Tech Talent Drop - Edition 13

Welcome to Tech Talent Drop Edition 13!

Welcome to this week's Tech Talent Drop! As the tech hiring landscape evolves rapidly, staying informed about the latest trends and tools is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in recruitment and talent management. Let's dive into what's making waves this week.

The Drop 

In the past week, the tech industry experienced a significant shift as Microsoft announced it would no longer utilize engineers in China for Department of Defense contracts. This decision reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and a strategic pivot for the tech giant. For hiring managers, this might signal changes in skillset demands and potential shifts in recruitment strategies internationally.

Recruiters should monitor shifts in talent distribution, particularly in defense-related tech roles.

AI Tool of the Week 

Interviewer.ai — a new AI-powered tool offering automated resume scoring, skills assessment, and candidate pre-screening starting at ~$67/month. A solid pick for small teams aiming to streamline hiring.

Try it for fast, consistent early candidate screening.

Hiring/Interview Insight 

A recent study by the University of Maryland highlights the importance of behavioral interviews, revealing they increase hiring accuracy by 24%. Behavioral interviews focus on past experiences and can predict future performance better than traditional methods. Implement behavioral interviewing techniques to enhance candidate selection accuracy and reduce turnover.

Funding Watch 

Empirical Security — AI-driven cybersecurity — $12 M Seed, led by Costanoa Ventures with strategic backers including DNX, Sixty Degree Capital, HPA, and angel investors like Ed Bellis.

Hadrian — Defense-grade automated manufacturing — $260 M Series C, led by Founders Fund and Lux Capital, for expanding U.S. factory footprint

BQP (BosonQ Psi) — Quantum simulation software — $5 M Seed, led by Monta Vista Capital, focused on engineering digital twins.

Blockskye — Blockchain-powered corporate travel — $15.8 M Undisclosed round, led by Blockchange and enterprise travel VC partners.

AWAKE Chocolate — Caffeinated snacks tech — $8 M CAD (~$6 M USD) growth round led by Btomorrow Ventures & BDC Capital.

These companies are likely to expand their teams, creating new opportunities for tech professionals and recruiters alike.

Quick Bytes 

- Google tops the new embedding model leaderboard; Alibaba closes the gap. Read more 

- Astronomer CEO resigns following a scandal. Read more 

- OpenAI's red team fortifies ChatGPT's security. Read more 

- Microsoft to stop using Chinese engineers for Department of Defense work. Read more 

One to Watch: The rise of collaborative software tools like Coda, indicating increased demand for remote and hybrid work solutions.

That’s all for this week’s Tech Talent Drop — stay informed, and see you next week! 🚀