An HR Director at Softbinator Technologies argues that ATS and automated recruiting tools fail to identify true engineering talent. In 2026, with AI generating boilerplate code, the value of engineers has shifted toward problem-solving mindset and adaptability. The post outlines what markers recruiters should look for in entry-level candidates: personal projects, bootcamps, hackathons, academic honors, and extracurricular tech activities. It also notes that fewer students working part-time during college is now a normalization rather than a problem, as those years are better spent on activities that shape real engineering potential.
Table of contents
The New Normal: 2023 vs. 2026The Responsibility of the StudentThe Human Core in an Automated WorldWhy the standard recruiting is Failing Us703 Impressions