5 hours ago
5 hours ago
In this episode, Isabel Rasmussen interviews Dom Scandinaro, the CTO of Cameo, discussing the current hiring for a senior full stack engineer role. Dom shares insights about his journey to Cameo, the company's growth and stability, technical challenges, unique engineering culture, and the interview process. The conversation highlights the exciting opportunities at Cameo and the importance of understanding the product for potential candidates.
Host: Isabel Rasmussen https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/
Guest: Dom Scandinaro https://www.linkedin.com/in/dom-scandinaro/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Role at Cameo
01:07 Dom Scandinaro's Journey to Cameo
04:21 Core Values and Growth Opportunities
05:32 Current Landscape and Challenges at Cameo
07:23 Technical Challenges and Engineering Focus
10:08 Engineering Culture and Onboarding Process
11:17 Interview Process and Candidate Preparation
Music by: https://www.bensound.com
Artist: Marcus P.
License code: 4YKVHGTNVRLVH3BV

Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Maximizing Networking for Engineering Hires: Insights from Randy Chong, VP of Engineering @ Healthcare.com
In this episode, we sit down with Randy Chong, VP of Engineering at Healthcare.com, to discuss the power of networking in making successful hires. Drawing from his extensive experience with over 100 hires and countless interviews, Randy shares compelling stories and practical advice. Learn how he utilizes LinkedIn, personal connections, and even board game nights to build a strong team. Whether you're an engineering leader or a job seeker, discover valuable tips on leveraging your network effectively. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with real-world examples and actionable takeaways!
Host: Isabel Rasmussen https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/
Guest: Randy Chong https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-chong/
00:00 Introduction to the Interview
00:56 Utilizing Your Network for Hiring
01:23 Networking Through Board Games: The Story of Alvin
03:46 Networking Through Board Games: The Story of Simon
10:47 Networking Through Board Games: The Story of Theodore
18:28 General Networking Tips and Conclusion
Music by: https://www.bensound.com Artist: Marcus P. License code: 4YKVHGTNVRLVH3BV

Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
How to Hire People who Build Awesome Products: Insights from SERV Founder Nickhil Bhave
Blog: How to Hire People who Build Awesome Products https://bhave.substack.com/p/hire-product-people-that-build-awesome?sd=pf
Join Isabel Rasmussen as she sits down with SERV founder Nickhil Bhave to discuss his extensive hiring experiences across various stages of company growth—from Amazon to late-stage startups to founding his own startup. They discuss the importance of a rigorous and competent hiring process. The key parts to a great hiring process are defining the must haves, training and aligning the hiring team, and focusing the debrief around the requirements. This is a great episode for startup leaders who need to hire people to build awesome products.
Host: Isabel Rasmussen https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/
Guest: Nickhil Bhave https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickhil-bhave/
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:46 Nickhil's Background and Experience
02:09 Challenges of Startup Hiring
03:41 Importance of Mission Alignment
07:07 Effective Interview Planning
09:47 Debriefing and Feedback
15:17 Final Thoughts and Advice
Music by: https://www.bensound.com
Artist: Marcus P.
License code: 4YKVHGTNVRLVH3BV

Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
Now Hiring: US Remote Lead Engineer at Thrizer - An Interview With CEO Raunak Sharma.
In this episode of 'Your Next Tech Startup,' we dive into the exciting opportunity for a Lead Engineer at Thrizer. Host Isabel interviews Thriver's CEO Raunak Sharma about their mission to make mental health services more accessible, their bootstrapped growth strategy, and the unique challenges and rewarding aspects of the role. The discussion covers Thrizer's origins, the company's commitment to mental health, and the collaborative, mission-driven team environment. For those passionate about mental health with expertise in full-stack development and infrastructure, this is a must-watch episode. Visit my LinkedIn page to view the job posting and apply!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/
Music by: https://www.bensound.com
Artist: Marcus P.
License code: 4YKVHGTNVRLVH3BV

Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
In this conversation, Isabel and Amey discuss the intricacies of the engineering hiring process, focusing on the importance of defining the ideal candidate, structuring take-home challenges, and fostering trust and transparency throughout the hiring journey. They explore how to evaluate candidates effectively while ensuring a positive experience, especially in a startup environment. Amey shares insights on the significance of communication, the role of coding interviews, and the impact of AI on hiring practices.
Host: Isabel Rasmussen https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen
Guest": Amey Desai https://www.linkedin.com/in/amey-desai-a414221a8/
Music by: https://www.bensound.com
Artist: Marcus P.
License code: 4YKVHGTNVRLVH3BV

Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
Join host Isabel Rasmussen as she engages in an insightful conversation with engineering leader Philip Gollucci about hiring in the tech world. Philip shares compelling stories from his extensive experience, providing invaluable tips for both hiring managers and job seekers.
Isabel Rasmussen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/Philip Gollucci: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgollucci/
Music by: https://www.bensound.com
Artist: Marcus P.
License code: 4YKVHGTNVRLVH3BV

Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
In this conversation, Isabel Rasmussen and Michael Cioni discuss the intricacies of hiring and team building in startups, particularly as they scale from zero to 100 employees. Michael shares his experiences and insights on the importance of hiring versatile team members, the challenges of maintaining company culture, and the necessity of flexibility in both employees and founders. They explore the Shackleton approach to hiring, the significance of cultivating talent, and the impact of remote work on company dynamics. The discussion also touches on negotiating compensation and the evolving landscape of startup culture in the face of technological advancements like AI.
Host: Isabel Rasmussen / isabelrasmussen
Guest: Michael Cioni / michaelcioni
Music by: https://www.bensound.com
Artist: Marcus P.
License code: 4YKVHGTNVRLVH3BV

Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
Join host Isabel Rasmussen and guest Daniel Schotland, COO of Linqia, as they dive into the intricacies of engineering leadership, hiring practices, and the distinctions between technical and non-technical interview processes. They explore the importance of soft skills within technical teams, the evolution of engineers into management roles, and effective interviewing strategies to assess both technical and interpersonal competencies.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:34 Engineering Hiring Practices
01:25 Importance of Soft Skills in Non-Engineering Roles
04:22 Training and Process in Hiring
05:19 Defining Engineering Culture
07:33 Effective Interview Techniques
12:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Your Host: Isabel Rasmussen 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/
I'm a Fractional Head of Technical Recruitment who works directly with engineering leaders to hire top talent — from Senior Software Engineers to Directors of Engineering. With over a decade of experience recruiting for high-growth startups, I bring a strategic, hands-on approach to scaling technical teams that thrive in fast-paced environments.
🎙 Host of Your Next Tech Startup — a weekly podcast featuring founders, engineering leaders, and hiring experts on what it really takes to build and grow startup teams.
Let’s connect if you're growing a team or want to talk startups, recruiting, or tech hiring trends.

Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
In this episode, host Isabel Rasmussen talks with Matthew O'Meara, founder with extensive experience from companies like OpenTable, Practice Fusion, and Sun Basket. They discuss how AI is reshaping the role of engineers and startups. O'Meara shares his extensive experience, the importance of learning to partner with AI, and provides practical advice for young engineers and entrepreneurs.
Isabel Rasmussen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/Matthew O'Meara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-omeara/

Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Join us as Isabel Rasmussen interviews engineering leader Manisha Sahni about her career transformation over the past 20 years. Manisha shares her experiences moving from India to the US during the 2008 recession, overcoming hurdles in the job market, and her journey from managing small to large teams. They discuss the importance of knowing your non-negotiables, evaluating company fit during interviews, and strategies for successful job offer negotiations.
Host: Isabel Rasmussen https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen
Guest: Manisha Sahni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishasahni/