Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (December 2025)

Hacker News Discussion ↗

Roles & backgrounds

  • Wide range of roles: backend, full-stack, frontend, mobile, DevOps/SRE/platform, data engineering, ML/LLM, embedded/firmware, graphics, game dev, security, DevRel, UX/UI, product management, and business/market development.
  • Many senior, staff, principal, and ex-CTO/VP-level candidates; a smaller but notable group of juniors, bootcamp grads, and students seeking internships or first roles.
  • Several ex-founders and early employees from YC startups, fintechs, and other high-growth companies; some with strong academic background (PhDs in engineering, math, physics, ML, neuroscience, etc.).

Technologies & domains

  • Heavy concentration in modern web stacks: TypeScript/JavaScript, React/Next.js/Vue, Node/Nest, Django/FastAPI/Flask, Ruby on Rails, Laravel, .NET, Java/Spring, Go, Rust.
  • Strong presence of infrastructure skills: Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, AWS/Azure/GCP, CI/CD, observability, SRE, DBRE, networking, security.
  • Specialized areas include embedded systems, robotics, AR/VR/spatial computing, graphics/GL/WebGPU, compilers, cryptography/blockchain, HPC, and databases/Postgres optimization.
  • Common industry domains: fintech/payments/trading, healthcare/medtech, climate and energy, logistics, gaming, media/streaming, edtech, civic tech, and devtools.

AI & ML focus

  • Very large subset focused on AI/ML/LLMs: RAG systems, agentic workflows, evaluation/guardrails, diffusion models, document intelligence, NLP, computer vision, MLOps, and GPU training/inference.
  • Some specialize in AI productization and AI infra; others focus on applied ML in verticals such as healthcare, energy, security, legaltech, and finance.
  • A minority explicitly prefer non‑AI work or express ambivalence about current “AI everything” trends.

Location & work preferences

  • Global distribution: US, Canada, Europe (especially UK, Germany, Netherlands, Eastern Europe), Latin America, Africa, Middle East, India, and SE Asia.
  • Strong overall preference for fully remote; many specify acceptable timezones and are accustomed to async, distributed teams.
  • Relocation willingness varies widely—from strictly “no” to open globally, often with conditions (visa, family, or specific regions).

Engagement types & tone

  • Mix of full-time job seekers, contractors/freelancers, fractional CTO/PM/architects, small agencies, and consultants.
  • Many emphasize early-stage startups, high ownership, and “0→1” product building; some want stability and “boring” backend work.
  • Thread tone is largely constructive and optimistic, with occasional frustration about hiring practices, market conditions, or modern dev culture (Agile, AI-assisted coding).