GroupTalent Hacks The Hiring Process For Tech Talent In SF And NYC

SEATTLE - April 24, 2013 - PRLog -- SEATTLE, WA - GroupTalent <http://grouptalent.com/>, the talent-matching platform that makes it easier for tech talent and employers to find each other, is doubling down its efforts on fixing the broken hiring process for in-demand developers and designers. A series of new features, including a recruiter spam filter and stronger focus on contract-to-hire opportunities, directly addresses some of the chief frustrations felt by talent and employers.

GroupTalent encourages developers and designers to engage in multiple contract-to-hire opportunities before settling on a long-term position. Unlike sites that focus only on contract opportunities, GroupTalent takes full-time positions with companies and turns them into enticing initial engagements. In addition, GroupTalent is based on a proprietary “eHarmony-like” algorithm that uncovers strong matches between talent and employers.  

These try-out periods empower developers and designers to get to know a company, product team, and position before they commit to a full-time position. This model helps ensure better hiring fits and happy, long-term employees.

“We’re trying to fix a broken hiring process. A four-hour interview where a developer writes code on a white board is insufficient for determining if someone will be a good fit for the company, or even if they’re a good developer,” said Manny Medina, GroupTalent CEO. “In many ways, these contract-to-hire opportunities are hacking the hiring process by bringing value to both employers and talent.”

With GroupTalent’s new spam filter, developers are given a job inquiry inbox and @grouptalent email address that can filter out unsolicited or irrelevant emails received from recruiters and HR managers. While Gmail or other mail programs have filters for commercial spam, GroupTalent can filter out “job spam”…for example, the numerous solicitations that developers receive that lack key details, are for a different skillset or tech stack, or are below a developer’s pay scale.

The GroupTalent platform reviews every solicitation sent to a developer’s @grouptalent.com email and compares the opportunity with that individual’s defined preferences for subject matter, tech stack, timing, and compensation. Good opportunities are surfaced to the top, letting developers find those “golden needles” without having to dig through a haystack of emails.

This email concierge service is completely free to talent. Developers and designers receive a $500 referral bonus if another community member accepts an opportunity they passed on.  

The service benefits hiring companies as it helps employers engage talent with the right information the first time. GroupTalent gives employers valuable feedback on why developers may be turning down their opportunities.

In addition, GroupTalent is narrowing its focus to San Francisco and New York City after finding that companies are best served by local talent. While GroupTalent accepts projects from anywhere in the world, by focusing on cities with the greatest density of talent employers benefit from access to uniquely thriving community of local developers and designers.

About GroupTalent 


GroupTalent connects companies with top engineering and design talent in San Francisco and New York City. A unique matching engine pairs talent with relevant short-term, long-term, and contract-to-hire opportunities. GroupTalent is currently working with over 5,000 developers and designers on pre-vetted, engaging opportunities. Based in Seattle, WA, GroupTalent has received seed funding from Version One Ventures and Founders Co-op, with contribution from Menlo Ventures.