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.
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Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
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/
2 days ago
2 days ago
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.
Manisha Sahni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manishasahni/
00:00 Introduction 00:58 Career Beginnings and Challenges03:07 Hiring Manager Perspectives06:03 Recent Career Moves and Non-Negotiables09:16 Interview Strategies 14:43 Career Satisfaction22:37 Conclusion
2 days ago
2 days ago
Crucial tips on what to ask about startup financial health when interviewing and understanding how to join at the right time
In this episode, Isabel Rasmussen, founder of Proceso Talent, interviews Rob Owen, Founder of My Runway Health , about the key considerations for assessing the financial health of startups. They dive into crucial questions candidates should ask when considering joining an early to mid-stage startup, and how to evaluate company culture and funding status. Additionally, the discussion touches on the risks and opportunities at different stages of a startup’s funding and hiring phases, offering practical advice on negotiating salary and equity. This episode is essential for anyone looking to make informed decisions in their startup career.
Isabel Rasmussen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelrasmussen/
Rob Owen: myrunwayhealth.com
00:00 Introduction 00:12 Meet Rob Owen: My Runway Health02:28 Key Questions for Startup Candidates04:53 Understanding Company Culture07:37 Evaluating Startup Financials11:05 Risk Assessment in Joining Startups12:21 Negotiating Salary and Equity18:22 Final Tips for Startup Interviews22:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Friday Apr 18, 2025
In this episode of Your Next Tech Startup we dive deep into the process of hiring software engineers with John Szeder, an engineering leader with 30 years of experience. John has directly hired between 500 and 1,000 employees and shares his wealth of knowledge on creating an effective hiring process that avoids common pitfalls. Learn why live coding interviews might be setting candidates up for failure, the importance of screening tests, and how to avoid false negatives. Discover practical strategies for revamping technical and non-technical interviews, the significance of resilience and curiosity in candidates, and why empathy in the hiring process is crucial. Whether you’re a hiring manager or a software engineer, this conversation is packed with valuable insights to improve your approach to hiring and interviewing.
Host: / isabelrasmussen
Guest: John Szeder: / jszeder
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Navigating the technical interview landscape can be a daunting task, both for candidates and interviewers alike. The conventional interview process often leaves much to be desired, typically failing to establish a meaningful connection between candidates and potential employers. This podcast episode explores the insights shared by host Isabel Rasmussen, CTO Kartik Lakshminarayanan, and Sr Software Engineer Levester Castaneda-Chaney, on creating an empathetic and constructive technical interview process. They emphasize the importance of moving away from a process that feels like a "firing squad" to one that resembles a genuine conversation.
Host: / isabelrasmussen
Guest: / kartikl
Guest: / levesterchaney
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Welcome to Your Next Tech Startup, hosted by Isabel Rasmussen, founder of Proceso Talent. In this episode, Isabel and Mark Roddy, a fractional VP of engineering, delve into the characteristics and mindsets that enable engineers to thrive in early-stage startups. They cover common misconceptions about startup life, the importance of being product-minded, and the ability to handle ambiguity and multiple tasks. The discussion aims to provide valuable insights for engineers considering a transition to an early-stage startup environment and help them determine if it’s the right fit for their career ambitions.
Host: / isabelrasmussen
Guest: / markroddy , https://www.launchit.ai/
Mark's Blog Post: https://www.launchit.ai/blog/who-succeeds-at-an-early-stage-startup