4 scary hiring mistakes haunting US Tech employers

Don’t let your hiring strategy become a cautionary tale. With hiring halts, AI disruption, and the eerie disappearance of entry-level tech roles, the US tech job market feels more haunted than ever. Discover what’s keeping talent leaders up at night and what they’re prioritizing to stay competitive in today’s shifting landscape.

US’s Tech hiring nightmare: Why employers need to wake up

It’s a chilling time in the US tech sector and not just because Halloween is near. As recent reports from outlets like CNBC suggest, once-stable career paths for computer science grads are disappearing, and hiring strategies that worked last year may now be obsolete.

Keep reading for four key insights to help you steer clear of hiring horrors and build a resilient tech workforce.

The hiring nightmare unfolding in US Tech and what you can do about it

Inspired by Indeed’s “15 Considerations for Working in Tech”, this article highlights four critical hiring missteps that employers must avoid. As professionals working within the tech industry and organizations navigate AI disruption, remote work expectations, and shifting career trajectories, companies must evolve how they attract and retain top talent.

Here are the four most frightening hiring mistakes:

1. Misjudging the market

The US tech talent landscape has changed dramatically. As Brendon Bernard, senior economist at Indeed puts it, many positions are “losing steam” as companies increasingly prioritize efficiency, automation, and AI integration over labor-intensive development roles. Hiring halts, major layoffs, AI-driven role changes, and the decline of entry-level positions have reshaped the capabilities of the talent pool. As these shifts unfold, recognizing which roles are emerging and which are fading, along with where the competition is fiercest, is key to avoiding slow hiring cycles, poor matches, and wasted resources. Staying informed is essential to staying ahead.

2. Clinging to outdated hiring practices

Legacy hiring processes are pushing top tech talent away. Failing to manage expectations, communicate timelines clearly, and offer flexibility creates friction that today’s candidates won’t tolerate. Rigid requirements and slow communication not only damage your employer brand but also hurt candidate attraction and lead to poor onboarding experiences.

3. Overvaluing the weight of job titles

In today’s disrupted tech environment, titles don’t always reflect capability. With AI automating many entry-level tasks, traditional titles are becoming less relevant. Employers should assess candidates based on real-world skills, adaptability, and impact, not just credentials or past roles. Adaptability, in particular, is key. Look for talent that can adjust not only to industry shifts but also to the specific needs of your business. Overreliance on titles can result in poor hiring decisions and missed opportunities.

4. Overlooking retention warning signs

Many companies think the hiring process ends when a candidate starts a job, but retention needs to be part of their hiring strategy from day one. Tech professionals are on the move, and turnover is accelerating with an average range of 13% to 21% annually. High attrition disrupts projects, drains budgets, and weakens employer branding. Ghosting isn’t just a candidate issue; it’s often a sign of deeper retention challenges.

Companies that don’t offer clear career progression, flexibility, and meaningful work risk losing talent to more forward-thinking competitors.

What’s next for your team

The most frightening hiring mistake isn’t choosing the wrong candidate; it’s failing to reflect on the best hiring practices. Whether you're expanding AI capabilities, recovering from a hiring freeze, or trying to retain restless talent, your next move matters.

Hays experts are here to support you with salary insights, market trends, onboarding strategies, and more to help you hire with confidence and prepare for the future.

Connect with our Technology Recruitment Specialists today.