Stop Overthinking AI: What Recruiters Actually See When You Apply
Most ATS systems are far less advanced than candidates think. A former Meta and Google recruiter explains what actually gets your resume noticed—and what gets ignored.
The Wellfound Blog
Practical advice for finding startup work, hiring exceptional teams, and building companies that last.
Latest articles
The Unfiltered Guide to Getting Hired: Unconventional Wisdom from Tech Leaders
Startup founders reveal what actually gets candidates hired: ownership, drive, and real-world problem solving—not perfect resumes. Here’s how to stand out.
Beyond the Resume: What Are Founders Really Looking for in Potential Hires?
Startup founders care less about resumes and more about traits like ownership, curiosity, and resilience. Here’s how to show what actually gets you hired.
The Art of the Conversational Interview: Expert Interview Tips from Arielle Salman-Bailey Recruiter
A recruiter from Warner Bros. Discovery and Chainlink shares practical conversational interview tips—from handling tough questions to standing out authentically.
Proof Beats Polish: How to Stand Out When 500 People Apply — From WRITER AI’s Chase Johnson, formerly @ Replit
When 500 candidates apply, resumes aren’t enough. A WRITER recruiter explains why proof of work, side projects, and smart outreach are what actually get you hired.
From the Founder | The Pokémon World Finalist and League of Legends Pro Who Met at Stanford and Built AI for Banks
Two competitive gamers turned founders built an AI banking startup used by top SBA lenders. Inside their hiring philosophy, culture, and lessons for candidates.
Recruiters on AI: Boolean in 30 Seconds, Deepfakes in the Interview
Three startup recruiters break down how they actually use AI—from Boolean automation to deepfake risks—and why human judgment still decides who gets hired.
How to Double Your Interview Rate: What 500,000 Job Applications Revealed
Based on 500K+ job applications, this guide breaks down what actually increases interview rates—tailored resumes, focused applications, and where to apply for better results.
Should You Bother With a Cover Letter? Recruiters Weigh In
Do cover letters actually matter? We asked startup recruiters. Their answers vary—but the pattern is clear on when to write one, skip it, and what actually helps.
From the Founder | From Zero to $1B: The Typeface Growth Story
Why Work Here is a series in which Amit Matani, CEO of Wellfound, has honest, behind-the-scenes conversations with founders, executives, and employees about why their companies are worth joining.
Startup Technical Recruiting: What Actually Gets You Past the Resume Screen
"Startups want specific skills over generic passion, timing matters more than perfect applications, and your story needs to explain why you're applying — not just what you can do," says Mary Kypreos, who has been recruiting for open-source and startup tech companies for over a decade.
From the Founder | Stop Chasing Pedigrees: A Startup Hiring Reality Check
"The startup hiring playbook has a dirty secret: chasing engineers with Google and Meta badges on their LinkedIn profiles might be sabotaging your team."
How Sourcers Actually Find Candidates: An Insider's Guide to Getting Discovered
Sourcing is a keyword-driven game across multiple platforms. Optimize your online presence like a search engine, reach out to hiring managers directly rather than going through recruiters, and understand that your years of experience can work against you if you're targeting more junior roles.
From the Founder | How to Identify Self-Aware Candidates: The Interview Question That Reveals Everything
Here's a discovery from Siqi Chen, CEO and CFO of Runway, who has built one of the most effective teams in fintech: "There is not a person on the planet who would not say they're high agency."
The Hidden Truth About Interview Prep: What Most Recruiters Won't Tell You About Self-Advocacy
Veteran recruiter Jenna Pilja reveals why candidates should stop waiting for companies to level the playing field and start demanding transparency from the first screening call. Her advice: ask directly for interview prep guides, reasonable accommodations, and honest feedback—because most job seekers never even try.
From the Founder | The Moment Everything Changed: How Personal Trauma Drives the Best Startups
This article was created using quotes from multiple episodes of "Why Work Here," a series in which Amit Matani, CEO of Wellfound, has honest, behind-the-scenes conversations with founders, executives, and employees about why their companies are worth joining.
From the Founder | Why Smart Founders Are Moving Beyond "Many Hats" to True Ownership
This article draws on multiple "Why Work Here" interviews with founders and CEOs about what makes startup cultures succeed long-term—specifically, how true ownership differs from simply juggling multiple responsibilities.
From the Founder | The Bloomberg Terminal for Labor: How Revelio Labs Is Revolutionizing Workforce Intelligence
Ben Zweig doesn't mince words when describing his vision for Revelio Labs: "I think this could be one of the most consequential companies in the world."