Insights from an SE-Leader-Turned-Recruiter: Why Classic Job Hunting is Dead
In this second part of our conversation with Raphael Joseph, former SE turned recruiter and founder of Brando Tech, Jack Cochran and Matthew James dive deep into why traditional job hunting methods no longer work in today's market. Raphael shares strategic insights on how SEs should approach job searching in 2025, treating themselves as products and leveraging their natural skills to navigate the competitive landscape.
IMPORTANT: This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Make sure to listen to Part 1 first for the complete discussion on personal branding and LinkedIn optimization.
To join the show live, follow the Presales Collective's LinkedIn page or join the PSC Slack community for updates. The show is bi-weekly on Tuesdays, 8AM PT/11AM ET/4PM GMT.
Follow the Hosts
Connect with Jack Cochran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackcochran/
Connect with Matthew James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewyoungjames/
Connect with Raphael Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-joseph-23044150/
Links and Resources Mentioned
Join Presales Collective Slack: https://www.presalescollective.com/slack
Episode Sponsor: Opine - https://tryopine.com
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome
04:42 What is "classic job hunting" and why it's dead
11:52 How to get on recruiters' radar
13:33 Starting your job search the right way
21:04 Treating job hunting like account management
27:23 Interview process changes and AI requirements
30:30 Why it's not a numbers game anymore
Key Topics Covered
The Death of Classic Job Hunting
Why sending CVs to job postings no longer works
How companies receive hundreds of applications they can't process
The cycle of posting jobs, failing to hire, then using recruiters
Why your application often goes unread
The New Digital Job Hunting Approach
Treating yourself as a product you're selling
Building warm leads with hiring managers
Using SE skills for job hunting: research, discovery, and value proposition
The importance of targeted, high-touch approaches over spray-and-pray
Working with Recruiters Effectively
Why good recruiters provide 1-in-3 odds vs 1-in-300 direct applications
How recruiters can prep you with insider knowledge
The value of having internal champions in the hiring process
Market Dynamics in 2025
Why it's now an employer's marketThe shift from growth-at-all-costs to profitability focus
How COVID overhiring led to current oversupply of candidates
AI's impact on hiring decisions and productivity expectations
Interview Strategy in the Current Market
Companies' increased specificity in requirements
Why "must-haves" are truly must-haves now
The importance of AI literacy and demonstrable skills
How to address gaps in your experience strategically
Leveraging SE Skills for Job Hunting
Using research abilities to identify opportunities
Applying discovery skills to understand company needs
Creating value propositions for yourself as a candidate
Avoiding the same mistakes SEs coach AEs to avoid
Presales Podcast by Presales Collective
Presales Podcast by Presales Collective is a podcast dedicated to growing the Solution Consulting community. We aim to provide presales professionals with the resources, knowledge, network, and mentorship to develop long, impactful careers.
On the Presales Podcast, you’ll hear from global presales leaders, top individual contributors, industry experts, enablement professionals, and entrepreneurs who have developed products for our profession.
- No. of episodes: 150
- Latest episode: 2025-06-02
- Business Technology
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