Tech leaders keep talking about 'spikes.' Here's how to find yours.
Tech industry leaders are increasingly prioritizing 'spiky' candidates who possess deep expertise in a single skill rather than generalists. This hiring trend is driven by a competitive job market and the shifting nature of work in the age of AI.
Why it matters
It signals a fundamental shift in corporate recruitment strategies that job seekers must adapt to by identifying and highlighting their unique, specialized strengths.
Leaders from HubSpot, Meta, and Ramp have shared their preference for spiky candidates. Brad Barket/Getty Images for ONWARD17; Wally Skalij/Getty Images; Kelly Sullivan/Getty Images for TechCrunch Leaders from HubSpot, Meta, Ramp, and more have said they look for candidates with specific strengths. Some call these strengths "spikes." The tech leaders say they often hire spiky applicants, rather than well-rounded ones . Career coaches told Business Insider how candidates can find what their "spike" is. To stand out in this job market, think like a porcupine. Hiring leaders are on a "spike" kick, dropping the term on podcasts and social-media posts. These recruiters aim for employees who lead in one skill, rather than those who are well-rounded. Shopify's Tobi Lütke and Coinbase's Brian Armstrong have agreed with the theory of spikiness.
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